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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2016 18:17:27 GMT
I'm currently writing a musical which will require quite a large cast (probably at least 20). Of course I'm not an established writer, which means my show will most likely start out in the fringe/off-west end scene. So my question is what are the best fringe or off-west end venues in London that can accommodate such a large cast? I've been looking for good places on-line and so far I've come up with The Charing Cross Theatre, Bridewell Theatre, Southwark Playhouse, Network Theatre. (And possibly the Union Theatre?). Any other ideas?
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Post by couldileaveyou on Oct 20, 2016 18:43:27 GMT
Menier?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2016 18:55:58 GMT
I always thought that was quite a big theatre because there are often quite big productions there, like Funny Girl. |
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Post by couldileaveyou on Oct 20, 2016 19:13:22 GMT
I always thought that was quite a big theatre because there are often quite big productions there, like Funny Girl. It doesn't even have 200 seats! it is a Fringe/Off West End theatre, even if the price of the tickets is almost like West End. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2016 19:52:03 GMT
I always thought that was quite a big theatre because there are often quite big productions there, like Funny Girl. It doesn't even have 200 seats! it is a Fringe/Off West End theatre, even if the price of the tickets is almost like West End. I'll definitely have to look into that then  |
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Post by DuchessConstance on Oct 20, 2016 21:39:43 GMT
Depends what you can afford - do you have funding or a production company yet? The production company will realistically be the one making the decision who to pitch the show to based on their own connections. Unless you plan to self-produce (in which case places like the Menier are out) but that costs tens of thousands of pounds.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2016 21:53:45 GMT
Depends what you can afford - do you have funding or a production company yet? The production company will realistically be the one making the decision who to pitch the show to based on their own connections. Unless you plan to self-produce (in which case places like the Menier are out) but that costs tens of thousands of pounds. We don't have any funding or a production company yet, but we'll start looking for a production company really soon. I thought it would be nice to be able to tell the producers we approach what we expect from a production, which is why I'm currently looking at theatres that could possibly accommodate us, but are still reasonably priced (as far as that's possible in London). |
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Post by DuchessConstance on Oct 20, 2016 22:07:29 GMT
Talk to Tanya Link - they produced one of my shows and are really lovely.
It's a shame the deadline for Vault is passed, and for Park's programme, both of those are pretty good. Though I have to admit musicals are not my area.
Regarding cost, I personally would not go down the hire route unless you absolutely have no other choice, not for a large cast musical. Either look for a theatre that will offer BO split (I have a list of theatres that offer it on at home) or ideally a theatre that will programme it themselves. If you plan to pitch it to theatres in the latter category it's more important to understand and be able to make an argument for how your show would fit their artistic ethos. Are there any theatres in London where you've seen similar styles of work?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2016 22:21:11 GMT
Talk to Tanya Link - they produced one of my shows and are really lovely. It's a shame the deadline for Vault is passed, and for Park's programme, both of those are pretty good. Though I have to admit musicals are not my area. Regarding cost, I personally would not go down the hire route unless you absolutely have no other choice, not for a large cast musical. Either look for a theatre that will offer BO split (I have a list of theatres that offer it on at home) or ideally a theatre that will programme it themselves. If you plan to pitch it to theatres in the latter category it's more important to understand and be able to make an argument for how your show would fit their artistic ethos. Are there any theatres in London where you've seen similar styles of work? Thanks, I'll contact them. I think the problem is that the vast majority of fringe and off-west end theatres don't have a big enough stage to accommodate such a big cast. One of the smaller theatres doing that right now though is the Charing Cross. But they are working with well-known West End actors and they're doing existing shows. I think it will be hard to get them to do a completely new musical, especially as a very first production. I think we should first do a sort of off-off west end run first. But of course with the size of the cast we'll need a rather large stage, but that usually means the theatre itself will be bigger too, which means a lot more expensive. I think so far the Network Theatre, Bridewell Theatre and New Wimbledon studio would be the top contenders for a very first production. They seem to have fairly big performance spaces, but not too many seats. |
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Post by DuchessConstance on Oct 20, 2016 22:29:40 GMT
Maybe the Pleasance in Islington? They have a fairly big stage but it's still a fringe venue and they do a real range of stuff. V keen to engage with new writing/new talent too and opportunities via things like Pleasance Scratch.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2016 7:47:27 GMT
Maybe the Pleasance in Islington? They have a fairly big stage but it's still a fringe venue and they do a real range of stuff. V keen to engage with new writing/new talent too and opportunities via things like Pleasance Scratch. Thanks. I'll look into that |
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Post by notmymuse on Oct 21, 2016 14:44:33 GMT
Maybe the Pleasance in Islington? They have a fairly big stage but it's still a fringe venue and they do a real range of stuff. V keen to engage with new writing/new talent too and opportunities via things like Pleasance Scratch. Thanks. I'll look into that Pleasance absolutely seconded. Very large for an off west end theatre. Depends how far out you're willing to go I guess, Broadway in Catford was where Thom Southerland staged a lot of his early stuff and that's not done him any harm. Greenwich Theatre, Leicester Square and the theatre at ArtsEd (which is lovely and pretty new and right near the Tabard which may even do) all also worth a look. |
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Post by welcometodreamland on Oct 22, 2016 13:26:44 GMT
I've not been to many but I have two so far that I've visited.
I'm doing a WritersLab course at Soho Theatre and I'm really liking it there. Good atmosphere and vibe, as well as showcasing new talent with a diverse range.
Rose Theatre in Kingston is pretty good too.
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Post by joem on Oct 22, 2016 22:11:00 GMT
Upstairs at the Gate in Highgate is quite large I think. The Coronet on Notting Hill Gate too.
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