Image: biography.com

A competition to find the UK’s best student performer will take place this month.

Twelve students from across the country have been selected to take part in the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year (SSSSPOTY) on May 17.

Stephen Sondheim said: “What’s significant about this competition is that it allows students to demonstrate their skills in story-telling through song.

“Moreover, it allows the public to hear new writing voices as well as new singing ones. Good luck to the singers, and remember to honour the songwriters.

“Good luck to the songwriters, and remember to honour the singers.”

The students will each sing a Sondheim song and then a new musical theatre song, written by members of Mercury Musical Developments (MMD).

The winner gets a prize of £1,000, with the runner up getting £500.

A spokesperson from MMD said: “Young student performers and songwriters are the future.

“It’s so important to nurture and support the talent of the next generation, otherwise we’ll be left with a horrible gap!

“Young artists also need that confidence boost to spring them onto the first step of their careers. That first step is often a daunting one and we should champion and cheer them all the way.”

The twelve students, aged between 18 and 24, will perform songs from Sondheim shows such as Into The Woods, Sweeney Todd and Passion.

The event is hosted by Michael Xavier at the Garrick Theatre in the West End, and will feature a performance from Elaine Page.

There will also be a song from last year’s SSSSPOTY winner, Corinne Priest.

Corinne said: “Winning the competition got me my first professional job.

“It’s an honour having the SSSSPOTY award attached to my name and it naturally gets
brought up in the audition room.

“The exposure from the competition has been fantastic and I am extremely grateful to the society and followers for their continued support.”

Judges at the awards include Elaine Page, Laura Pitt-Pulford and Jamie Lloyd.

The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year takes place on May 17 in the Garrick Theatre in London. For more information and tickets, click here.