The Stephen Sondheim Society and Mercury Musical Developments today announce Welsh actress Di Botcher as the special guest performer at the 12th annual West End Gala for The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year and the 11th anniversary of The Stiles + Drewe Prize.
Botcher will reprise her show-stopping performance of the Sondheim classic ‘Broadway Baby’ from the National Theatre’s acclaimed, Olivier Award-winning revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman’s Follies. She is perhaps best known to TV audiences as Aunty Brenda in Ruth Jones’s hit comedy-drama Stella and recently made her debut as series regular paramedics boss, Jan Jennings in the popular, long-running medical drama Casualty.
The 2018 competition is being staged at the Savoy Theatre on Sunday 10th June at 3pm, hosted by Olivier Award winner Tracie Bennett. Chris Hocking returns to direct the annual gala, with musical direction by Mark Etherington.
In addition, the London Musical Theatre Orchestra will orchestrate the winning song of the Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Prize and perform it at one of their private play-throughs in Autumn 2018.
Freddie Tapner, Founder and Conductor of London Musical Theatre Orchestra, said today, “LMTO are delighted that we can offer this opportunity to the winner of the Stiles & Drewe Prize. As a composer, there is nothing more thrilling than hearing your work performed by a full orchestra, and we can’t wait to give that experience to someone this year. Good luck to all entrants!”
