TL student in final of West End Sondheim Competition
Fri 29 April 2022Cassius Hackforth in the running to be crowned Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year 2022
After a COVID-enforced hiatus, the celebrated Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year competition returns for its 14th anniversary showcase on Monday 30 May.
Current Trinity Laban third year musical theatre student Cassius Hackforth is one of 12 finalists who will take to the West End stage at London’s Sondheim Theatre to compete for the coveted prize.
On becoming a finalist, Cassius comments –
“It’s a dream come true to be in the final. I’ve been following the competition for a while now with the judges and previous competitors being a big inspiration for me.
“I’ve worked so hard on my acting through song over the past three years at Trinity Laban and I can’t thank Helen Evans, Tony Castro, Pete Gallagher and Verity Quade enough for helping me reach this moment.”
Cassius will perform ‘Class’ from Sondheim’s first musical Saturday Night for a panel of industry experts including British music journalist and radio presenter Edward Seckerson.
The TL student will also premiere a newly written piece of musical theatre, in partnership with the New UK Musicals organisation.
Affectionately known is SSSSPOTY, the annual contest is a major platform for emerging musical-theatre talent. Previous winners include Rocketman star Taron Egerton and Tony Award-winner Cynthia Erivo.
Cassius is set to play Willard Hewitt in the Trinity Laban Musical Theatre production of Footloose at The Albany (27 & 28 May).