SSSSPOTY 2026
Venue: Sondheim Theatre
Date: 7 June, 3pm
Host: Bella Brown (standing in for Oscar Conlon-Morrey)
Prize-giving: Jenna Russell
Chair of Judges: Edward Seckerson
Judges: Melanie La Barrie, Andy Nyman, Jenna Russell, Rachel Tucker, Matt Wolf
MD: Nigel Lilley; Assistant MD: John Haslam
Director: Hannah Chissick; Assistant Director: Craig Legg
Stage Manager: Ali Wade; Assistant SM: Benedict Rattray
Opening Number: "Company" from Company, arranged by John Haslam
Guest Performers: National Youth Musical Theatre ensemble (West Side Story medley, MD/Arranger David Randall), Georgia Blessitt ("Losing My Mind" from Follies), Stuart Thompson ("Petrichor" from FlyBy by Theo Jamieson), Gracie McGonigal ("I Know Things Now" from Into The Woods), Bella Brown.
Winner: Charlotte English (BIRD Conservatoire)
Runner-up: Taziva-Faye Katsande (BIRD Conservatoire)
Jeremy Chapman Prize: Rosie Sutton (University of Oxford)
The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year competition – affectionately known as SSSSPOTY – was inaugurated in 2007, and in 2026 returned for its 18th year. The gala final was held, fittingly, in the Sondheim Theatre, at 3pm on Sunday 7 June.
It was a successful afternoon for BIRD Conservatoire, the Sidcup-based performing-arts college founded in 1946 by dance teacher Doreen Bird. The school fielded the first- and second-place prize winners - Charlotte English and Taziva-Faye Katsande, respectively - building on their success from previous years. In 2022, three BIRD students made it through - Ella Shepherd (winning second place), Callum Martin and reserve Tom Watson. Paige Fenlon also took home the runners-up prize in 2019.
This year, a third prize was offered in memory of Society reviewer and writer Jeremy Chapman. Winning this was Rosie Sutton of the University of Oxford - the first time in the competition's history that a non-conservatoire student took home a prize.
Charlotte moved the audience - and more importantly the judges - with "I Read" from Passion, followed by "The Sparrow's Tale" from Darren Clark. Taziva-Faye channelled her inner Witch with a powerful "Last Midnight" from Into The Woods, and Rosie delivered a breakneck "Getting Married Today" from Company.
The glorious afternoon opened with the finalists and reserves singing "Company" from Company, arranged by Assistant MD John Haslam' and with choreography from Assistant Director Craig Legg. The advertised host - Oscar Conlon-Morrey - was forced to pull out the event just the day before, owing to illness, but was replaced at the last minute by the sensational Bella Brown, who did a sterling job MCing for the afternoon.
To open the second half of the competition, an ensemble of performers from the National Youth Musical Theatre (NYMT) delivered a beautiul medley of songs from West Side Story, giving a taster for their upcoming production at the Birmingham Hippodrome (6-8 August), produced in collaboration with The Stephen Sondheim Society.
During the judges' deliberations, last year's winner Georgia Blessitt reprised her heart-wrenching "Losing My Mind" (Follies), and 2019 winner Stuart Thompson treated us to "Petrichor" from Theo Jamieson's FlyBy, which premiered in April this year to much acclaim at the Southwark Playhouse. Gracie McGonigal - Little Red Ridinghood at the Bridge Theatre's award-winning Into The Woods - reminded us just how brilliant she was in the role with "I Know Things Now" - and host Bella offered us a beautiful and impassioned "Not a Day Goes By" from Merrily We Roll Along.
With the judges struggling to agree on their top three, standby Nicholas McKeown from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama was asked to present "Finishing the Hat" from Sunday in the Park with George - the first time in the competition that a reserve has been able to sing the song they'd prepared on the off-chance of being asked to cover for an indisposed finalist.
Finally, Edward and his panel of judges reached an agreement on the top three places. The jury took to the stage for the announcement, with Society Patron Jenna Russell announcing Charlotte as the winner. Congratulations to all involved. As Society Chair Craig Glenday summed up, "It's a cliche but everyone's a winner. Just being able to sing Sondheim at the Sondheim is a treat - for the performers and the audience alike."
Photographs: Ian Bowkett
In the rehearsal room
Meet the Finalists
Cait du Feu
Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
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"I Wish I Could Forget You" from Passion
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"The Little Match Girl" by Darren Clark
About me: I was born and raised in Jersey, Channel Islands. I grew up in a very musical household and discovered my own passion for singing, acting and folk music. I spent lots of time singing and playing instruments in my bedroom, and after performing in a few school productions I joined The Theatre Workshop Jersey on a scholarship at the age of 15. I performed in productions around Jersey until the age of 18, when I moved to the UK and have been training in Musical Theatre at Mountview Academy ever since!
During my training, I have had the incredible opportunity to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in Magic at the Musicals, and at Elaine Paige’s 60th Anniversary concert at the Palladium alongside the rest of my cohort. I’ve also just finished performing in my final third-year show: Kander and Ebb’s Steel Pier, playing Rita Racine. I am so grateful for my time at Mountview and the beautiful people I got to share it with.
Sondheim Experience: In September 2025, my first third-year production was Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, where I was in the ensemble. I loved exploring our alternative take on the show, and found the material equally compelling and challenging — particularly our alto harmony in “God That’s Good!”. I would love to do another!
Favourite Sondheim song: It has to be “I Remember” from Evening Primrose. However, “Sunday” is an undeniable masterpiece.
Dream role: I have always wanted to play Sally Bowles in Cabaret, and Fantine in Les Misérables is definitely another dream role of mine.
Who most inspires you? Anaïs Mitchell is a huge inspiration for me. I am in awe of her career as a folk singer-songwriter, and also of her development of her album Hadestown into the musical. The way she has perfectly blended these two worlds is something I find incredibly inspiring and look to do in my career.
Liza Minnelli is also a great influence on my work, particularly her performance in the film Cabaret. Her authenticity and stage presence are unmatched. I keep a photo of her “New York, New York” performance at Liberty Weekend on my dressing table in shows as a reminder to be confident and trust myself!
"It is a huge honour to be selected and I am beyond grateful to have made it to this stage. I’ve always been incredibly moved and inspired by Sondheim’s work; his precision and dedication to storytelling are things I admire greatly. To be able to put this into practice at this beautiful venue, singing one of my favourite songs, is truly something I will treasure forever. Thank you to The Stephen Sondheim Society for this wonderful opportunity!"
Charlotte English
BIRD Conservatoire
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"I Read" from Passion
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"The Sparrow's Tale" by Darren Clark
About me: I was born in a town called Macclesfield in the north-west of England, surrounded by countryside and beautiful soft water! I've been interested in performing ever since performing as Villager 2 in The Pied Piper in Year 2! I started ballet and tap at age three, and knew that I loved performing. I then attended The Fallibroome Academy from Years 7 to 13, playing Scaramouche in We Will Rock You in my final year. I have been a part of many amateur dramatic performances, playing Ariel in Footloose, and almost Roxie in Chicago — but COVID got in the way! Then I attended BIRD Conservatoire, where I have just finished my run as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar.
Sondheim experience: In second year at BIRD Conservatoire, we carried out a Sondheim module. Our work of focus was Gypsy. I had the pleasure of working on “Some People”, learning about the level of detail needed to convey such layered lyrics. This work has continued into me performing this song at Crazy Coqs with some of my BIRD peers.
Favourite Sondheim song: “Stay With Me” from Into The Woods.
Dream role: Fantine in Les Misérables.
Who most inspires you? My friends! I have such a talented group of people around me, and their hard work and the wonderful opportunities they’ve had always inspire me to continue working on my skills.
"I think this is the most exciting opportunity I have been given. Sondheim’s writing encapsulates everything I love about musical theatre. Performing on the Sondheim Theatre stage is quite literally a dream come true, and I get to do it with my amazing friend Taziva-Faye."
Erica Schoebinger
Drama Studio London
• “Stay With Me” from Into The Woods
• “Change of Plan” from Ballad Lines by Finn Anderson
About me: I was born and raised in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains. I love the mountains! Wherever I go in the world, I take them with me.
My parents introduced me to musical theatre. My mum would try to show me West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Hello, Dolly! and so on, and I would always fall asleep, claiming they were “boring”. My taste has since developed and my mum was right! Golden Age musicals are awesome.
I’ve always loved performing. I remember playing “What Is This Feeling?” from Wicked on repeat. I would dance around my house, always begging my parents to film me. Expressing myself through song and dance has always been my happy place. I started performing in shows when I was eleven years old. In all the schools I attended, I performed in musical productions every year from ages 11 to 18. I later enrolled at Utah Valley University, where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. During my degree, I was cast in productions at two of the most beloved theatres in Utah — Hale Centre Theatre and Sundance Summer Theatre. Utah has a huge musical-theatre scene, and I feel so blessed to have grown up in an area that loves the arts.
Sondheim experience: The year after I graduated from high school, I performed in our alumni show, Into The Woods. I was cast as the Witch! It’s surreal to see myself eight years later, singing the exact same song, and to see how all the years of hard work have helped me to become the performer I am today.
Favourite Sondheim song: “Move On” from Sunday in the Park with George. It makes me cry every time.
Dream role: Glinda in Wicked and Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar. It’s impossible to pick between them.
Who most inspires you? My first inspiration is Stephanie J. Block. Every time I hear her sing, I feel like I’m understanding the song for the first time. When she sings, it’s magic. My second inspiration is my voice teacher, Kerilyn. She taught me everything I know about music and singing. She pushed me to be better, to work harder and to believe in myself. She used vocal technique to help one’s soul shine through singing. She also spread such love and joy to everyone she knew. I hope to be like her one day.
"Manifestation is real! My 2026 vision board literally has two iconic photos of Stephen Sondheim and a photo of the Sondheim Theatre. I wish I could attach the vision board for all to see. SSSSPOTY is the whole reason I started singing again. After recovering from a vocal injury, I was still struggling to sing. Then, right before moving to London, my voice teacher, Kerilyn, passed away. On top of struggling to sing, I was then unable to sing altogether without crying, so I quit. When I learned of SSSSPOTY, I set a goal to sing every day after school. Preparing for and participating in SSSSPOTY has been a healing balm, as well as a catalyst in helping me to rediscover my love for singing. Being selected as a finalist still feels like a dream. I’m so thankful for this opportunity."
Freddy Thompson
Trinity Laban
• “Giants In The Sky” from Into The Woods
• “Anna” from The Stationmaster by Tim Connor
About me: I was born in Greenwich, London. I first became interested in performing as a kid. I always wanted to be a rock star. In Year 7, I was lucky enough to play Khashoggi in We Will Rock You at school, and from that point my love for musical theatre and acting really grew.
I went on to study Musical Theatre at the BRIT School, where I had the opportunity to perform in a range of productions. In my final performance there, I played Enjolras in Les Misérables, which I particularly enjoyed.
During my gap year, I focused more on screen acting, appearing in and writing a number of short films, which helped broaden my experience beyond theatre. I also play guitar and have been writing songs since I was around 11. Most recently, I performed as Arpad in She Loves Me, which was a brilliant experience and a role I really loved.
Sondheim experience: In my second year at Trinity, our year group performed a Sondheim showcase, where I performed “Kiss Me” as Anthony Hope and “The Ballad of Booth” as the Balladeer. Performing two very different roles gave me the opportunity to explore both the light and shade within Sondheim’s work, playing a character driven by optimism within a darker context, as well as stepping into the role of an audience-facing narrator telling a much more overtly dark story, set against music with a surprisingly upbeat tone.
Favourite Sondheim song: “Being Alive” from Company.
Dream role: Mickey in Blood Brothers, Tobias in Sweeney Todd and Moritz in Spring Awakening.
Who most inspires you? Daniel Radcliffe. What I find inspiring about him is that every project feels like he’s adding another string to his bow as an actor, playing someone completely different to the point where, in some films, he’s almost unrecognisable from the person who played Harry Potter. In theatre, I love him in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and especially Merrily We Roll Along. He makes every word count, and his performances are really characterful and intentional. He’s not afraid to go left-field either. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is a great example of that. He’s always looking to do something different and never really plays it safe.
I’m buzzing to be here. I’m a massive fan of Sondheim and Les Mis, so getting to perform Sondheim at the theatre where Les Misérables is performed is honestly unreal. I watched last year’s finalists and already knew how special this opportunity is, so to actually be in it now feels pretty mad in the best way.
Josephine Shaw
Royal College of Music
• “No One Is Along” from Into The Woods
• “Clockwork” from The Clockmaker's Daughter by Michael Webborn & Daniel Finn
About me: I was born in Chicago, but was raised in the UK from the age of three. I’ve been a strange-noise-maker since childhood, which got channelled into slightly more pleasant musical noises when I was about eight! That’s when I saw my first musical ever — Wicked — and would sing along to the soundtrack on repeat for months afterwards. That led to singing in children’s choirs, which led to performing in the children’s chorus at the Royal Ballet and Opera, then the Royal Opera House, for La Bohème, which introduced me to the wonderful world of opera. Ever since, I’ve dual-wielded my love of musical theatre and classical music, and want to share that with audiences wherever I can.
Since starting my training at music conservatoire, I’ve been lucky to sing some great operatic roles, including Galatea in Handel’s Acis and Galatea, and, in opera scenes, Adina from Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. I’ve had the recent privilege of playing Julie Jordan in Carousel with NYMT this past summer, which has been an absolute dream role and dream production. I’m especially passionate about bringing new audiences to theatre and showcasing all the work that goes into putting it together through behind-the-scenes and day-in-the-life content online!
Sondheim experience: My very first exposure to Sondheim was as a child extra in the Into The Woods movie adaptation, where we had to listen to the same eight bars of “Ever After” on repeat for about two days straight as we shot and re-shot Anna Kendrick and Chris Pine riding down a hill past waving villagers in a horse-drawn carriage. What can I say? Those 0.5 seconds of screen time were worth it for introducing me to one of the world’s greatest composers, and ever since, I’ve been the odd child begging for Sondheim’s memoir books for her 16th birthday. I am yet to have the privilege of performing in a full Sondheim show, but I dearly hope to be involved in many over the course of my career!
Favourite Sondheim song: It’s got to be “Sunday” from Sunday in the Park with George. Something about those harmonies just moves me to tears.
Dream role: Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera, Cinderella from both the works of Sondheim and his predecessors, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and Clara in The Light in the Piazza.
Who most inspires you? As a performer who straddles the line between musical theatre and opera, performers like Kelli O’Hara, Renée Fleming and Danielle de Niese have truly paved the way for a career in both industries! They are all stunning artists who bring believable storytelling to the forefront with grace and commitment, no matter the art form. The Venn diagram of opera and musical theatre is more like a circle than people think.
"It feels especially meaningful to be the first person, to my knowledge, to represent the Royal College of Music at the finals, singing the music of one of my favourite composers! The utter commitment to clarity and storytelling in his writing inspires me to strive for the same in my own performance. Coming from a classical background, it means a lot to prove to myself that there are no limitations on the art form I can perform in. It will be such an honour to stand alongside my fellow finalists on the stage of the Sondheim Theatre in celebration of musical theatre and its future."
Marcus Harman
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
• “Finishing The Hat” from Sunday In The Park With George
• “Subway” from Unexpected Beautiful by Eamonn O’Dwyer
About me: I was born in London. My family run a regional theatre in the Cheshire countryside, so I grew up stage-managing, sticking sequins on shoes, sitting in the back of rehearsals and catching the acting bug. I was a chorister, I trained as a treble at the Brompton Oratory, and when my voice broke, I threw myself into my acting. For a long time, I played all the female parts in the Shakespeare plays at my all-boys school. I also did three productions with NYMT. When I was 19, I was cast as the Alternate for Evan Hansen in the original West End production of Dear Evan Hansen. I then went on to study History of Art at The Courtauld for my undergraduate degree, and studied playwriting under the late, great John Burgess, one of the founders of the National Theatre Studio. This time last year, I got to perform some of my writing at the NT Studio and performed as Titania in a charity performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. I am now at Royal Welsh on an MA in Acting.
Sondheim experience: As a child, my best friend was cast as the little girl in Trevor Nunn’s production of A Little Night Music. She brought me into the fold, introducing me to the work of Stephen Sondheim. I felt like I was in on some wonderful secret. I was completely obsessed with the intelligent, funny and deeply felt world of Sondheim. I would watch all of the PBS recordings and all the filmed concerts. I even organised a concert of Sondheim music at my school. When I was 16, I was over the moon to be cast in the National Youth Music Theatre’s production of Sunday in the Park with George. And that was my first and only time performing in a Sondheim musical. It was so pleasurable to spend an extended period with his music, letting it soak in and hearing different meanings and hidden depths in it every time.
Favourite Sondheim song: “The Miller’s Son” from A Little Night Music.
Dream role: George in Sunday in the Park with George.
Who most inspires you? Daniel Evans. He is such a brilliant actor who has played such incredible roles and is now running the RSC. He acts, he directs, and he runs a building. I think it’s so valuable to have as many strings to your bow as you can: to be on the other side of the table sometimes, to be a good actor, director, writer, producer and well-rounded artist. He has achieved so much and works in every area; he manages to move between so many different worlds.
Adrian Lester also comes to mind as someone who has had a similarly varied and impressive career on screen, having played great Shakespearean roles and also performed in Sweeney Todd, Company and Guys and Dolls.
"Being selected for the Final means the world to me. I have never fit into the box of heroic leading man in most musicals, but Sondheim writes subversive and surprising roles that I can really see myself in. Making it to the final feels like a recognition of my connection to this amazing material, and that there might be a place for me in this industry. When I discovered Sondheim as a young person, it instantly gave me a sense that there was work and a community that I wanted to be a part of. I have attended the SSSSPOTY final before and it was an electric room to be in. I am excited to be a part of a cohort of buzzing students sharing their love for an incredible composer/writer."
Rebecca Hennessey
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
• “I Remember” from Evening Primrose
• “All On The Blue Lias” from Extinction by Teresa Howard and Steven Edis
About me: I was born and raised in Cardiff. I first became interested in performing when I joined a youth musical-theatre class, Ascendance Theatre Arts, at RWCMD — mainly, I think, to stop me singing around the house. I quickly fell in love with performing, and it became the place where I felt most like myself. My first role was as the Artful Dodger in Oliver! on the Richard Burton stage. I also took part in high-school productions, playing roles such as Elle in Legally Blonde, Nickie in Sweet Charity and Deloris in Sister Act. As I got older, I moved more into acting and joined Everyman Youth Theatre, where I was introduced to both Shakespeare and contemporary plays. I performed in open-air festivals across Cardiff and Wales, in roles such as Regan in King Lear, Ariel in The Tempest and Adriana in The Comedy of Errors.
Before starting my degree, I attended Bridgend College on the gap-year course. That time was invaluable in building my confidence and resilience, helping me understand the kind of performer I wanted to be and securing my place at RWCMD.
Training on the acting course has since shaped how I approach my work, allowing me to connect more deeply to character and find truth in what I do. A highlight has been playing Hamlet in Hamlet, which challenged me and pushed me further than ever before. Performing on the Richard Burton stage felt particularly special, bringing my journey full circle from where I first began.
Sondheim experience: I haven’t been in a Sondheim play yet, but I am crossing my fingers! I was first introduced to his work when I studied Sweeney Todd for my A Levels.
Favourite Sondheim song: “Being Alive” from Company.
Dream role: Veronica in Heathers.
Who most inspires you? I’m inspired every day by my year group at RWCMD; the commitment and passion everyone brings into the room pushes me to work harder and makes me feel incredibly grateful to be part of it.
I also feel very lucky to have had such dedicated tutors. Their passion for teaching is super inspiring. In particular, my tutor and director, Patricia Logue, has had a huge impact on me; her insight and guidance over the years are things I really trust and value. Alongside this, the support of my family and friends has been so important. Having all of these people around me inspires me to keep growing and striving to be better.
"I’m delighted and honoured to be sharing a West End stage with 14 other performers this afternoon. My cheeks genuinely hurt from smiling. It’s a real privilege to be in London, surrounded by Sondheim’s work, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been chosen to help celebrate it. I’m so excited for what’s to come!"
Róisín Holland
Emil Dale Academy
• “Move On” from Sunday In The Park With George
• “The Girl Next Door” from Lifeboats by Gus Gowland
About me: I was born and raised in the countryside of Galway on the west coast of Ireland. I went to traditional secondary school there, graduated during the pandemic and then moved to Greece to work as a vocalist in five-star holiday resorts. Since then, I’ve lived in Cyprus, also working as a vocalist, and in Barcelona as an English teacher!
I’ve loved music ever since I can remember; my mum always says I was singing before I could speak! I was in my secondary-school choir and did some amateur theatre growing up — the school musical, amateur pantomime and a production of Oliver! with Galway Musical Society. In Greece and Cyprus, I performed six nights a week doing shows like a Queen tribute, Grease, Dirty Dancing, a Disney show, Riverdance, Chicago and The Greatest Showman, as well as solo cabaret sets. At this time, I was planning on moving back to Galway and studying something “academic”, but after travelling and working so many different jobs, I finally decided to pursue performing full-time in 2023, and took my first singing lessons then in preparation for drama-school auditions.
I’m currently working as a street musician on Shop Street in Galway during the holidays, and have been able to help fund my training at Emil Dale Academy thanks to the kindness and support of the people of Galway, something for which I’m ever grateful.
Sondheim experience: I loved Into The Woods and Sweeney Todd, as well as the song “Send in the Clowns”, as a young teenager. I got the opportunity to study Sondheim’s work last year when I started my formal training at EDA. Since then, I have fallen in love with his clever lyricism and intricate explorations of universal yet complex themes.
Favourite Sondheim song: I think it has to be “Being Alive” from Company. It captures the beautifully raw contradictions of what it is to be human so well; I always feel emotional after listening to it. I especially love the arrangement from Putting It Together.
Dream role: There are so many, but my absolute dream role would be Christine in The Phantom of the Opera. I would also love to be Eurydice in Hadestown and Sally Bowles in Cabaret.
Who most inspires you? There are so many people who inspire me. My parents, how hard they work and the joy and magic they continue to create in life; my partner, Aida, who, even after losing her beautiful mum, Carmen, last year, remains one of the most hardworking, dedicated and compassionate people in the whole world.
Trailblazing Irish actors Nicola Coughlan, who I coincidentally went to the same secondary school as, and Jessie Buckley inspire me for their strong sense of self and incredibly nuanced portrayals of emotion.
Alyssa Liu for her outlook on life and success. Sierra Boggess, Rachel Tucker and Eva Noblezada for their incredible voices and acting. I couldn’t choose just one person — I’m influenced by so many remarkable individuals, each of whom has shaped me in different ways.
"It means so much to be selected as a finalist for SSSSPOTY. When I began this journey, I had no idea what I was doing or whether I would be any good at it; all I knew was that I found great joy in singing. Over the last year and a half, I threw myself into acting, and discovered how sharing stories, communicating experiences, interpreting the world through this art form and making people feel gave me such a sense of purpose and fulfilment. To be named one of just 12 finalists is genuinely surreal — it means more to me than I can fully put into words. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to perform on this incredible stage; it is an absolute dream come true, and an experience I will never forget."
Rosie Sutton
University of Oxford
• “Getting Married Today” from Company
• “Colour in My Cheeks” from Heart of Winter by Tim Connor
About me: I was born in London but moved to Hertfordshire when I was seven, and have lived there ever since. I grew up in a very musical household, where my sister and I spent many an evening dancing around the living room while my dad played show tunes on the piano. My first experience of performing was at the age of six, when I sang “Naughty” from Matilda in a talent show, and I got such bad stage fright that I ran offstage in tears. I’m happy to say that I’ve since learned how to keep my cool onstage, and have been performing regularly ever since!
While at secondary school, I attended weekly performing-arts training with Brilliant Theatre Arts and performed in their intensively rehearsed summer musicals and in their contribution to the 2021 National Theatre Connections festival. I’m extremely indebted to the support, training and opportunities they offered me. Going forward, I’m excited to be joining this year’s intake of National Youth Theatre members.
Alongside a passion for musical theatre, I’m a keen composer and musician, which led me to study music at the University of Oxford. While I don’t study a performing-arts degree, I’m lucky that my university has an incredible student-theatre scene, which has allowed me to continue developing as a performer and a theatremaker alongside my studies. As a student, I’ve performed in six shows and directed two original musicals, one of which had a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the second of which closes at the North Wall Arts Centre the day before the SSSSPOTY final! The highlight of my student-theatre experience so far was getting to play Amy in Company at the Oxford Playhouse, produced by Fennec Fox Productions.
Sondheim experience: My earliest experience with Sondheim’s work was listening to the soundtrack of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum on a family car journey — “Comedy Tonight” was a particular favourite. Since then, I’ve loved his music, and spent a lot of time in junior school trying to learn songs like “I Know Things Now” and “Getting Married Today” from YouTube lyric videos, even as half of the jokes went over my head.
The rest of my family are also fans, so I’ve been lucky enough to see several Sondheim shows live, like The Frogs and the 2018 revival of Company. I first got to perform in a Sondheim show in my first year at university, playing Lucinda in Lovelock Productions’ Into The Woods at the Oxford Playhouse.
Sondheim was also a set composer on my A-Level music syllabus, so I could spend hours singing through his shows and call it revision. I even wrote my own version of the opening number of Company as a composition exercise! It’s been such a fun journey to see how I’ve connected with his work in different ways as I’ve grown and changed, both as a person and as a musician and performer. There’s always more to discover; there’s something for everyone.
Favourite Sondheim song: “Being Alive” will always have a special place in my heart, but for sheer fun it has to be “Your Fault”.
Dream role: Eurydice in Hadestown or Dot in Sunday in the Park with George.
Who most inspires you? All of my family, but especially my mum, dad and sister. My mum is incredibly hardworking and compassionate, and she’s the first person I go to for any sort of advice. She’s the reason I know what a good leader looks like and what good dancing feels like. My dad’s passion and talent for music, theatre and composition is what inspires my own. He inspires me to listen more, play more, write more and learn more. I would never have achieved the musical milestones I have without his support. Finally, my sister is simply the kindest person you’ll ever meet, committed to putting good into the world wherever she goes. She inspires me to be a better person in all aspects of life.
"It is an overwhelming honour to have been selected to be in the final for SSSSPOTY 2026, and I’m still pretty sure I’ve made it all up! I never once thought that I would get this far. I’m beyond excited to perform a song that has meant so much to me for such a long time, and to get to do so alongside so many talented young performers."
Ruby Decent
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
• “By The Sea” from Sweeney Todd
• “See-Through” from In Clay by Jack Miles and Rebecca Simmonds
About me: I was born and spent my childhood in Bury St Edmunds. I then moved to London in 2023 for a Foundation in Acting course at RADA, then to Bristol for my degree.
I’ve been singing away since the ripe old age of four, when I joined The Voice Squad, a local singing group. This is where my love for performing definitely began, trying to hold tunes and learning lyrics long before I could read. I massively looked up to the teenagers in the group, and watching them pursue performing made me realise that it was a possibility. After 12 amazing years with them — and school shows such as Pirates of the Curry-Bean — I decided I should really try taking this performing thing seriously.
It was in Bury St Edmunds town centre that I bumped into a family friend who told me about NYMT, the National Youth Music Theatre. It sounded pretty cool and I decided to audition. Since 2016, I have been hugely grateful to be involved with NYMT — from new musicals to classics such as Ragtime. I’ve been lucky enough to explore a fantastic variety of styles that have been hugely formative.
Sondheim experience: Although I have never performed in a Sondheim show, I’ve watched and listened to his work over the years — I think long before I knew who Stephen Sondheim actually was! Only recently do I think I’ve really got to grips with the wonder of his music. As part of NYMT’s Platform company this year, we performed a Sunday in the Park with George medley and it really moved me. Something definitely clicked working on that.
Favourite Sondheim song: Oh golly, well… “The Ladies Who Lunch” and “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd”. So bitter and delicious.
Dream role: Non-Sondheim: Norma Desmond. Sondheim: Mrs Lovett.
Who most inspires you? I’m constantly inspired by my epically talented peers; they are very, very immense. As well as them, all the wonderful people I have had the luxury of working with or encountering within this industry, who are entirely dedicated to this incomparable craft, which holds so much power for positive action!
"This is truly so wild and extremely unbelievable! I’m still giddy and will be for a very long time. I watched this competition for the first time a few years back and to even think I’m going to be giving it a whirl is just ridiculous! A massive thank you to the Society for this opportunity."
Samuel Louis Bennett
Italia Conti
• “The Waiter’s Song” from Here We Are
• “Bumpety Road” by Tim Sutton
About me: I was born and adopted in South London, but I was raised in Farnham, which is a small town just outside Guildford.
Growing up, I was never much of a performing kid; I was far too shy! I remember watching Matilda when I was 12 years old, thinking I was past my prime and that I’d never be that talented! I started performing in church holiday-club dramas to entertain the kids, which we would write and perform in, and I’d perform in school shows. It took till I was 16 for me to take performing seriously, which I thought was quite late! I started training at GSA Saturday School, joined ClassAction Theatre at Godalming College, doing shows like Rent and Cabaret, and was fortunate enough to get into Trinity Laban to study it full-time. Since then, I have immersed myself in as much theatre as I can, doing multiple NYMT shows, including a supporting act at SSSSPOTY, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Woman in White with Quick Fantastic, and I have just played Georg Nowack in She Loves Me at Trinity Laban! The more theatre I do, the more and more I fall in love with it.
Sondheim experience: I was lucky enough to be in NYMT’s Into The Woods at the Southwark Playhouse, in which I ended up puppeteering Milky White as well as emergency-covering the Baker. I never had to go on, thanks to the amazing Olly Adams, but I did learn the part in two days! I also performed in my second-year Sondheim showcase, taking the role of vocal captain for my group and playing Xanthias from The Frogs. But most of my experience comes down to me in my uni accommodation spending hours practising “Franklin Shepard, Inc.” and the patter section of “Colour and Light”.
Favourite Sondheim song: “Finishing the Hat”. It may be my favourite song ever, to be honest; the way it communicates the need to create is just unmatched.
Dream role: It’s hard to say; there are a few. George in Sunday, George McFly in Back to the Future, Charlie in Merrily and Charles Guiteau in Assassins. A couple of Georges, a couple of Charlies. A whole lot of Sondheim.
Who most inspires you? Jesus is an easy number one. Performance-wise, I’d definitely say Mandy Patinkin, for his ability to mix strong characters with a gentleness and a sensitivity. I was lucky enough to see him in concert in the West End, just him and a piano. Most heartfelt performance of “Rainbow Connection” I’ve ever heard.
"To be here is an absolute honour. I sat and watched the finalists two years ago and thought, “I love Sondheim, I would love to do that!” To know that I could go from watching in the rafters to singing on the stage seems utterly mental to me, and I’m so grateful. I’m also honoured to be the first person to be able to perform my song in this competition, and possibly outside its original production! So thank you for the permission to bring such fun and wonderful material to this stage, and thank you to Rhona and Archie, who helped me develop it!"
Taziva-Faye Katsande
BIRD Conservatoire
• “Last Midnight” from Into the Woods
• “Peace in the Puzzle” from Turing: A Musical by Darren Clark
About me: I was born in Slough but was raised in Jersey, Channel Islands, where I lived for the first 10 years of my life. When I was 10, my entire family moved their whole lives from Jersey back to England, as I had booked my first job as Alice in Matilda in the West End. Being on the West End at the age of 10 was the most surreal feeling. Then I auditioned for Sylvia Young Theatre School and was offered a full scholarship. Sylvia Young truly changed my life for the better. I then went on to play Annie in the Annie UK tour and Tallulah in the Bugsy Malone UK tour. I owe this all to Sylvia Young. Fast-forward to the present day, I was offered a full scholarship to BIRD College, where I’m in my final year. From 10 years old to now 18 years old, I owe musical theatre my life.
Sondheim experience: At BIRD, we did a Sondheim module. I was cast as the Witch. The Witch is one of the most complex characters I’ve ever delved into. Her nuances and character journey are so fascinating, and this module led to my love of Into The Woods. I loved watching Patina Miller’s rendition of “Last Midnight”. Her rendition is what led me to choose this song for the competition.
Favourite Sondheim song: “Losing My Mind” from Follies.
Dream role: Deena in Dreamgirls. Dreamgirls has always been a dream of mine. The hard topics that need to be discussed but are sometimes dismissed are put right in front of you through song, dance and acting. To have the honour of playing Deena Jones would change my life.
Who most inspires you? Cynthia Erivo inspires me so much. A Black woman who has achieved so much and is so unapologetically herself is so inspiring, and I aspire to be like her: to inspire young Black girls who don’t believe the theatre industry is for them.
"I am so grateful to have been chosen as one of the Sondheim finalists. I never believed I’d get this far. I have always doubted my voice when singing Sondheim songs. I’ve always tried to fit a mould of singing that I don’t sound like, but to sing like myself and be able to make it to the final is a blessing — and to be able to be in the final with my best friend Charlotte English. Thank you!"
Meet the Reserves
Nicholas McKeown
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
• “Finishing The Hat” from Sunday In The Park With George
• “Looking At The Moon” by Amir Shoenfeld and Caitlyn Burt
About me: I was actually born in Islington in London but I grew up in a little village called White Colne in the countryside of Essex. I got into performing mainly because it was something my older brother was doing when he was younger and then when he stopped I just carried on and it became more than a hobby, I think I was around 12 or 13 when I started to do some proper shows outside of just school. So when I was about 15 I started to think about possibly doing this more and more professionally. So I decided to go to college in London at Bodens College of Performing Arts and after three years there performing in many shows, musicals, plays and everything else, I decided I wanted to train in Acting and was lucky enough to get a place at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama where I’m now two terms into my first year having the best time.
Sondheim experience: My first experience of Sondheim was performing in Into The Woods when I was 17 as The Baker. And after nerding-out about all the genius in that show for the entire rehearsal process, I realised I really liked Sondheim’s work and so during that process I started watching and listening to everything I could about him and all his other shows.
Favourite Sondheim song: I think “Move On” is a masterpiece on its own and also because of how it works in the show and what it resolves. Especially once you hear “We Do Not Belong Together”, getting “Move On” an hour later just does something to an audience. In the same vein, “No One Is Alone” does the same thing, so many mini masterpieces in his work.
Who most inspires you? I’ve had so many great friends and teachers who are just brilliant and I’ve learnt so much from, but to say one person I’d go with my brother. His creativity is what got me inspired in the first place when I was younger so it still does to this day.
"Being here today is crazy! Really really grateful that I get to be a part of this thank you so so much to everyone involved for letting me come and enjoy all this talent on show! One of the coolest things I’ve ever gotten to do for sure!"
Phoebe Graham
LAMDA
• “Ladies Who Lunch” from Company
• “Black Eyed Susan” by Eamonn O'Dwyer
About me: My mother was an opera singer and so music was always honoured above all else in the house. From an inappropriately young age I was obsessed with Chicago, and would put on little Roxie Hart jazz numbers in the living room. The highlight of school was getting to perform in plays and musicals such as Anything Goes and when I was old enough I sang jazz covers with a band at functions and local bars. More recently, I’ve written and performed with the sketch comedy group “The Leeds Tealights” and have taken numerous comedy shows to The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. (Naturally, Funny Girl is a sacred text to me). Due to my background in acting and comedy, I have considered myself an actor who sings rather than a Musical Theatre performer. However, since training at LAMDA I now aspire for a career in Musical Theatre too. A comedic role in a musical would be the ultimate dream.
Sondheim experience: My first introduction to Sondheim was watching West Side Story (1961) which I believe to be one of the most perfect movies of all time. I also adored Company at the West End in 2018. Last year I was inspired by the singers at Sondheim Unplugged, when I went to support my friends at The Other Palace. But actually it was my MT society’s rendition of Into The Woods at Leeds University that stayed with me the most. It had no budget but the heart of the music was so resonant and their voices were so powerful; it made me weep! Oh and I also saw Here We Are, which was quite insane!
Favourite Sondheim song: Either “Being Alive” or “Losing My Mind”. I can’t pick – sorry!
Who most inspires you? All the funny women. In particular, the women on UK SNL at the moment, especially the ones I’ve seen perform in tiny venues at Ed Fringe not too long ago. As a queer comedian, naturally, my current inspiration also has to be the cast of Oh Mary! (a dream role). Mason Alexander Park is a Genius, I think. (Also Eva Noblezada).
"It means I’m going to be quite unbearable to be around as I am afraid the honour has gone straight to my head! My ego is through the roof! But really, though, this means the absolute world and I’m honestly shocked to have been selected alongside so many incredible singers. Sondheim’s music means so much to so many people and so to get to sing his music on his stage is a huge privilege. My opera-singer mother will be very proud indeed."
Teddy Thompson
ArtsEd
• “Franklin Shepard, Inc.” from Merrily We Roll Along
• May As Well And Why Not” by Craig Adams & Nona Sheppard
About me: as raised in the small town of Lanark, Scotland. I loved growing up there and wouldn’t change it for the world but I think I always knew it wasn’t for me! My first experience of a musical was at a young age seeing my Auntie perform in our local am-dram, and after that I became hooked. So much so that the following year, I was the only boy in the all-girls orphanage in their production of Annie! To this day, she’s one of my biggest supporters.
Fast forward 10 years and I’d been in just about every youth amateur show that I could get my hands on. For my final year of high-school, I gained a place at The Dance School of Scotland on their one-year Intensive Musical Theatre course and so packed up my things and moved to Glasgow. It was there I gained the training and expertise to take what I love and do it professionally, as well as making so many life-long friendships. It was also there that I found out I gained a place at my dream school, ArtsEd.
Sondheim experience: As such a huge Sondheim fan, it feels insane to say that I’ve never had the opportunity to perform in a full production of his shows. However, we did Company for our 2nd year Singing Project at ArtsEd and I was lucky enough to play Bobby!
Favourite Sondheim song: This varies and will have changed since writing this. “By The Sea” from Sweeney Todd and “Stay With Me” from Into The Woods are some of my staples.
Who most inspires you? My year at ArtsEd! So many of the most talented and hard-working people from across the country, and to be able to work alongside them is something I’m so grateful for. Everyone is so supportive and I can’t wait for grad year!
"It’s such a privilege to be involved in the Sondheim final! To be sharing the stage with such talented individuals while honouring Sondheim is a dream."
Oscar was unable to attend owing to illness; the role of Host was carried out by Bella Brown.
Host: Oscar Conlon-Morrey is an award-winning actor, singer, compère, comedian and cabaret artist. His performance credits include: Mr Bumble/1st cover Fagin in Matthew Bourne's Oliver! (Gielgud Theatre), Jack in Mother Goose opposite Sir Ian McKellen (Duke of York Theatre and UK Tour), Dating Agent, Danny Driscoll and comedy multi-rolling in Only Fools and Horses the Musical (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Nativity the Musical (Hammersmith Apollo and UK Tour), Rehab the Musical (Neon 194, Piccadilly), Treason (London Palladium and UK Tour), The Toxic Avenger The Musical (The Arts Theatre, Leicester Square), The Rise and Fall of Robert Earl of Loxley (Shakespeare’s Globe).
Oscar was awarded Julia McKenzie’s special comedy prize at The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year 2017. That same year, he received the Gyearbour Asante Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts Valedictorian Award for achieving the highest scoring degree in his graduating year.
Oscar makes his screenwriting and film debut in Oscar Wilde About America, which features scene partners Rosemary Harris and Kate Burton, due for release across US and UK film festivals later this year.
Replacement Host: Bella Brown trained at Arts Educational School, graduating in 2023. She most recently played Rapunzel in Jordan Fein's award-winning production of Into The Woods at the Bridge Theatre. Prior to this she was Mistress/Alternate Eva in Jamie Lloyd's Evita at the London Palladium and Fate & u/s Eurydice in Hadestown (Lyric Theatre). Bella was in the company of Sondheim's Old Friends at the Gielgud and u/s Dee at Rock Follies (Minerva Theatre, Chichester).
Bella is soon to be seen in the role of The Piercings in the comedy movie Girl Group, written and directed by Rebel Wilson.