Review: The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of The Year 2024 (Sondheim Theatre)

Review by Sam Waite

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Good times and bum times,

The West End’s seen ‘em all,

And my dear, it's still here!

We lost Stephen Sondheim,

And closed down for more than a year,

But we're here!

It feels like only yesterday that I was working front of house at one of Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s theatres, welcoming in the starry guests for an afterparty after they'd sang and cried their hearts out in their (for the moment) one-time performance of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends. With Mr Sondheim’s passing coming so soon after we had been able to reopen the theatres, first to limited capacities and then hesitantly to full houses, it was a difficult period – one, however, which only bolstered many of us in our admiration for Sondheim’s talent and creations.

Credit: David Ovenden

And so I found myself delighted to be at the Sondheim Theatre, normally the home of unstoppable mega-musical Les Miserables, in a celebration of a great writer's work and influence, The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of The Year 2024. Hosted by the eternally spry Bonnie Langford, we watched as the final 12 entrants (of a record-setting more than 330 applicants) performed songs by both Stephen Sondheim and rising UK songwriters, for a £1000 prize and the honour of being that year's top student performer, as selected by a panel of celebrity and industry judges.

Let me begin by saying all 12 were marvellous performers, all bringing their own characterisation to the roles they too-briefly inhabited, and showed excellent taste levels in their selections from lesser-known UK musicals. With a pair of contenders having played Charlie Kringas (Thomas Oxley) and Mary Flynn (Madeline Morgan) in last year’s National Youth Music Theatre production of Merrily We Roll Along, this truly felt like an afternoon where stars were born. Ms. Morgan, who would go on to be declared the winner, found impressive new shades to “Moments in the Woods” that truly demonstrated her dramatic and musical prowess, as well as giving an exemplary performance of Gus Gowland’s “Running on Empty” from Mayflies.

Credit: Ian Bowkett

To list highlights, it's tempted to re-type the afternoon’s programme, as there were no weak links in either song choice or performance. Personal high notes included Luke Bateman and Michael Conley’s “Tartarus”, from their musical The Sorrows of Satan and sung here by runner-up Gavin Rasmussen.”, Tuli Olufawo’s phenomenal “Broadway Baby”, and Josh Rosewood’s “Finishing the Hat”, reprising a role he had previously played at Mountview. All contestants were accompanied by musical director Nigel Lilley, a remarkably skilful pianist who must surely be icing his hands today.

While the competition was the afternoon’s focus, there were also an array of numbers not sung by the contenders. Giving up her day off while touring with Unfortunate, 2023 winner Milly Willows returned to reprise her comedy-forward “Worst Pies in London”, proving both why she won and why she continues to succeed. Previewing the upcoming NYMT production of Into The Woods, former Jack (in a Manila production) Joaquin Pedro Valdes belted out “Giants in the Sky” alongside NYMT principal Roman Jain, while another preview performance reminded us of how sumptuous the score of the soon-to-transfer Benjamin Button really is.

Credit: David Ovenden

Even Bonnie Langford herself allowed them to goad her into a song, recreating her take on “I'm Still Here”, a standout from last year’s West End run of Old Friends. A firecracker of a performer, and a genuinely charming host, Langford had the crowd consistently on-side, bringing a real warmth, humanity, and genuine excitement to be in the presence of these future stars. Whether joking that the opening group number “Beautiful Girls” (beautifully arranged and accompanied by assistant Md John Haslam) was in fact her introduction, or cackling about being trapped just offstage and rushed by a crowd of youngsters as she attempted reentry after an act two opener of “Children Will Listen/Into The Woods”, Bonnie never seemed any less than thrilled to be there.

Alas, the afternoon did eventually have to come to a close. With judges including Callum Scott Howells, Jack Malone, Fra Fee and Alex Parker having made their decision, it fell to Sondheim Society Chair Edward Seckerson and the legendary Jenna Russell to announce Madeline’s victory. Russell was handpicked for the role by predecessor Julia McKenzie, who retired after last year’s event and insisted Russell was the only one who ought to take her place. An absolute delight in her brief time on stage, Russell’s dedication to supporting new and upcoming artists was refreshingly clear, and her joy at being a part of this year's SSSSPOTY immensely clear.

Credit: Ian Bowkett

In a final, heartwarming moment, the assembled contestants, judges, and guests made to leave the stage so that Madeline Morgan could give her winning performance to wrap up the afternoon’s festivities. Having been visibly stunned to have won, Madeline answered Bonnie Langford’s assurance that she could command the stage all alone with a soft, “Can you stay?” And with only a second’s hesitation, Bonnie sat not on one of the chairs at the back, used for the others in the groups of 3 in each section of performances, but on the floor where she would be out of focus, and have a clearer view of Madeline as she sang.

That moment alone represents what is beautiful and what is necessary about SSSSPOTY, an event bringing together fans and admirers of the arts, allowing a showcase for the talented artists who will shape the industry going forward. As the student performers finished their hats, found the things (that made it worth the journeying), and celebrated being alive and the opening doors ahead of them, the rapturous audience made it abundantly clear that the future was bright for this commendable troupe of budding thespians.

The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer Of The Year will return in 2025.

Follow @SondheimSociety on socials to find out more.