Marrying Meg, a Scottish musical comedy by Highland Perthshire-based writer Mark Robertson, has won a place in the world's most prestigious festival of new musicals. The New York Musicals Festival, which stages thirty shows every autumn in midtown Manhattan, is a hotbed of up and coming talent, many of its productions moving to off-Broadway, some even to Broadway itself. Hollywood keeps an eye on this scene for possible future film adaptations.

Marrying Meg is the festival's only UK show this year, and the first Scottish musical ever to win a place in this world-renowned event.

To date, Marrying Meg has been a runner up in three major musical writing competitions in the UK, including Cameron Mackintosh's Highland Quest for a New Musical in 2007. It has been lauded by several major theatrical producers and artists including

  •  "The songs are really charming and for once don't sound like anyone else", Cameron Mackintosh

  •  "... wonderfully funny and tuneful ... a hugely engaging and memorable show ... It's rare for someone to have such a talent for lyric-writing as well as a real gift for memorable and exciting show music. We love it", George Stiles and Anthony Drewe

  •  "Mark Robertson has a talent well worth nurturing", Tim Rice.

Several big-name Broadway personnel are already on board, including Tony-nominated choreographer Christopher Gattelli and five-time Tony-winning costume designer William Ivey Long. The cast is to include major Broadway performers Michael McCormick (The Producers, Curtains) and Jill Paice (Scarlett O'Hara in Trevor Nunn's Gone With The Wind).

The production team is now seeking funding and sponsorship from companies or individual benefactors keen to be associated with this high profile, high quality product.

Overall financial needs are modest at £30,000 to £40,000. Two US sponsors and one UK trust fund have already come forward.

Sponsorship of £3,000 to £5,000 would rate inserts in programmes, banners on posters, front of house display space and joint billing with all other producers.

Mark Robertson was born in Dundee, trained as an actor in Edinburgh and now lives in Blairgowrie. He performed in drama and variety productions across the UK before spending several happy and successful years in several West End musicals.

He has written for numerous TV productions, his latest being a new Saturday night sitcom which he is developing with Aardman Animation for the BBC.

Contact: Mark Robertson

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