Plans for next UK Musical Theatre Conference confirmed

Exclusive: Musical Theatre Network and Mercury Musical Developments have confirmed that the next UK Musical Theatre Conference will be held on 15 April 2026 at Soho Theatre Walthamstow in London.

The annual event brings together practitioners working on the development of new musicals in the UK for discussion, debate and networking, with a programme built around formal panel sessions.

The conference is produced jointly by both organisations, who also collaborate on BEAM, the biennial industry showcase of new musicals (which has led to hits like Operation Mincemeat and Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York), both currently running on Broadway). The 2026 gathering moves to Soho Theatre Walthamstow, the 960-seat venue that opened in May 2025 following restoration by Waltham Forest Council with Soho Theatre.

The shift is intended to increase capacity following the sold-out 2024 conference at the Royal Court, which saw its largest attendance to date and featured speakers including Nica Burns, SpitLip, Nancy Medina, David Byrne, Ameena Hamid, David Brownlee, Anoushka Lucas, DJ Walde, Janie Dee and Jon Gilchrist.

Tickets will go on sale in January, with further details to follow.

Musical Theatre Network and Mercury Musical Developments are National Portfolio Organisations supported by Arts Council England.