Two Strangers co-writer: Protecting regional theatres vital for new musicals

Lyricist Kit Buchan has warned that the current financial struggles of regional theatres could impact the health of new musicals.

Buchan, co-writer of Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), told The Stage that he and his collaborator Jim Barne had benefitted hugely from venues outside London taking "risks on new writers when other people weren’t".

As many buildings outside the capital continue to feel the pinch, Buchan expressed worry that it may be more difficult now to engage with those keen to pen the next West End hit – after Two Strangers’ journey led it to a run at the Criterion Theatre.

Speaking to The Stage, he said: "We certainly benefitted from venues that, like the Birmingham Hippodrome or regional venues, were taking risks on new writers when kind of other people weren’t. So that [for us] was the Royal and Derngate and the New Wolsey [Theatre], which are really struggling now.

"I wonder whether it might possibly be in some cases harder just because the arts landscape is even worse than when it was when we were putting it on."

But Buchan said he did believe "there is more of an acknowledgement of a necessity for resources for new musicals in this country" and expressed "gratitude to those regional venues" for the tide change.

Buchan and Barne were speaking at September 29’s The Stage Debut Awards 2024, where they had been nominated for Best Creative West End Debut for the London run of a musical about an unlikely meet-cute unfolding across 48 hours in the Big Apple.

The gong was ultimately lifted by Daniel Bailey, director of the @sohoplace transfer of the Bush Theatre’s football drama, Red Pitch.

Jack Godfrey, who won Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer for his musical 42 Balloons at the ceremony, echoed Buchan’s faith in the importance of regional venues, telling The Stage shortly after his win: "I think that maybe something regional theatres have that London doesn’t have is an ability to take risks on new work that doesn’t necessarily have big names behind it."

Godfrey said he had been "really fortunate" to work with the likes of Dundee Rep, the Lowry and Birmingham Hippodrome as he developed his craft, and said: "I think that London and the West End, it is so commercial.

"There is so much at stake, it is probably harder to take risks."