The Stephen Sondheim Society and Mercury Musical Developments have announced the 12 finalists for the annual West End Gala for The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year and The Stiles + Drewe Prize.
The 12 finalists from performing arts schools around the country have been selected to perform at the 2017 competition being staged at the Noёl Coward Theatre on Sunday 11th June at 3pm, hosted by Olivier Award winner Clive Rowe.
The finalists are Tom Blackmore, Verity Blyth, Katie Buchholz, Oscar Conlon-Morrey, Georgia Frost, Izuka Hoyle, Rob Peacock, Emma Rendell, Georgia Richardson, Shaq Taylor, Jack Whittle and Joe Wiltshire Smith.
The gala will also include a special performance by Olivier Award winner and guest judge Janie Dee – soon to be seen as Phyllis in Follies at the National Theatre and writer and broadcaster Edward Seckerson returns to Chair the Student Performer judges as does legendary Sondheim interpreter Julia McKenzie to present the prize.
This year the annual gala will again be directed by Chris Hocking, with musical direction by Stephen Ridley and will also feature comedy double act Dominic Ferris and Martin Milnes who will be reprising their medley ‘33 Sondheim Numbers in 5 Minutes’.
