The Other Palace has announced the return of MTFestUK 2026, a vibrant celebration of new musical theatre, set to run from 27 January to 15 February 2026.
Now in its seventh year, MTFestUK will showcase six new musicals in The Other Palace Studio, each at varying stages of development. The festival offers a unique opportunity for creatives to workshop and present their work in front of live audiences.
Submissions are officially open, inviting writing teams from all backgrounds—both across the UK and internationally—to apply. The festival is committed to supporting innovative musical theatre, particularly from underrepresented voices.
Each selected musical will be cast, rehearsed, and presented in four workshop-style sharing performances. This format allows audiences to engage with musical theatre in its earliest stages of development.
Past MTFestUK productions that have gone on to enjoy further life include Nerds, ROMY AND MICHELE The Musical, Tit Swingers, Bling, A Jaffa Cake Musical, Come Dine With Me, The Government Inspector, Sherlock Holmes and the Poisonwood, Cake: The Marie Antoinette Playlist, Millennials, Eurobeat: Pride of Europe, But I’m a Cheerleader, and First Date.
Paul Taylor Mills, Artistic Director of The Other Palace, said:
“It’s hard to believe that MTFestUK is back for the 7th time! What a journey it’s been – and how many exciting, ground-breaking new pieces have had the chance to be trialled, developed, and go on to find a future life beyond the festival. Today, I’m thrilled to open submissions for MTFestUK 2026 and encourage creatives from all backgrounds, both across the UK and internationally, to submit their new work. Every work-in-progress deserves a safe space to grow and be explored, and MTFestUK remains a vital platform for discovering and supporting new voices – and for helping to shepherd some truly remarkable pieces of theatre.”
To submit your show for consideration, please follow the link: https://theotherpalace.co.uk/mtfestuk-2026-submissions/.
Submissions close on Sunday 28 September 2025, 6pm.
