We want new musical theatre in the UK to grow and thrive. "Because it is run by writers," says Darren, "we have the best interests of both writers and performers at heart. While there was plenty of excellent new work being created, access to those songs was limited as there was no central hub at which the sheet music could be found. Through many conversations with colleagues, including members of MMD, BML and Alumni of BEAM and Adam Lenson's Signal, he realised that there was a missing piece in the infrastructure of new musical theatre in the UK. was founded by Darren Clark, a multi-award-winning UK musical theatre writer. This year's winner was Ella Shepherd from Bird College Conservatoire.Īnd because the judges were split, a third prize was awarded: to Jade Oswald, also from the Royal Academy of Music.Ĭongratulations to all the finalists, and particularly to Desmonda, Ella and Jade. In recent years, it has been customary to have a runner up and this has now been formalised by the award of a prize to the student in second place. The SSSSPOTY first prize (a silver salver and a cheque for £1,000) was awarded to the student who, in the opinion of the judges, gave the best performance of their two songs: in 2022, Desmonda Cathabel, of the Royal Academy of Music. It was particularly poignant given the recent passing of Mr Sondheim that the competition should held in this gloriously renovated theatre. In 2022 - after a COVID-enforced hiatus - we were thrilled to host the competition in the theatre that now bears Sondheim's name, thanks to a kind donation from Cameron Mackintosh. We initially worked closely with Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) to showcase new writing, and this year, we began a new partnership with the New UK Musicals organisation. From the second year of the competition, in the light of Sondheim’s wishes, as well as singing a song by Sondheim, the students who make it through to the SSSSPOTY finals each sing a new piece of writing for the stage. The format was simple: sing - or more accurately, perform! - a song with music and/or lyrics by Mr Sondheim. In that year, we presented the first Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year award (affectionate known as SSSSPOTY). "New writers", he said, "don’t tend to get so many chances to show off their work." The idea for a prize to help support a performing arts student starting out in the world of professional musical theatre formed in 2007, at which point Stephen Sondheim asked us if the event could also be used to showcase the work of new composers and lyricists. This year, we'll be celebrating the 15th anniversary of our annual student performer competition.
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