Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize 2025
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Join us for an unforgettable evening of showstopping new musical theatre, brought to life by a sensational cast of West End stars. The Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize, produced by Mercury Musical Developments in partnership with PW Productions, returns for its 18th year, spotlighting the UK’s most exciting emerging songwriting talent.
Selected from 230 submissions, twelve outstanding new songs from the musicals of tomorrow will take centre stage, offering a first look at the future voices of British theatre. Curated and championed by the celebrated writing duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe (Mary Poppins, Half a Sixpence, Honk!), this prestigious prize continues to elevate the next generation of musical theatre creators.
This one-night-only gala, hosted by Oscar Conlon-Morrey (Oliver!, Only Fools and Horses), will also celebrate recent and upcoming new British musicals, featuring songs from hit shows including Hot Mess, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and Ballad Lines. The concert is directed by Kate Golledge, with music direction by Flynn Sturgeon. A panel of industry judges, including Melanie La Barrie, Pippa Cleary, Joanne Benjamin, George Stiles and Anthony Drewe will award the prize for the winning song.
As the UK’s membership organisation for musical theatre writers, Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) is committed to nurturing new voices and supporting bold, original work. Every ticket sold helps secure the future of British musical theatre. This event is generously supported by PW Productions, Dorico and Tarento Productions.
CAST
Host: Oscar Conlon-Morrey
Amira Al Shanti
Craig Mather
Danielle Steers
Emma Williams
Gina Beck
Jade Oswald
Kim Criswell
Lauren Conroy
Lizzy-Rose Esin-Kelly
Peter Polycarpou
Tori Allen-Martin
Tyrone Huntley
FINALISTS LINE-UP
‘A Little Girl’ from The Fossil Finder by Ben Cahill-Nicholls
‘And Begin’ from For All Time by Zach Burns & Oli Adcock
‘Beyond The Break’ from Floaties by Michael Kooman & Christopher Dimond
‘Fly’ from 73 Seconds by Jordan Li-Smith
‘Nice Girls Never Win’ from VAMP by Sarah Middleton & Eleanor Isherwood
‘Once a Year’ from Clockwork Christmas by Anton Mouzykantskii & Craig Adams
‘Purple Striped Tiger’ from Spark! by J Edna Mae Thomas
‘Reason and Love’ from The Debutantes by Sam Norman & Eliza Randall
‘Steal My Heart’ from Dreamland by Michael Praed
‘Sunbird’ from Immigration Crisis: The Musical by Tyler McKinnon, Chantelle Micallef Grimaud & Zoë Farrugia
‘Time’ from Work Wife by Ashton Moore
‘Yes I Confess’ from Clara at the Door with a Revolver by Ayanna Witter-Johnson
Produced by Mercury Musical Developments in partnership with PW Productions.