REWRITES is back and open for submissions
“Musical comedies aren’t written; they’re rewritten”- Stephen Sondheim
What is REWRITES?
REWRITES is a partnership programme led by Lowry, Birmingham Hippodrome, Mayflower Southampton, Norwich Theatre and Capital Theatres.
REWRITES champions bold new musicals that are ready to connect with audiences across the country, recognising touring as a crucial stage in a show’s development. By enabling productions to test, refine and strengthen their work in front of diverse audiences nationwide, REWRITES creates a clear pathway for ambitious new musicals, combining direct financial support with in-kind expertise from some of the UK’s leading theatre organisations.
Initiated by Lowry in 2017, musicals featured in REWRITES include: Jeezus! By Sergio Antonio Maggiolo, Ballad Lines by Finn Anderson and Tania Azevedo, Half Man Half Bull by Wright & Grainger, Chosen by Taiya Yoshida & Dominic Varney, Nel’s Place by Sheep Soup, No Miracles Here by The Letter Room, A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Sad) by Jon Brittain and Matthew Floyd Jones (Kathy & Stella) and Snowflake by Lewis Cornay. The award-winning West End and Broadway musical Operation Mincemeat started out at a scratch event as part of REWRITES.
When is REWRITES?
REWRITES platforms normally take place twice a year in Spring and Autumn. Our next opportunity is Autumn 2027. Dates TBC.
What do you offer?
- Multiple performances at each venue (exact number of performances may vary)
- Performance fee from each participating tour venue
- Technical Support
- Marketing support
- Mentorship and practical support from venue partner teams
How can I get involved?
If you fit the below criteria, we’d LOVE to hear from you!
Guidelines
- Tour-ready production
Your show should be ready to tour, with an existing production and an initial run planned (across no more than two venues).
- Clear production and marketing foundation
You have a strong understanding of your technical requirements, along with core marketing assets such as show copy and imagery. A promoter pack is welcome but not essential.
- Opportunity to see the work
You’re able to invite us to a performance during the submission period. Video submissions are also welcome. Either way, it’s valuable for at least one REWRITES partner venue to experience the show firsthand, helping us to support each other in presenting and marketing the work effectively.
Please note: due to the anticipated volume of applications and our team size, we may not be able to attend every performance, though we will aim to see as many as possible.
- Scale and flexibility
The programme is tailored to musicals that fit in small- to mid-scale spaces. As each partner venue differs, a degree of flexibility will help the work adapt successfully across the network. - Regional touring ambition
A genuine desire to tour the work regionally and reach audiences across different locations.
Our submissions window opens on 20 July and closes on 18 December. We’ll get back to all applicants by the end of January.
If you’d like to be considered and are eligible, you can complete the below form with as much information as possible. Please take note of our guidelines and eligibility criteria before applying.