It’s that time of year again – the BBC Proms are now in full swing! This year’s concerts kicked off on Friday and we at the Performing Arts Fund have been reminiscing about last year when around half of our Training in Musical Theatre scheme winners took part in a special celebratory Prom for composer Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday.

Rehearsals at the Royal Albert Hall

The day kicked off at 8:30am with a warm-up and a rehearsal of the whole show with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Stephen Sondheim himself was watching from the auditorium and giving notes throughout. Each of the numbers was meticulously rehearsed and then there was just enough time to make final preparations, get into make-up and costume and head to the wings, ready to perform to a packed house of aficionados and music lovers.

The concert featured a rendition of Our Time by a chorus of Performing Arts Fund singers, among them soloists Joseph Claus, Waylon Jacobs and Emma Odell. Emma recalls the experience of performing alongside the likes of Judi Dench, Simon Russell Beale and Bryn Terfel:

Soloists (from left) Joseph Claus, Emma Odell and Waylon Jacobs

“The show went off with a bang. Daniel Evans and Simon Russell Beale were hilarious with their Invocation and Instructions to the audience from The Frogs. Caroline O’Connor added bucketfuls of pizzazz with Broadway Baby. Other highlights for me were the excerpts from Sunday in the Park with George and, of course, watching Judi Dench perform live. It was all absolutely amazing!

The evening flew by. The Performing Arts Fund chorus warmed up during the interval, and I tried my best to stay calm and focussed, determined not to let nerves get in the way of enjoying such a special night. I arrived at my entrance, had my hair and make-up fixed, and stood watching Everybody Ought to Have a Maid on the monitor, flanked by Caroline O’Connor and Judi Dench. Surreal! The men ran off-stage to tumultuous applause and on I went. It was incredible. So many people in front, above, behind and below the stage, not to mention cameras flying about. I loved every second of it, and could have sung there all day. It was over all too quickly! The finale, Sunday, was heart-stirring stuff, and the show ended on a massive high with Side by Side from Company.”

The company performs Side by Side

This performance – a wonderful experience for all involved – was received positively by the media:



“The biggest surprise, and therefore the biggest joy, was to see three unknown performers who were beneficiaries of the BBC Performing Arts Fund, joined by a chorus who have also benefited from it, in a rendition of that stirring anthem to youthful optimism, Our Time, from Merrily We Roll Along, and making it utterly their own.” (The Stage)



“The real lump in the throat moment came, however, Glee-style with Our Time from Merrily We Roll Along, delivered by soloists and a chorus from the BBC Performing Arts Fund. They brought this touching, optimistic pop song to life with charming simplicity.”

(The Art of the Torch Singer)

An appreciative audience

This year, as every year, the BBC Proms provide a wonderful opportunity for performers and audiences alike to enjoy the best of what classical music has to offer. Many of those who performed in Sondheim’s 80th Birthday Prom have now gone on to success in the West End, and you can read all about their progress on our Winners page.

This year, of course, the Performing Arts Fund is focusing on dance, but next year it’s music again and, who knows? We could even be making a return to the Proms!