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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