MTFestUK 2021 showcases eight new musicals

Initially hosted at London’s Turbine Theatre in Battersea, MTFestUK 2021 is one of the major events aiming to reignite the theatre scene after lockdown, delivering a mix of live and digital musical performances. 

From 17 - 29 May, the live shows are a chance for audiences to enjoy musical theatre in person again. Following this, the musicals will go on the ‘digital road’ at 12 national venues from 31 May to 4 July. Here is a glimpse at the eight musicals on offer.

• ‘Far From Heaven’ boasts a jazz-inflected score and is an adaptation of Todd Haynes’s 2002 film of the same name set in the 1950s.
• ‘#50days’ is a grime musical set in 1641 that follows King Charles and its creator Thabo Stuck describes it as “an interpretation of British history told through the eyes of underrepresented Brits today.” 
• ‘The Man in the Ceiling’ is a collaboration between Jules Feiffer, the Pulitzer-Prize-winning cartoonist and celebrated author, and Tony-nominated composer-lyricist Andrew Lippa. It is an “uplifting tale about following your creative passion against all odds.”
• ‘Cake’, in the vein of smash Broadway hit Hamilton, combines rap and RnB with 18th century France to retell the story of Marie Antoinette that sparked a revolution.
• ‘Housefire’ is described as an ‘eco rock musical’ that follows a trio of endangered animals who form a rock band to protest against the climate crisis.
• ‘Millennials’ turns up the microphone on the lives, the losses and the frustrations of young people in the modern world and “runs the gamut of modern pop music”
• ‘Proud’ follows David, who is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality and enters the setting of “a conversion camp for gay men”.
• ‘Tony! A Tony Blair Rock Opera’ is described as a “hilarious tragedy of political intrigue, religion, power and romance all set to rockin’ tunes”.

MTFestUK 2021 is leading the way for a new reality in the post-covid theatre scene. As we come out of lockdown, theatres must be able to organise performances that are both in-person and accessible online for audiences. 

You can book tickets for MTFestUK 2021 here.