Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport Written Evidence


Memorandum from Stephen Daltry

  I would like to make a personal submission to the committee to emphasise the importance of musical theatre in our culture today. I am a member of BASCA and a Mercury Musical Developments associate, and I believe it is vitally important for new writing for musical theatre to be given the space and financial support it needs to flourish. I do earnestly believe that there are tomorrow's Cole Porters, Lionel Barts, Jerome Kerns out there, that bodies like Mercury Musical Developments allow us to hone our craft as writers and their recent "the Works" at the Arts Theatre gave opportunities for young writers to see their work staged.

  There is a current trend to have themed musicals that are based around the lives of popstars, such as Queen and Rod Stewart, but there is a real hunger for musicals with a strong story and melodies that touch the heart—as "Anything Goes" is at the moment—and this art form should receive due recognition.

  Writers need a space, they need a chance.

  Please remember musical theatre and please support those bodies like the Bridewell and MMD that are offering real opportunities for many writers.

25 November 2003


 
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