Theatre News

Nominees for WhatsOnStage supported MTN Awards announced in Edinburgh

The shortlist has been revealed for the only awards at the Edinburgh Fringe dedicated to musical theatre

Nominations have been announced for the 2013 Musical Theatre Network (MTN) Awards, proudly supported by WhatsOnStage.

The Awards, formerly known as the Musical Theatre Matters Awards, aim to highlight the best new musical theatre at the Edinburgh Fringe.

This year’s nominated shows are:

A Theory of Justice: the Musical! from DEM Productions
Arthur’s Quest: A Medieval Musical from Augment Productions
The Bloody Ballad from Gagglebabble and Theatr Iolo
The Bridge from Benjamin Scheuer (New York)
I Need a Doctor: The Unauthorised Whosical Adventure from Stormy Teacup Theatre Ltd
Julie Madly Deeply from Sarah-LouiseYoung & Michael Roulston – Festival Highlights
The Life and Times of Victor Biktrakarawitz from Pigeon Incest
Music Show – Wedding! from PMC Productions (Korea)
The Road to Qatar! from Aria Entertainment
Snakes! The Musical from Quite Nice Theatre
Take It Interns from 1945 Productions
This Was the World and I Was King from HookHitch Theatre

Caroline Routh, executive producer for Musical Theatre Network said: “Here at MTN we are keen to broaden the conversation about what musical theatre can be and so we are very excited about the diversity of work that our nominated shows demonstrate between them. It’s also great to see so many new shows of real quality being created.”

The shows nominated are being considered for Best Book, Best Music, Best Lyrics and Best Musical and the winners will be announced on 22 August at the New Town Theatre, George Street.

Laurie Sansom, the new artistic director and chief executive of the National Theatre of Scotland, will make the presentations.

Musical Theatre Network was set up in 2005 to meet an identified need for a forum to champion musical theatre and provide a resource for all those working in the genre.

In 2012, in partnership with Mercury Musical Developments, Musical Theatre Network became part of the Arts Council of England’s National Portfolio.

The MTN Awards are the only awards at the world’s largest arts festival that specifically reward the very best in musical theatre, thereby raising the profile of the work and the artists making it.

Previous winners – who include Michael Bruce (now Donmar Warehouse composer in residence), Arthur Darvill, Barbershopera and Hamlet the Musical – have gone on to great success, with their work being seen around the world including in New York, London and on national tour.

WhatsOnStage.com, the UK’s leading theatre website, is delighted to be the Musical Theatre Network Awards official media partner.

For more information on the Musical Theatre Network Awards, visit www.musicaltheatrenetwork.com