Get to know the judges of SSSSPOTY 2025: CATHERINE JAYES

Musical Director Catherine Jayes joins panel of judges at Stephen Sondheim student competition

Catherine Jayes is an experienced Musical Director and Musical Supervisor whose Sondheim credits include MD/Supervisor roles in Pacific Overtures (Japan/UK), Merrily We Roll Along (West End/Broadway/Menier Chocolate Factory), Road Show (Menier), Sweeney Todd, Anyone Can Whistle and Gypsy.

CREDITS... For the Royal Shakespeare Company: A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations and As You Like It.

Musical Supervision and/or Musical Direction credits: Pacific Overtures (Japan/UK); The Color Purple (Broadway/Menier); Merrily We Roll Along (West End/Broadway/Menier); Road Show and She Loves Me (Menier).

Catherine was also Musical Director at the Open Air Theatre for many years, both as MD and Composer. Productions include: The Pirates of Penzance, Boys from Syracruse, The Boyfriend, Kiss Me, Kate and High Society.

As Orchestrator/Supervisor: In Dreams (Toronto/Leeds), Gypsy, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls, Sweeney Todd, Anyone Can Whistle (various UK theatres)/ For actors/musicians: Candide, Animal Farm, Crazy for You and Calamity Jane (Watermill/Nottingham/touring).

As Composer: A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Tempest, As You Like It (Shakespeare's Globe); An Ideal Husband, Shadowlands and The Chalk Garden (Chichester); The Mandate (National Theatre); The Letter (Wyndham's); The Changeling, The Duchess of Malfi and Cymbeline (Cheek by Jowl).

Films include: Allelujah, De-Lovely, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Stoker. Recordings include: The Card and The Color Purple (Grammy winner).

Catherine is an Associate Director of Cheek by Jowl.

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