Lloyd Webber also dominates ownership of some of London's major theatres such as The London Palladium and Drury Lane Theatre.
In 2013 it is estimated that more than 8.5 million people will have seen West End musicals with a turnover of some £350 millions. So, Musical Theatre is big money - and big losses in some cases.
If you are a budding composer and creator of musical theatre you need to be realistic in your Strategy if you want to break into this highly competitive market. So, what is my advice ?
Firstly, understand that you need a large amount of funding - risk capital - even if you have a brilliant musical score and a great script. This first step will be very difficult. The dominant players will attract capital due to their reputation and contacts. It is doubtful if you an unknown will be able to do so !
Musicals are normally collaborative productions. You will find it difficult to attract collaborators or partners - so do not waste you time and effort trying to do so. I have found that we live in a Noreply Society - if you do try to contact prospects, they will almost certainly ignore you.
Success makes them aloof, selfish and unavailable - unless you are in their magic circle of like Prima Donas !
Success makes them aloof, selfish and unavailable - unless you are in their magic circle of like Prima Donas !
So, you must be realistic and modest in your expectations. What should you do then ?
STRATEGY FOR NEW MUSICALS
- Your musical must be tailored to a low cost flexible production such as - use effective lighting to maximize the appearance of sets. Do not suggest high cost stage scenery. Use lighting changes on simple sets
- Keep cast numbers within about 12 people to reduce artists costs with some multi roles for each member of the cast except the principal players.
- It goes without saying that your musical score and script must be original and very creative for a 2 hours long musical with a 20 minutes interval
- Make sure that the choreography is lively and appealing.
- Make sure that the cast wardrobes are colourful and low cost productions.
- Use recordings for your musical numbers - ie the themes and do not use costly musicians except where there is an amateur production.
KEY OBJECTIVES
In Stage 1 ignore any attempt to launch your musical onto the London Stage or any international musical theatre stages. You will fail !
Realise that the Market for Musical Theatre is in general as follows -
- Capital Theatres such as London and New York
- Major Provincial Cities Theatres and Groups.
- Minor Cities and Towns Theatres
- Suburban small theatres stages
- NODA - National Operatic and Dramatic Association Theatre Groups
- Amateur Theatres Production Groups
- Schools and Collages Theatre Groups
- Stage School Productions
- Online Internet Exposure and Downloads.
Your best option is to promote your new musical vis the NODA Members list and the Amateur Theatre Groups. If you succeed, you will gain considerable valuable experience at low financial risk. You can then tackle some of the other Market Segments as listed above.
At present there is a tendency fro productions to be The Golden Oldies - such as South Pacific, The King and I, 42nd Street, West Side Story and so on.
I believe that it is time to see on stage some new refreshing 21st Century Musicals. In order to create and encourage new talent in Britain for the benefit of the Arts in general, I also believe that it is good to break the dominance of the Big Two Composers.
At present there is a tendency fro productions to be The Golden Oldies - such as South Pacific, The King and I, 42nd Street, West Side Story and so on.
I believe that it is time to see on stage some new refreshing 21st Century Musicals. In order to create and encourage new talent in Britain for the benefit of the Arts in general, I also believe that it is good to break the dominance of the Big Two Composers.
PROMOTING THE NEW MUSICAL
If you have a low budget, I suggest that you concentrate your efforts on the main segments which I have listed as Stage 1 Priorities. You can use Direct Mail on a selective basis as well as the Internet - place a Video and Music on YouTube. Also invest in iTunes - Google Play - Virgin - Spotify and other Social Media sites. See my article The Online Digital Music Revolution 2013 for further helpful,hints.
If you are lucky, find a Champion who is impressed with your work and who will open doors for you in the Musical Theatre World.
BEST OF LUCK TO YOU.
