UK Musical Theatre Conference 2025: Full Line-Up Revealed with Panels on AI, Accessibility and Global Markets

The UK Musical Theatre Conference is almost here, and organisers have now confirmed the full line-up of speakers and sessions. Run by Musical Theatre Network and Mercury Musical Developments, the event promises to be an essential gathering for anyone interested in the future of British musical theatre, covering everything from artificial intelligence and data to accessibility, diversity, and how new musicals travel between international markets.

With the sector navigating a rapidly changing landscape, from shifting audience habits and financial pressures to the growing impact of technology, this year's conference looks set to offer some of the most forward-thinking conversations in the industry. Here is everything we know about the programme.

Opening Session: Responding to Challenges and Shaping the Future

After a welcome from James Hadley and Zaylie-Dawn Wilson, the conference kicks off with an opening session chaired by Tracy Cooper. A series of short talks will tackle the biggest challenges currently facing musical theatre in the UK, and consider how the sector might adapt and evolve. Confirmed speakers for this opening segment include Dr Sarah K Whitfield, Nathalie McDermott, and Josette Bushell-Mingo, each bringing distinct expertise and perspectives on the state of the art form today.

The session is designed to set the tone for the rest of the day, framing the key questions that will recur throughout the programme. Breakout discussions linked to these opening topics will also run alongside parts of the later schedule, giving attendees the chance to dig deeper into the issues raised.

Perspectives of Black and Global Majority Creatives

One of the standout panels on the programme is a discussion chaired by Nancy Medina, focusing on the experiences and perspectives of Black and Global Majority creatives working in musical theatre. Panellists include Rafia Hussain, Urielle Klein-Mekongo, Frey Kwa Hawking, Sumerah Srivastav, and Tim Sutton.

This session arrives at a critical moment. While London's West End has made significant strides in representation over recent years, with shows like Hamilton, Tina - The Tina Turner Musical, and Jaja's African Hair Braiding bringing diverse stories and talent to major stages, the conversation around equity and inclusion in the creative process remains vital. This panel looks set to explore not just who is on stage, but who is writing, directing, producing, and designing new work.

Taking Musicals Global: International Markets and Collaboration

A further session, chaired by producer Emily Lunnon, will examine the increasingly important question of how musicals move between international markets. The panel features Natalie Chan, Jethro Compton, John Manning, Joseph Smith, and Danielle Tarento.

For the UK musical theatre industry, international transfers and co-productions have become a crucial part of the business model. Shows originating in London regularly make the leap to Broadway, Asia, and continental Europe, while international hits frequently arrive on the West End stage. Understanding the commercial, cultural, and logistical factors involved in these journeys is essential for anyone developing new work with global ambitions.

The Role of Dance in New Musicals

After the lunch break, the afternoon programme opens with a session on the role of dance and choreography in the creation of new musicals. Chaired by Andrew Panton, the panel brings together choreographers and movement directors Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, Andy Kumar, Dannielle Rhimes Lecointe, and Alexzandra Sarmiento.

This is a topic that often goes underexplored at industry events despite dance being a foundational element of the musical theatre form. With recent productions such as MJ The Musical and Starlight Express placing extraordinary physical performance at their core, the conversation about how choreography shapes storytelling in new work feels especially timely. Running alongside this panel is a parallel breakout session continuing discussion of climate-related themes, reflecting the sector's growing engagement with environmental sustainability.

Artificial Intelligence and Data: Technology Meets Theatre

Perhaps the most topical session on the programme addresses the use of artificial intelligence in musical theatre. Chaired by Felix Cross, the panel includes Matt Eames, Lesley Gannon, Sally Ann Gritton, Stephen Pidcock, and Shaye Poulton Richards.

AI has rapidly become one of the most debated subjects across the creative industries, raising questions about everything from the composition of music and lyrics to the generation of marketing materials and scenic design. For a sector built on human creativity and live performance, the implications of AI are both exciting and contentious. This session is likely to probe where the opportunities lie, what the risks are, and how the industry might develop ethical frameworks for the use of these tools.

Following the AI discussion, a linked session chaired by Ameena Hamid will turn to the use of data in the sector. David Brownlee and Dan Rebellato will explore how data can inform creative decision-making, audience development, and the broader health of the musical theatre ecosystem. In an era where ticketing platforms and social media generate enormous volumes of information, understanding how to use data responsibly and effectively is a growing priority for producers, venues, and arts organisations alike.

Accessibility in the Development of New Work

The conference closes with a session that may prove to be one of its most impactful: a discussion on accessibility in the development of new musicals. Chaired by Michèle Taylor, the panel features Alex Bulmer, Caitlyn Burt, Hayley Egan, Jenny Sealey, and Amir Shoenfeld.

Accessibility in theatre has received increasing attention in recent years, with many West End productions now offering captioned, audio-described, relaxed, and BSL-interpreted performances. But this panel goes a step further, examining how accessibility can be embedded in the creative process from the very beginning, rather than being an afterthought. For new musicals in development, this means considering inclusive casting, accessible storytelling techniques, and the design of spaces and scores that welcome the widest possible audience.

Why This Conference Matters for the Future of Musical Theatre

The UK Musical Theatre Conference stands out as one of the few events dedicated specifically to the art form's future in Britain. While award ceremonies and opening nights grab the headlines, it is gatherings like this that shape the behind-the-scenes conversations leading to the next generation of hit shows.

The breadth of this year's programme reflects just how much the landscape is shifting. The musical theatre sector is grappling with the same forces transforming the wider arts world: technological disruption, the push for greater diversity and equity, the need for environmental responsibility, and the challenge of reaching new and broader audiences. By bringing together creators, producers, academics, and industry leaders, the conference creates a space where these conversations can lead to concrete action.

For anyone working in or passionate about musicals, the full programme is worth following closely, even if you cannot attend in person. The ideas and initiatives emerging from these discussions will likely influence the shape of new work appearing on stages across the UK in the years ahead.

What to Explore Next

If you are keen to see what is currently playing on London stages, browse our full list of shows for the latest musicals, plays, and family shows. Stay up to date with all the latest theatre news and features on our news page.