BEAM Showcase

What is BEAM?
 
BEAM is the UK’s biggest showcase of new musical theatre. BEAM23 will be a live event. There will be pitches from a huge number of new musicals in development. This year BEAM will be held on 25th & 26th May 2023 at Oxford Playhouse. 
 
What is it for?
 
BEAM brings together presentations of new musicals in development, networking opportunities, and panel discussions. It is designed for anyone with an interest in new musical theatre, or in a position to help develop and stage new British musicals._
 
What is unique about BEAM?
 
What sets BEAM aside from other showcases of new work is that we have travelled around the UK to find the most exciting talent and emerging musical theatre projects, and bring them together in one place – this time in Northampton, giving a unique overview of new musical theatre from throughout the country. It’s the largest event of its kind in the UK – gathering together musical theatre writers, producers, directors, supporters and enthusiasts. To date more than 20 of the musicals shared at BEAM have gone on to be fully staged, and writers have found producers, venue partners, investors, agents and development partners as direct results from their presentations at BEAM._
 

How do I book a slot to pitch my musical for BEAM2023?
Pitching days for BEAM2023 have been completed, so keep an eye on the BEAM website for more information.

How can I book my ticket for BEAM2023?
Tickets will be on sale soon, so keep an eye out for more details.
 
 

LEARN MORE ABOUT BEAM   

 

BEAM2018 in pictures

Response Articles (BEAM2016 & BEAM2018)

Matt Hemley: “UK could ‘fill every stage’ with British musicals – Beam:2016 conference” Click HERE to read.

Mark Shenton: “Witnessing the birth of a new age of British musical theatre” Click HERE to read.

Terri Paddock: “British musical theatre has just had its Woodstock moment: I was there” Click HERE to read.

Kate Golledge: “#BEAM16 – What does it stand for?” Click HERE to read.

Quotes

“MTN and MMD worked tirelessly to bring BEAM2018 together. As well as showcasing excellent new work from fellow writers, BEAM2018 became a hotbed of discussion and debate around the future of new musical theatre in the UK and beyond. How exciting to be a part of a collective of artists so passionate about the art form. Finn Anderson, BEAM2018 Participant

“After our showcase of ‘The Season’ at BEAM2018 we found ourselves in conversation with several theatres and producers – conversations we could otherwise never have hoped to hold. As a result, two independent producers agreed to collaborate on the show, which will now receive its first production at Royal & Derngate, Northampton, and New Wolsey, Ipswich, in November 2019. We also secured an agent off the back of the event and subsequently won the Stiles & Drewe Mentorship Award – a monumental injection of energy which we might not have even applied for without the confidence and encouragement we derived from BEAM. It is almost impossible to exaggerate the significance that BEAM2018 had on our careers.”  Jim Barne & Kit Buchan, writers of ‘The Season’, BEAM2018 Participants

“BEAM2018 gave our new musical adaptation of William Nicholson’s ‘The Wind Singer’ a shop window in the musical theatre marketplace, at a very early stage, and before we knew it there were producers and publishers interested. The Royal Shakespeare Company have given us research and development time and the Hosking Houses Trust gave us somewhere to stay in Stratford – that’s the kind of incentive every writer needs. We are also now working with director Lotte Wakeham and will be doing a closed workshop for the RSC. Thank you BEAM!”  Teresa Howard & Sarah Llewellyn, writers of ‘The Wind Singer’, BEAM 2018 Participants

 

#BEAM2016 in pictures


BEAM2016 Tweets

Reasons to be cheerful about theatre no 1: #BEAM16. Diversity of stories, styles, talent overwhelming. And real commitment to staging them.”

#BEAM16 rocked! Massive thanks to @MercuryMusicals @MTheatreNetwork teams for running highest quality MT event in memory. Here’s to #BEAM18

#BEAM16 was a wonderful, really necessary event – proving musical theatre in Britain is as vibrant, daring and exciting as ever!”

BEAM16 lived up to its name. Shone a bright light on the state of musical theatre today and found imagination creativity and hope.”

#BEAM16 is unprecedented. What @MercuryMusicals @MTheatreNetwork are attempting is kind of a Cannes festival for musicals. Proud to be part.”

MTN gratefully acknowledges support and funding for BEAM2021 from Mercury Musical Developments, Hackney Empire, stream.theatre, Arts Council England, the PRS Foundation for Music, the Coach Jack Curran Trust, Youth Music and the Coral Samuel Charitable Foundation.

Musical Theatre Network is part of the Arts Council England National Portfolio in partnership with Mercury Musical Developments
Musical Theatre Network is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Partner supported by PPL

SUPPORTERS

Rebecca Applin
"Through the Resident Composer Scheme I have worked on an amazing variety of types of shows and platforms.  Meeting and working with lots of different directors and creatives has been incredibly valuable and I hope the start of collaborations that will carry on into the future."
Rebecca Applin

OUR TWEETS

@MTheatreNetwork

- 19 hours ago

Creating Consciously Panel 5: Inclusivity & Racial Diversity Date: Monday 26th June 7pm - 8.30pm  Location: Online Cost: Free to MTN members, £5 general Get involved in the conversation: 🎟 https://t.co/FpnQSj5Rt9
h J R
@MTheatreNetwork

- 1 day ago

Looking for something to listen to? In this ep of the @MusicalsMag Podcast, @seckerson talks to Jon Robyns about his journey from singing in the @natyouthchoir playing Jean Valjean in @lesmisofficial and now the new Phantom in @PhantomOpera. 🎧https://t.co/Rtlt09x4ZC https://t.co/WCilY5G5B5
h J R
@MTheatreNetwork

- 1 day ago

Delighted to welcome @MickeyJoTheatre to BEAM2023. Thank you for being there! https://t.co/EFEfwkhJA7
h J R