How do I become … a theatre producer
Alastair Whatley reveals that there is just as much drama off-stage as on it – and it’s not about the money
It was when he was stuck on a Welsh cliff top with a cast of mutinous, unpaid actors that Alastair Whatley might have buckled under the challenges of theatre producing; instead, he found a Chinese restaurant and begged a free meal for 20. The actors, finally fuelled, agreed to perform, and a year later Whatley returned to the restaurant and paid off his debt…..http://www.theguardian.com/money/2013/oct/01/how-become-theatre-producer
So you want to be a theatre producer?
Producing has never been harder, finds Matt Trueman, but a start-up fund is paving the way for wannabes to make the jump
How does an independent theatre producer ever get started? Well, consider this: any show needs investors. Investors need convincing with an attractive proposition, which means a strong creative team and an attractive cast. They need convincing too, which probably necessitates getting a theatre on board. How do you do that? Well, it helps to have investors and a decent proposal. How’s that for a pile up of Catch-22s?
Sir Cameron Mackintosh - Sunday Times Rich List 2010
The theatre impresario has had a bountiful 12 months thanks to the success of the musical Oliver! The Scot began his working career as a stagehand and his big break came in 1981, when he produced the musical Cats. Estimated wealth of £635m, up 81pc on 2009.
