our work
We’re attracted to work that has something tantalising to say.
Whether it’s a premiere or a revival, large scale or fringe, a new perspective on current affairs or a comedic take on life itself, we’re most interested in a a passionate point of view accompanied by strong voice and character. So although the most common threads through PVP’s work are dramas and musicals, off-West End and at the Edinburgh Fringe, there’s no fixed genre or style that we go after.
All our work is guided by our 10-year roadmap, and each project should take steps towards those goals, even if how it’s applied varies.
Jump to… Producing | General Management | Consultancy | New Writing | Investment
producing
We’ll only produce when we’re sure that we are the best fit for the project and we’re engaged emotionally and artistically. As such, we like to take a small batch of projects and work on them over many years and multiple productions rather than churn out large quantities of work in the hope that something sticks. We’re a commercial company, so profitability is important, but we approach that with a long-term mindset.
The roadmap is front of mind in the planning for every project. All of our lead-produced projects include a post-recoupment royalty pool for workers on the production payroll (including actors, musicians stage management and crew) and we provide copies of the investor accounts to everyone who wants them working on the show. To get a better sense of how the roadmap might be implemented in practice, Paul’s breaking that down on Substack.
PVP has a long record of producing and developing new writing, which you can read more about here. For revivals or non-writer-led pitches, or to invite us to your work, get in touch here.
As a co-producer or associate producer, we’re keen to work collaboratively with lead producers rather than as a silent partner although PVP does also occasionally raise funds for under the radar investments too. In any case, we assess projects based on our roadmap’s goals.
PVP is currently developing multiple shows for 2026 and beyond, for which we’ll soon be raising funds. If you’d like further information, read about becoming an investor or seeking investment here.
general management
PVP is the GM on all of its own productions as well as managing and executive producing shows for third parties. We leverage extensive experience across a broad range of scales and genres, as well as a deep network across the industry, to set shows up for success. What ‘success’ means varies from production to production, so we’ll talk about that early in the process, and we’ll help you craft a multi-year plan for your show that doesn’t begin and end with the first presentation of it.
Beyond overseeing the day-to-day affairs of a production, PVP can also provide payroll, bookkeeping and casting services, and we’re also a creative worker visa sponsor for international artists coming to the UK. We can provide a ‘menu’ of these services on a co-GM basis if preferred. With experience in site-specific and interactive work, concerts, events and venue operation, PVP can also manage work that might not be in the usual purview of a theatrical GM.
We regularly manage workshops of shows in development, ranging from those destined for 40-seat pub theatres to those planning runs in the West End or on commercial tours. Find out more about how we can support new writing here.
consultancy
Sometimes full-service general management isn’t really what you need. Whether it’s a producing company or theatre looking for some extra support, an individual project that needs tackling, or a creative seeking to plan next steps for a project without ‘diving in’ to production, PVP can support your work without the commitment that general management entails.
As well as overseeing the production process, we’ve experience in script development, venue operation, box office management, and marketing and PR, giving us a strong foundation with which to advise on all facets of theatre-making. We also regularly work with a diverse network of freelancers where more expertise is needed. One of our most common tasks is helping someone find the right team to take a project forward.
Ad hoc support is offered on a bespoke basis, taking into account resources and need, and scales with project type. Get in touch for more information.
Previous consultancy projects have included:
Crafting a new, bespoke spreadsheet-based production payroll system, reducing the weekly payroll work down to less than an hour.
Managing the affairs of special-purpose vehicle companies for producers in between productions, including bookkeeping and VAT.
Budgeting various scenarios for a future run of a musical, enabling the producers to make decisions about their next move.
Working with a writer-producer to develop their musical with a dramaturg after an initial try-out, driving towards a future full run.
Setting up a new production company, including working on workplace policies, budgets and company structure in advance of moving to production.
Advising international producers on the protocols and processes involved in raising capital for or investing funds in UK productions.
Creating in-house production contract templates.
new writing & development
The vast majority of PVP’s work over the last decade has been in new writing. Whether as producer or general manager, we’ve got plenty of experience working with both experienced and new writers, including composers and lyricists, and helping guide the creative process. We’re also currently involved in developing multiple shows for future production. For us, the key to every piece of new writing is aligning with the values of what the artists are trying to achieve and then creating the environment for them to meet those goals.
PVP is able to support new work in a variety of ways, ranging from script development notes to presenting paths towards production. For more hands-on R&D, we can manage a relationship between writer and dramaturg, or manage a full workshop, reading and/or public presentation.
For external producers, we can provide as much input as you need as GM or consultant, whether that’s giving detailed feedback or simply setting up a workshop for the development to take place. If you need to put together a creative team, we know just the people! For writers, if you think we might be useful we can discuss directly how we might be able to support you.
Please note, outside of the projects we commit to producing, PVP is not currently in a position to fund this work directly and we don’t ordinarily provide detailed feedback on projects we’re not engaged on in some way. If detailed feedback is what you’re after, then our consultancy services may be the solution, Creating a dedicated development pot is one of our longer-term goals! However, schedule and workload-permitting, we’re always happy to meet artists to discuss projects and give pointers informally. Get in touch if you think we might be useful. You’re always welcome to write to us to pitch a new project or invite us to your work.
We have a strict policy of not working on or engaging with projects where generative artificial intelligence has contributed to the artistic process and we include a non-use of AI clause in all creative contracts. This includes use of GenAI in writing and editing or providing ideas or feedback on work, as well as the use of GenAI in other theatremaking disciplines like production design. (Using assistive AI to simplify administration is fine!).
investment
Investing in PVP’s productions
We’re on a mission to create a better, 21st century of producing theatre. Our 10-year roadmap lays out what PVP stands for and how we want to define producing.
Investing in theatre is high-risk, but it also carries the potential of being high-reward. As well as the possibility of financial profit and the benefits brought about by Theatre Tax Relief, investors are invited to attend opening nights, galas, and private preview runs in rehearsal. We want our productions to mean something, so we actively seek investors who align with the things that any particular show is trying to say.
We have observed over the years that theatre investors are often shut out of the production process. Although it’s important that creatives are given freedom to make their work without financiers breathing down their necks, we believe that investors have a valuable role to play in the producing of shows that goes beyond their chequebooks. We actively invite people with strong views on how to make theatre more equitable to invest with us and help drive the industry forward. In any case, we can promise candour, regular communication and that your views will be taken seriously.
All investment takes place on a production-by-production basis, and investors in PVP’s work will also occasionally be offered investments in selected third party productions where PVP has opted to raise for them, taking into account your preferences and priorities.
To become an investor or find out more, get in touch.
Seeking PVP’s investment
PVP occasionally invests in external productions or raises funds for third-party shows.
Any production we decide to invest in will in one way or another meet or drive towards the goals of our 10-year roadmap.
Productions that PVP invests in must:
have strong HR processes in place;
pay all artists and workers at least the minimum rates agreed between their union and either the ITC or UK Theatre/SOLT;
in some way be committed to diversifying the class background of audiences and workers; and
be commercially viable in the medium-term.
If your production fits the bill, feel free to send over an investment pack to us via the contact page.
