Sondheim Theatre – 9 June 2024
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
5*****
It was a joy to spend Sunday in the Sondheim Theatre with Bonnie for the 16th annual competition to find the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year (or SSSSSPOTY – an acronym which gave host Bonnie Langford plenty of comedy moments).
This year’s 12 finalists were chosen from over 330 applicants dreaming of following in the footsteps of former winners such as Cynthia Erivo, Taron Egerton, Erin Doherty, Oscar Conlon-Morrey, and Alex Young. The celebratory afternoon began with the finalists and reserves singing Beautiful Girls which Bonnie Langford claimed as a suitable introduction, setting the tone for her warm and charming hosting role, full of encouragement for the performers and self-deprecating jokes.
Each finalist performed a Sondheim number and a song from the New UK Musicals collective, and the standard of performance was thrillingly high. Accompanied by musical director Nigel Lilley, each gave their all and were buoyed by the enthusiastic support of the audience.
While the judging panel deliberated, we were treated to performances from NYMT ensemble, last year’s winner Milly Willows reprising her winning number Worst Pies in London in triumphant style, as well as past and future Jacks, Joaquin Pedro Valdez and Ronav Jain, singing Giants in the Sky with wide-eyed energy, Molly Osborne and Jack Quarton performing the charming Time from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, before Bonnie Langford treated us to another barnstorming rendition of I’m Still Here (but, in those heels, without kicks and splits).
Holly Adams, Brooke Bazarian, Harrison Langham, Katie Leach, Rowen Newsome, Tumi Olufawo, Thomas Oxley, Daisy Pearson and Josh Rosewood all impressed in many different ways, with some wringing the heartstrings and others leaning into comedy moments delightfully.
The judging panel – Edward Seckerson, Fra Fee, Callum Scott Howells, Jak Malone, and Jenna Russell – had a tough task with such talented performers but came to a harmonious decision. Oliver Halford (Emil Dale Academy) was commended for his energetic comedy singing I’m Calm from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and his moving performance of Infinity from The Blackfriars Boys by Josh Sneesby and Sarah Middleton. The runner-up was Gavin Rasmussen (LAMDA) with his impressive delivery of Marry Me a Little from Company and an unforgettable, magnificently OTT rendition of Tartarus from The Sorrows of Satan by Luke Bateman and Michael Conley. The deserving winner, scooping £1000 was Madeleine Morgan (Royal Academy of Music) with a beautifully mature and nuanced performance of Moments in the Woods from Into the Woods and an emotional Running on Empty from Mayflies by Gus Gowland. A lovely moment after the prizegiving saw Bonnie Langford clearing the stage for Madelaine to perform and telling her she can command the stage, but Madeleine asking her quietly to stay, so Bonnie sat cross legged at the side of the stage for support, basking in Madeleine Morgan’s stunning performance, and exemplifying the celebratory and nurturing atmosphere that abounded in the theatre even though this was a competition.
A wonderful afternoon well spent celebrating the glorious music and legacy of Stephen Sondheim, new British musical writing, and the exciting futures ahead for the talented young performers.