Les Miserables – Australian Cast Footage
In an announcement made earlier today, the worldwide musical theatre library Music Theatre International have confirmed they will be opening up a new Australasian office in Melbourne.
Founded by composer Frank Loesser over sixty years ago, MTI represents and licenses the performance rights to many musical theatre productions throughout the world. These range from classics such as Guys and Dolls, Les Miserables and West Side Story; to newer works including Disney Theatrical works (The Lion King, Mary Poppins).
Australia was the first territory in the world to license amateur productions of Les Miserables in the mid 90’s. This led to MTI’s decision to develop the School Edition version of Les Miserables in 2002 as part of the Victor Hugo bicentennial celebration. Its success resulted in the creation of additional School Edition adaptations and the ever-expanding Broadway Junior Collection making some of the most successful musicals in history available to Primary and middle school age children. These include The Lion King Jr/Kids, Aladdin Jr/Kids and Shrek the Musical Jr/TYA.
For the past 13 years MTI has enjoyed a hugely successful and happy relationship with Hal Leonard Australia and their Managing Director, Philip Burn, representing the MTI catalogue in Australia and New Zealand. Stuart Hendricks will become the Managing Director of MTI Australasia whilst continuing his current role with Hal Leonard. Hal Leonard Australia will continue to license and distribute the performance materials to the amateur, education and professional markets.
Cameron Mackintosh had this to say:
I am absolutely delighted that the time has come for an exciting new chapter in MTI’s long history in Australia and a re-organization of our highly valued relationship with Hal Leonard and continuing to work directly with Stuart our new Managing Director.
Philip Burn had this to say:
We have thoroughly enjoyed our relationship with MTI and we look forward to this new chapter that will, I am sure, be to the mutual benefit of both companies and to the lovers of musical theatre in Australia and New Zealand.
Stuart Hendricks had this to say:
It is an honour to be part of this significant milestone in MTI’s 60-year history. We are looking forward to continuing our relationship with Cameron and MTI to further develop new licensing opportunities in the region. We remain committed to engaging and inspiring a new generation of performers and future audiences through the power of music theatre.
With MTI opening a division in Australia later this year, it will be interesting to see how this improves the wealth of stage theatre opportunities and performances in the country.
