Music Theatre International shake up

Published: 19 April 2015
Reporter: Sandra Giorgetti

Music Theatre International

The world’s largest music theatre library, Music Theatre International, opens a European office in London this summer and an office in Melbourne later in the year, with its sights on the Far East after that.

Founded by composer Frank Loesser over sixty years ago, Music Theatre International represents and licenses the performance rights to works across the world including for Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors and Mamma Mia!.

Also in its catalogue are the majority of the works of Stephen Sondheim, Disney Theatrical and Cameron Mackintosh and a number of emerging musical theatre writers. There is also a collection of musicals abridged for young performers.

Josef Weinberger Limited has represented the MTI catalogue in Europe for over three decades and its current managing director, Sean Gray, will have the role of managing director of MTI Europe.

He said: “I am thrilled that the time has come for an exciting new chapter in MTI’s long history and a re-organisation of its relationship with Josef Weinberger Limited.

"By later this year, MTI will be trading in its own name with the two separate collaborative entities working in the same building and sharing much of the same personnel gearing up to expand over the coming years.”

Cameron Mackintosh is the majority shareholder in the company, the largest in its field in America.

Alongside this announcement, it was also revealed that, from autumn next year, Alan Finch, executive director of Chichester Festival Theatre, will become co-managing director with Nick Allott of Cameron Mackintosh Limited.

Alan Finch said, “I am thrilled to have this opportunity to join Cameron’s expanding global operation at such an exciting time.

"As Cameron extends his unique portfolio of London theatres, including major building schemes at the Victoria Palace and the Ambassadors, it is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be asked to join the team that will continue to deliver his musicals world-wide, contribute to ensuring MTI remains the world’s foremost music library, consolidate London’s most prestigious theatres and work with The Mackintosh Foundation for the benefit of future generations.”

The Cameron Mackintosh Group includes the companies Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, Music Theatre International and Cameron Mackintosh Limited and ownership of nine West End theatres.

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