The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year |

The prestigious Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year (SSSSPOTY) competition celebrates its 18th year this year; growing from its initial inception in 2007 with barely 10 applicants, to garnering over 350+, bringing the 12 finalists to stage on the 7th June at the Sondheim Theatre (currently home to the long running Les Misérables). 

Students are given their chance to demonstrate the best of their talents by performing any Sondheim song of their choosing before a panel of esteemed judges. Stephen Sondheim, who was a huge champion of new writing and new musicals, had insisted that for every Sondheim song performed, the finalists must also perform a song from a new musical. The Stephen Sondheim Society has partnered with "New UK Musicals", a catalogue founded by Darren Clark to allow performers to access sheet music from new musicals, providing them a direct link to the writers and vice versa. This value to honour the traditional work of Sondheim and to embrace new work is just one of the reasons that SSSSPOTY has become such a beloved and esteemed competition for musical theatre students. Previous winners also include Cynthia Erivo, Taron Egerton, Alex Young and many others who have gone off to leave their own legacy in the world of musical theatre. 

At the 18th annual SSSSPOTY, the event was hosted by Bella Brown (Hadestown, Evita, Into the Woods), who graciously stepped in at the last moment to cover for previous SSSSPOTY winner Oscar Conlon-Morrey (Oliver!, Only Fools and Horses). The judges included Edward Seckerson (the chair), Melanie La Barrie, Andy Nyman, Rachel Tucker, Matt Wolf and Jenna Russell (patron).  The event also featured special guest performances from 2025 SSSSPOTY winner Georgia Blessitt performing her winning performance of Losing My Mind from Follies (following a stint on the Les Miserables Arena tour) and 2019 SSSSPOTY winner Stuart Thompson performing Petrichor from the new musical Flyby by Theo Jamieson, following its successful London run earlier this year. Into The Woods' very own Gracie McGonigal reprised her song I Know Things Now from the same musical, and  Bella Brown's performed a stunning rendition of Not A Day Goes By from Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along. 

Due to the high talent of the 12 finalists, the judges exceeded the allocated decision making time; leaving the hilariously frazzled Bella and Gracie to fill time with a sharing of memories from their time on Into the Woods. Most admirably, however, is this extended time allowed reserve student performer Nicholas McKeown the time to deliver an impromptu performance. 

The SSSSPOTY also featured the 15 students (12 finalists and 3 reserves) opening act one with Company from the musical of the same title, with arrangement and musical direction by John Haslam, and the NYMT cast of West Side Story performed a medley to open act two, prior to opening their own production in August.

Directed by Hannah Chissick, and produced by Craig Glenday and Tina Foote on behalf of The Stephen Sondheim Society, SSSSPOTY never fails to recognise the power of a musical number, allowing the talent of the 12 finalists to sing for themselves. The finalists are divided into groups of three; with them all singing a Sondheim song and then a new musical song introduced by Bella. Musical Director Nigel Lilley reminds audiences again why he's one of the best in the business with his capability to perform all 24 contesting songs, the four special performances AND the impromptu performance. 

The SSSSPOTY 2026 12 finalists included Cait du Feu, Charlotte English, Erica Schoebinger, Freddie Thompson, Josephine Shaw, Marcus Harman, Rebecca Hennessey, Róisin Holland, Rosie Sutton, Ruby Decent, Samuel Louis Bennett and Taziva-Faye Katsande. 

Personal highlights include Schoebinger's gorgeous rendition of Change of Plan from Finn Anderson's new musical Ballad Lines, Thompson's mastful acting through song performance of Giants in the Sky from Into The Woods, Shaw's mesmerising voice in both her songs No One is Alone from Into the Woods and Clockwork by Michael Webborn and Daniel Finn, Holland's powerful rendition of The Girl Next Door by Gus Gowland, and Bennett's hilarious rendition of Waiter's Song from Here We Are. 

Sutton's confident and charming performance of the fan favourite and yet challenging Getting Married Today from Company, along with a more soulful Colour in My Cheeks by Tim Sutton, which rightfully placed her in third place with a brilliant performance. Katsande's performance of Last Midnight from Into the Woods was every bit as bit as witchy and wonderful as one could hope for (gaining particularly appreciation from Melanie La Barrie who had recently finished in the role of the Witch), and delivered a powerful rendition of Peace In the Puzzle by Darren Clark, coming in second place. 

SSSSPOTY's 2026 winner is Charlotte English, with her gorgeous rendition of I Read from Passion, and The Sparrow's Tale by Darren Clark; delivering a truly remarkable performance for both songs with a clear sense of precision, vocal quality, storytelling and emotional depth. 

The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year has quickly established itself as one of the most prestigious and important events, as it not only provides young performers a platform to showcase their talent, but also honours the legacy of Stephen Sondheim and highlights the importance of new musical theatre and writers. 

Gifted tickets | Photography by Ian Bowkett