BEAM2027, the biennial new musicals showcase run by Mercury Musical Developments and Musical Theatre Network, has revealed a series of pitching dates across the UK. The events aim to select up to 40 musicals for presentation at Royal and Derngate, Northampton, in May 2027.

BEAM2027 will take place on 20 and 21 May 2027 at Royal and Derngate, Northampton, with organisers expecting over 300 submissions. The selection process begins with 22 pitching days scheduled between 8 September and 7 December 2026 in 14 UK towns and cities.

Creative teams will have ten minutes each to pitch their musicals to industry panels that include producers, programmers and artistic directors. All participants will receive development feedback, supported by funding from the PRS Foundation.

Confirmed pitching venues include Leeds Playhouse on 8 September, Cecil Sharp House in London on 29 September, Birmingham Hippodrome on 1 October, and Bristol Old Vic on 7 October. Additional dates are scheduled at theatres across London, Northampton, Southampton, Salford, Cardiff, Liverpool, Exeter and Edinburgh.

Further pitching days at venues such as Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Kiln Theatre will be announced in due course. Alongside these events, BEAM is offering a free online advice session for applicants on 1 September 2026.

Networking opportunities for musical theatre creatives are planned at Birmingham Hippodrome and Capital Theatres in Edinburgh in October and December 2026 respectively. A BEAM alumni event will take place in London on 30 November 2026.

BEAM has a history of supporting emerging musicals, with more than 150 shows presented at previous showcases and over 60% progressing to full productions or further development. Past titles include Operation Mincemeat, Hot Mess and Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York).

Applications for pitching slots are now open, inviting musical theatre creators across the UK to participate in this nationwide search for new work.