Musical theatre is one of the most intricate, exhilarating, and emotionally charged art forms there is — and creating a musical is never a straight line. It requires clarity, structure, patience, instinct, and a deep understanding of how story and song work together on stage. My work as a mentor is to help you navigate that process with confidence, precision, and a steady creative hand.

I’m Laurence Mark Wythe — a composer, lyricist, bookwriter, orchestrator and dramaturg with over two decades of professional experience in writing and developing new musicals. My work has been produced internationally, with productions in London, New York, across Europe, Asia and beyond.

I wrote book, music & lyrics for Tomorrow Morning, an award-winning musical which has been seen in New York, London, Chicago, Tokyo, Melbourne, Seoul plus many more worldwide productions. I also wrote and co-produced the 2022 motion picture adaptation which starred Samantha Barks, Ramin Karimloo and Fleur East, with supporting roles played by Joan Collins, Omid Djallili, Henry Goodman, Harriet Thorpe and George Maguire. The show won the Jeff Award for best musical in Chicago and was nominated for Best New Off-Broadway Musical in the Outer Critics’ Circle Awards in New York, among others.

With co-lyricist and bookwriter Timothy Knapman, I wrote Midnight which has played in London and still plays in Seoul, Korea. Together we also wrote Danni Hero and GROWL! which have both seen professional productions around the world. With ‘Trainspotting’ author Irvine Welsh I wrote the songs for Creatives (Chicago & Edinburgh), with Judy Freed I wrote music and lyrics for Through the Door (West End & multiple seasons in Seoul, Korea) and as composer/lyricist and bookwriter working alone, I wrote The Lost Christmas and Extraordinary. I have written shows that made it to the professional stage, and also shows that didn’t — not all shows do, and part of the job is figuring out why.

I wrote my first shows in my teens at my local theatre and later while studying at Mountview, and I began to learn the process of writing and producing shows by putting them in front of a paying audience. My first professional musical, Making Waves, was produced when I was 21 at a small off-West End theatre in London, and I have been building my craft and career ever since.

I also co-founded the London College of Performing Arts back in 2014, which now has around 200 students, and I created, wrote and hosted the music theatre podcast quiz Game of Shows (Broadway Podcast Network). I have taught and/or lectured in the field of music theatre at London’s major drama schools including Mountview, Arts Ed, Guildhall, Sylvia Young and the Royal Academy of Music. As a musical director, I worked on over thirty stage productions and as a rehearsal/audition player for dozens more.

I have been in the room during the writing, workshop, casting, rehearsal and production process — collaborating with directors, producers, choreographers, actors and musicians. This is the experience I will bring to the table if we choose to work together.

Over the years, I’ve worked with emerging writers, established professionals, producers, and creative teams to help shape stories, develop scores, refine lyrics, and build shows that resonate both musically and dramatically. My mentoring approach grew naturally out of that work: a blend of dramaturgical clarity, musical craft, structured development, and a genuine love of helping writers find the strongest version of their voice.

My Approach as a Mentor

Every writer is different, and every musical presents a unique set of creative challenges. My approach is personal, detailed, and collaborative. I focus on the fundamentals that make musical theatre powerful:

• Strong story architecture

• Clear and earned emotional journeys

• Songs that illuminate character and move the narrative

• Precise lyric craft

• Musical storytelling that carries dramatic weight

• World-building and pacing

• Cohesion between script, score, and character

I don’t necessarily enter our collaboration with a proscribed formula — I meet you where you are. Whether you’re developing your very first musical or refining a show that’s already seen workshops and readings, I will support you with clear-eyed feedback, constructive honesty, and a practical, craft-driven process.

The goal is simple: to help you create a musical that sings with purpose, emotional truth, and dramatic clarity.

Why Creatives Work With Me

Writers and composers come to me when they’re:

• Stuck in development

• Lost in structure

• Unsure what a moment or song is doing

• Wanting to create memorable songs with heart and precision

• Revising drafts and want a professional perspective

• Needing accountability and consistent creative support

• Preparing for workshops, readings, or submissions

• Looking to sharpen their craft on a deeper level

But most of all, writers work with me because they want to understand how musical theatre really works — not just how to write songs, but how to tell stories through music with clarity and intention.

Working together means developing both your musical and your voice as a writer. It’s not just about fixing pages; it’s about building your craft.

Who I Work With

I work with a limited number of writers at a time to ensure each project receives real attention. My clients include:

• Composer/lyricists building completely new shows or polishing finished drafts

• Writing teams (duos and trios)

• Bookwriters working with composers

• Lyricists refining their technique

• Emerging writers taking their first big steps

• Experienced writers looking for deeper dramaturgy

• Professionals preparing shows for development, workshop or production

If your passion lies in telling stories through music — and you’re ready to put in the work — then we’re likely a good fit.

How We Can Work Together

I offer several ways to collaborate depending on your needs and stage of development:

• One-to-One Mentoring Sessions
Focused sessions providing direct feedback and creative problem-solving, either ongoing (monthly) or whenever needed.

• 6-Session Writer Development Package
A structured process for building momentum and making meaningful progress.

• 12-Session Deep Development Programme
Long-term, project-driven dramaturgy and creative partnership.

• Script & Score Support
Professional analysis of your material with clear next steps.

• Bespoke coaching/mentoring
Talk to me about your needs and aims, and we’ll figure out the best path to get you there.

Each pathway is designed to give you the support and clarity you need to grow as a writer and move your musical forward with purpose.

My Philosophy

Musical theatre creation is both craftsmanship and courage. It’s both technical and emotional. It’s structure and intuition. It’s architecture and heart.

Great writers don’t just write great songs — they understand why a song happens, what it reveals, and how it changes the world of the story. My job as a mentor and coach is to help you find that truth, refine it, and express it in a way that feels true to your voice, and to help you find that voice, remain true to it and learn to believe in your skills and have confidence in your creative work.

Every writer has something to say, and musical theatre often transcends any other way to express it. Devotees of musicals understand the truth of this, but they don’t always know — or ask — why. When a musical works, it just works, right? The effort, hours and struggle that has gone into that process remains unseen, unchampioned, and misunderstood. That is where I come in.

The writing process can be challenging and thankless — but it can also be thrilling. And when it clicks, it’s unforgettable. Seeing your own work realised on stage is one of the greatest experiences a creative person can have, and that is where I will strive to get you to.

Let’s Build Something Remarkable

If you’re ready to develop your musical project with expert guidance, creative support, and a clear dramaturgical framework, I’d love to help.

Whether you’re starting from an idea or refining a near-finished draft, this is a space for serious writers doing serious work — with a mentor who understands the craft, the journey and the art form inside out.

If you are interested in working with me, visit the Services page or fill in the Apply form, or use the contact form below.