Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize Names 2026 Finalists
Twelve songs from new musicals will compete for the annual honour at The Other Palace in London.
Mercury Musical Developments and Stiles + Drewe, in partnership with Theatrical Rights Worldwide, have announced the finalists of this year's Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize.
Following an exceptionally strong response from musical theatre writers, the finalist songs will be celebrated in a concert at The Other Palace on Monday 12th October 2026, featuring a stellar line-up of West End performers. The Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize is awarded on an annual basis and recognises an outstanding song from a new musical, written by a member of Mercury Musical Developments.
Established by acclaimed writing duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe (Identical, Honk!, Mary Poppins), the Song Prize showcases twelve new songs from the musicals of tomorrow, in a concert celebrating the best of new musical theatre writing. The evening will also include songs from a selection of recent hit musicals.
2026 Finalists:
'A Sliver of Sunlight' from Hyacinthus by Trevor K. Band
'Be Your Own Man' from Rising by Amy Clare Tasker & Tom James McGrath
'Earth To Theo' from Theo In Between by Gareth Mattey & Jordan Li Smith
'Every Day' from The Deep End by Dom Patterson, Kate Peters & Paul Grady
'Father' from Confessional by James Lark
'First' from Sally In The Woods by James Joshua Otto & P Burton-Morgan
'In The Beginning' from Legendary by Cheeyang Ng
'Monster In The Mirror' from Stigma by Jane Subachus
'Paris Is Calling' from Le Pètomane - The Musical by Tim Waters
'Shadows' from The Last Lost Boy by Jacob Attwooll & Kyla Stroud
'Skylines' from Elbow Deep by Elinor Peregrin
'There's More To Me' from The Most Hated Family In America by Aveev Issacson & Matt Bond
A panel of industry judges, including George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, will award the prize and the winner will receive a prize of £1000 towards developing their work.
Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) is the UK's leading talent development organisation for musical theatre writers. For over 30 years, MMD has championed the composers, lyricists and book writers whose ideas, stories and creativity shape the future of British musicals.
Casting and host to be announced soon. The 2026 Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize concert will be directed by Alex Jackson, with musical direction from Livi Van Warmelo. Tickets can be purchased from theotherpalace.co.uk/stiles-drewe-best-new-song-prize-2026/.
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