WOS Radio: Experts Debate British Musical Future

This is a full recording of the post-show Q&A hosted by Whatsonstage.com at the West End’s Trafalgar Studios 2 on the opening night (25 November 2008) of this year’s Perfect Pitch, the showcase for homegrown musicals, which is supported for a second year by Whatsonstage.com (See News, 11 Nov 2008).

An industry panel comprising director/composer/lyricist and book writer Jeremy Sams (The Sound of Music, 13, Spend Spend Spend), executive producer of Old Vic Productions Joseph Smith (Billy Elliot), and Notes from New York co-founder and musical theatre actor Paul Spicer sought to answer the question: What does the future hold for the development of new British musical theatre?

Highlights of the half-hour discussion, chaired by Whatsonstage.com editorial director Terri Paddock, included: a discussion of the different musical styles on both sides of the Atlantic, thoughts on class and other themes that characterise Britishness, a debate about the scarcity of public funding for musicals, the Saturday night TV effect in making musicals fashionable, and experiences transferring Billy Elliot to Broadway.

For more information on this year’s six new showcased musicals, extracts of which are performed in rep at Trafalgar Studios 2 until 29 November, and Perfect Pitch’s other year-round activities, visit www.perfectpitchmusicals.com or call the box office on 0871 297 5461.

Thanks for listening!