Musical Writers Workshop Weekends 2008

September 20-21

October 25-26

November 22-23

December 12-13

Musical Writers Workshop Weekends 2009

January 24-25

February 21-22

March 21-22

April 18-19

May 16-17

June 13-14

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION TO THEATRE BUILDING CHICAGO'S MUSICAL THEATRE WRITERS WORKSHOP 9/1/08

John Sparks Artistic Director of Theatre Building Chicago has been invited to teach a master class at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe!

GEORGE SQUARE THEATRE TO BE CENTRE FOR

A FESTIVAL OF MUSICAL THEATRE

DURING EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE 2008

For the first time in the Fringe’s history, Edinburgh has a dedicated home for Musical Theatre with 29 new musicals and a wealth of concerts, masterclasses and cabaret across four performance spaces. Complemented by a musical singer’s café and bar, musical theatre shop, talks, and showcases. Musical Theatre @ George Square will be THE place to be this Festival. Almost a Festival within a Festival – the Edinburgh Festival of Musical Theatre.

Included in the 26 world and European premieres we have Keith Jack (BBC’s Any Dream Will Do) leading a company of 30 in the epic WW2 love story by Matt Brind ONLY THE BRAVE; the theatrical stage premiere of Trey Parker’s cult precursor to South Park, CANNIBAL; the premiere of DEPARTURE LOUNGE by Dougal Irvine the Brits On Tour musical; the European premiere of a one-woman musical QUEEN OF WYOMING, the world premiere of Boston Jazzman Stan Strickland’s multi-instrumental COMING UP FOR AIR, and direct from Chicago Shakespeare Theatre FUNK IT UP ABOUT NOTHIN’ from the creators of Bomb itty Of Errors. Plus children/family shows with HISTORY OF SCOTLAND, MR STOURWORM, and FAERIES, musical comedy with MISS SIGN-ON, JET SET GO! and BIG BRUVVA premieres HERE!

We have new work being created for the Festival by Edinburgh based John and Gerry Kielty of the Martians (winners of the Highland Quest MacMusical contest), Londoner Susannah Pearse (winner of the New York Musical Festival Best New American Musical award 2007), and Belfast born Conor Mitchell (winner of the Best composer award at NYMF and the Arts Foundation awards). Alongside these applauded writers there are new works in showcase and production by 15 other writing teams from Korea, Denmark, Boston, Stornoway, Aberdeen, Off-Broadway, Wyoming, Boston, Bristol, Liverpool, Glasgow and London.

And of course musical theatre is not all we have to offer this Fringe Festival. We have the return of Dr Bunhead with CRASH TEST JELLY BABIES…guaranteed to have plenty of educational explosions!!

And after the success of the 5 star performance of MACBETH by Teatr Biuro Prodozy at the Old College Quad last year, we are proud to announce that we have an equally as breath taking show….PHANTOMYSTERIA. Teatr Novogo Fronto brings us an apocalyptical allegorical open air performance quoted as being an ‘unrepeatable experience!’ Another must see form Edinburgh University Festivals this Fringe!

For contact details for all the producers and presenters please contact:

The Festivals Office at the number below.

Editors Notes:

The Festivals Office at the University of Edinburgh will be operating the venue in partnership with Chris Grady.org with technical power from Anthony Alderson and his highly renowned team at Pleasance Theatre. Chris was previously Head of Licensing of Cameron Mackintosh; he founded Musical Theatre Matters (MTM:UK) in 2005 and established the first Edinburgh Festival Fringe MTM:UK Musical Theatre Awards in 2007.

MUSICAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PRESENTATIONS

October 22-Nov. 6 The Magic Ofrenda
New Musicals for Kids

October 27
Twist of Fate
Monday Night Musical

November 24
The Scotch Verdict, Monday Night Musical

January 9
On The Brink
Monday Night Musical

February 18-March 5
The Adventures of Anansi the Spider, New Musicals for Kids

February 23
40 is the New 15, Monday Night Musical

April 20
Daughter of Beijing
Monday Night Musical

April 29-May 14 The Reluctant Dragon
New Musicals for Kids

May 18
My Dead Irish Mother, Monday Night Musical

August 21-23 STAGES 2009