News: MTFestUK returns to the Turbine Theatre from 1 to 13 February 2021 plus new dates announced for Cinderella: The Socially Distanced Ball and Hair the Musical

MTFestUK will return to the Turbine Theatre from 1 to 13 February 2021, it has been announced, with new dates also provided for Cinderella: The Socially Distanced Ball and Hair the Musical (In Concert).

Paul Taylor-Mills launched the inaugural MTFestUK season in February 2019 at The Other Palace, followed by a second season at the Turbine Theatre in February 2020. A celebration of new musical theatre from around the world, MTFestUK is set to return next year.

MTFestUK will follow the Turbine Theatre’s first pantomime, Cinderella: The Socially Distanced Ball, which will now run from 3 December to 23 December 2020 and Hair the Musical (In Concert), directed by Arlene Phillips, will now run at Southampton Mayflower Theatre on the 14 and 15 January, and at The London Palladium on 16 January 2021.

Paul Taylor-Mills, Artistic Director at the Turbine Theatre said “There’s no denying that 2020 has been an impossible year for everyone, but particularly those who are passionate about getting new work off the ground. When we finally come back to a ‘new normal’ it’s going to be crucial that we continue to shine a spotlight on new work and the people that make it.  With this in mind, I’m so proud that we’re able to ensure that MTFestUK returns for its third year.

When I started the festival, it was a way of putting new work in front of an audience to see if it resonated, and for writers to explore what might be practical next steps. I’m thrilled that out of the seventeen musicals presented in our first two years, seven of them are now in further development or moving towards full-scale productions.

If you have a new musical or indeed an existing musical that has needs a re-think then we want to hear from you”.

MTFestUK revels in the diversity of stories on stage and the people who make the work. It sets out to promote quality artistry with a view to showcasing and elevating projects to full production, giving audiences an insight into the process of creating new work and into the art of collaboration. The festival promotes the best of new British work and at the same time forges overseas partnerships and finds new ways to share processes and artists.

MTFestUK is for both industry professionals and the theatregoing public. At the centre of the festival are eight presentations of new musicals, all presented in a semi-staged fashion.

Submissions are now open with shows for consideration to be sent to submissions@paultaylormills.com.

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