Craig Glenday News

The Stephen Sondheim Society and Mercury Musical Developments today announce the 10thanniversary West End Gala for the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year and Stiles + Drewe Prize. To mark this special landmark occasion, the 2016 competition is being staged at the Novello Theatre in London on Sunday 15 May, hosted by star of stage and screen Julian Ovenden (Downton Abbey, Sunday in the Park with George, Merrily We Roll Along, Sondheim 80th Birthday Prom). In addition to this, among this year's judges will be Don Black,Jason Carr, Anne Reid MBE, Sondheim Society Patron Julia McKenzie and Olivier Award-nominated actress Sophie-Louise Dann, reuniting her with Ovenden after they performed together in Sunday in the Park with George at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. Furthermore, writer and broadcaster Edward Seckerson will Chair the Student Performer judging panel. 

West End leading lady Imelda Staunton is among a list of stars lending support to a charity gala to honour Stephen Sondheim at London's Theatre Royal, Drury Lane this October. Staunton comments, This year, Stephen Sondheim turned 85, and some of his old friends here in London - and I'm sure a few young ones - feel that we'd like to do something to celebrate. But we need your help to make it happen.

Twelve student finalists from top drama schools across the UK competed for the title of this year's Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year (SSSSPOTY), on Sunday 17th May at the Garrick Theatre in London's West End. Each student sung a song by Stephen Sondheim and, at his personal request, they each sang a new musical theatre song, written by members of Mercury Musical Developments and shortlisted for the Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Prize. Scroll down for photos from the event!

The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year and The Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Prize 2015 will take place at the Garrick Theatre in London on Sunday 17th May, 3pm. Special Guest Performer and Judge is Elaine Paige with Michael Xavier serving as host.

To coincide with St George's Day, Monday 23 April 2007, the London cast of Monty Python's Spamalot, along with Python's Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam and 5,567 members of the public, set a new record for the world's largest coconut orchestra.