Theatrical Licensing in Australia: A Look at the Big Two
When it comes to theatrical licensing in Australia, two giants lead the market: Music Theatre International (MTI) and ORiGiN™ Theatrical. These companies provide theatrical rights to countless schools, community theatres, and professional theatre companies across the nation and beyond. Let’s dive in and explore these two major players in the world of theatrical licensing.
ORiGiN™ Theatrical: A Homegrown Powerhouse
ORiGiN™ Theatrical is an Australian independent music company owned and managed by Philip Walker and Philip Mortlock. As the market leader in Australia and New Zealand, they specialize in secondary market theatrical exploitation, which includes amateur, community, schools, pro-am, small professional, fringe, regional, stock, and repertory productions.
A Diverse Catalogue
ORiGiN™ Theatrical boasts an impressive catalogue, representing exclusive licensing rights for renowned theatrical entities like R&H Theatricals, The Really Useful Group (Andrew Lloyd Webber), Samuel French Inc, and more. They also hold direct agreements with the owners of popular works such as Grease, Strictly Ballroom, and Man of La Mancha.
In addition to the international repertoire, ORiGiN™ Theatrical is also proud to represent Australian box office hits like Priscilla Queen of The Desert, SHOUT! The Legend of the Wild One, and Dusty – The Original Pop Diva.
A Passionate Team
Led by industry veterans Philip Walker and Philip Mortlock, the ORiGiN™ Theatrical team includes experts in various aspects of the theatre business, such as managing director Kim Ransley, marketing and sales manager Nick Young, and other dedicated professionals. The team’s passion and commitment to theatre shine through in their efforts to provide the best possible experience for their clients.
Music Theatre International: A Global Force
Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres around the globe the rights to perform a vast selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI has been a driving force in promoting musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form.
A Rich Array of Shows
MTI works directly with the creators of musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials, and dynamic theatrical resources to over 100,000 professional, community, and school theatres in the United States and in more than 150 countries worldwide, including Australia.
Their extensive catalogue features classics like Les Misérables, West Side Story, and Mamma Mia!, as well as modern hits like Dear Evan Hansen, Hamilton, and Mean Girls.
Commitment to Educational Theatre
MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre, creating special collections to meet the needs of different performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior™ shows offer 30- and 60-minute musicals tailored for elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are annotated musicals designed for high school students.
With global headquarters in New York City and additional offices in London (MTI Europe) and Melbourne (MTI Australasia), MTI is well-positioned to serve the needs of the theatrical community around the world.
In Conclusion
Both ORiGiN™ Theatrical and Music Theatre International play crucial roles in bringing the magic of theatre to life in Australia and beyond. Their dedication to providing quality theatrical materials and resources to a wide range of performers and audiences ensures that the art form continues to thrive and engage people of all ages.
