skip to main content
Networking 16 June 2026

Ladies of the Stave: Networking Session For Female Musicians

A free networking event to support female musicians and musical directors in theatre, hosted by Nimax Theatres and supported by the MU.

Young woman on director's chair on stage, in front of empty theatre seats.
Date Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Time 5:45pm - 7:00pm
Location London
Book your place
Young woman on director's chair on stage, in front of empty theatre seats.

General enquiries:

Find out more:

Vaudeville Theatre, 404 The Strand, London, WC2R 0NH.

Accessibility:

Please contact ladiesofthestave@gmail.com to discuss any accessibility requirements you may have.

About the event

Ladies of The Stave and Nimax Theatres are delighted to be hosting this networking event, the latest event in the #LadiesoftheStave initiative to support female musicians and musical directors in theatre. 

This event will offer a relaxed opportunity for female musicians to network with each other, and to meet with fixers, directors, producers and musical directors. The guest speaker for this evening will be the musical director Millie Davies.

It will be held in the bar of the Vaudeville Theatre (kindly opened for the occasion by Nimax Theatres), before the evening's performance of SIX.

Why this event is needed

Recent surveys of MU members indicate that only a small proportion of musicians working on West End musicals are women. In the commercial musical theatre sector most of the Musical Directors, their assistants or associate conductors are male. Yet London boasts many superb female musicians. Theatre musicians are largely recruited through an informal system of networking and socialising that has overwhelmingly favoured men.

Much progress has been made in gender diversity elsewhere in the arts, and among musicians in the classical world and subsidised sector, but the orchestra pits of the commercial West End remain stubbornly male. Change is clearly overdue, and it is hoped that by generating awareness of the disparity, and the availability of so much under-used talent, we can start to bring it about.

Book your place

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

Last chance to book

A tiny guitar amp sits on sand with the sun setting behind it.
06 Jun 2026

Free Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Swindon

This is an opportunity to ensure that your equipment is safe, and that you are able to provide assurances for your insurance, venues and bookers. Available for all MU members based in Wales and South West England.

Swindon
Read more about Free Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Swindon

Last chance to book

Group of people, men and women, young and old, grouped together and smiling, looking up at the camera above.
06 Jun 2026

WSWE Local Members' Day: Swindon

This free Members' Day in Swindon includes workshop sessions, portable appliance testing (PAT) and one-to-one advice sessions with MU Officials.

Swindon
Read more about WSWE Local Members' Day: Swindon