I am passionate about getting families into the theatre.. from little acorns... but
1) My idea involves some songs, so that there is a variation in style and pace. I describe it as a play with music rather than a musical..acceptable?
2) The West End is hardly a hot bed for family plays except for big theatrical/ musical extravaganzas. Is this competition the right one for a play like this?
Many plays have some music - even if it's only intro/outro on the intervals! I'd guess that if the balance was mostly spoken word, you'd probably get away with it (many Shakespeare plays have music, and I think we'd have to say they were plays!).
So long as you own the copyright on the music (or it's out of copyright) why not submit it - what can you lose?
I guess the problem with plays for a family audience is purley money... Kids don't pay for theatre tickets, so how are you going to cover the venue/cast/production crew costs...?
You have to entertain the adults at the same time as the kids (and don't say Panto, as comercial panto's these days are so sterile rather than be accused of being non-PC, they entertain next to no-one... I'd sooner see a decent AmDram panto...)
If you wanted to make a play for a family audience that stands a chance of making some money, it would have to be the theatrcal equivilent of Harry Potter - Something that the parents enjoy as much as the kids...
I would love to see a play make the West End that I could take my entire family to - so I wish you the very best of luck!
