For two weeks in February, you can get a taste of new musical theatre at MT FEST UK at The Other Palace. The festival – brought to you by former Artistic Director of The Other Palace, Paul Taylor-Mills – will feature new work by both emerging and established writers. Plus, there will be talks and concerts from some of the most celebrated performers, writers and producers currently working in musical theatre.
At the heart of the festival will be a showcase of eight new musicals. Named the Taster Menu, this showcase will feature a 45-minute semi-staged production of each of the musicals. The shows being performed will range from brand new work commissioned by Paul to re-worked Broadway shows. The Taste Menu will include:
AA – a hilarious and tender musical from Olivier Award-winning composer Richard Thomas set within an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
Nerds – telling the story of the rise of computer technology and the two men that made it all possible: Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.
First Date – playing out in real-time, it tells the story of a blind-date newbie and a serial-dater meet for a casual drink that turns into a hilarious high-stakes dinner.
Porn The Musical – an anarchic musical that follows young Stefan who’s tranquil life on the island of Malta is shattered by a shock revelation so he heads to America for a fresh start. He’s soon making friends in an industry that might just take some getting used to.
But I’m A Cheerleader – the story of Megan, an all-American high school cheerleader who seems to have it all. But her friends and family suspect Megan is a lesbian, so send her packing to the True Directions rehabilitation camp to put her on the straight and narrow.
Bloody Bloody Jessica Fletcher – a musical parody. There’s been another gruesome murder in Cabot Cove! Should the police be called? The FBI? The CSI? Nope. We have a geriatric novelist on the case.
The Astonishing Return Of… The Protagonists – it follows a group of once mighty superheroes battling the forces of evil. But 20 years later, they find themselves battling the forces of thinning hair and menopause.
Killer Queen – combining rap and RnB with 18th century France to retell a story that sparked a revolution. When Marie Antoinette married King Louis, her reputation was already tarnished by gossip. But when she is implicated in a crime to defraud the crown jewellers of a diamond necklace, it is not just her reputation at stake, but the monarchy and France itself.
The festival will take place between 11 to 23 February and tickets will cost between £10-15.
To find out more, click here.