New musicals showcase BEAM announces pitching dates across the UK

Exclusive: BEAM2027 has announced a nationwide search for new musicals, with pitching days taking place across the UK ahead of the biennial showcase next year.

Run by Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) and Musical Theatre Network (MTN), BEAM2027 will take place at Royal and Derngate, Northampton, on 20 and 21 May 2027, presenting up to 40 musicals selected from more than 300 expected submissions.

The selection process will begin with 22 pitching days between 8 September and 7 December 2026 in 14 towns and cities across the UK. Creative teams will have ten minutes to present their work to industry panels featuring producers, programmers and artistic directors. All pitching teams will also receive development feedback, supported by funding from PRS Foundation.

Confirmed pitching days include Leeds Playhouse (8 September), Cecil Sharp House in London (29 September), Birmingham Hippodrome (1 October), Theatro Technis in London (5 October), Bristol Old Vic (7 October), Hoxton Hall in London (17 October), Southwark Playhouse (18 October), Royal and Derngate in Northampton (21 October), MAST Mayflower Studios in Southampton (22 October), The Lowry in Salford (26 October), Watford Palace Theatre (28 October), Upstairs at the Gatehouse in London (2 November), Liverpool Everyman (4 November), Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff (13 November), Barnfield Theatre in Exeter (17 November) and Capital Theatres in Edinburgh (7 December). Additional pitching days at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, The Exchange Twickenham, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Stratford East, Talawa Studio at Fairfield Halls and Kiln Theatre will be announced.

More than 150 musicals have been presented at previous BEAM showcases, with over 60 per cent going on to receive full productions or further development. Past titles include Operation Mincemeat, Hot Mess, A History of Paper and Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York).

Alongside the pitching days, a free online advice session for applicants will be held on 1 September 2026, while networking events for musical theatre creatives are planned at Birmingham Hippodrome (1 October) and Capital Theatres, Edinburgh (7 December). A BEAM alumni event will also take place in London on 30 November 2026.

Applications for pitching slots are now open.