The Stiles + Drewe Prize is a scheme for the development and showcasing of British Musical Theatre Writers.
In 1985, Stiles + Drewe were the recipients of the inaugural Vivian Ellis Prize for Just So. Winning the prize introduced them to many leading lights of the musical theatre world, whose advice and support in championing new writing became so important to them.
Since 2008, Stiles + Drewe have recognised new musical theatre writing via their annual prize for ‘Best New Song’. This is for members of Mercury Musical Developments (MMD), of which George and Anthony are founding members. MMD is the UK’s only membership organisation dedicated to new musical theatre writing.
From 2016, the broadening of the Stiles + Drewe Prize to include the ‘Mentorship Award’ has offered the musical theatre writing community greater financial and in-kind support for their development journey.
Generously supported by Musical Theatre International (Europe), the Mentorship Award provides bespoke mentorship support and showcasing opportunities to one writer or writing team over a 12 month period. This opportunity is offered biennially.
Final showcase of current recipient Echolocation will take place in June ’26. Get in touch to find out more.
The Best New Song Prize is awarded on an annual basis recognising an outstanding song from a new musical written by a member of Mercury Musical Developments.
Applications are now closed. The annual concert is due to take place in Autumn ’26.
The Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize has been offered to MMD members since 2008. Every year, twelve finalists are selected to have their songs showcased in a live concert in London, performed by West End talent. A panel of industry judges, including George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, award the Best New Song Prize and the winner receives a prize of £1,000 to put towards developing their work.
Previous gala hosts have included Rob Madge, Maria Friedman, Clive Rowe, Sally Ann Triplett, Rosemary Ashe, Hannah Waddingham, Haydn Gwynne, Claire Moore, Jenna Russell, David Bedella and Michael Xavier.
The MTI Stiles + Drewe Mentorship Award was launched in 2016. Generously supported by Musical Theatre International (Europe), the Mentorship Award is presented biennially to a writer or writing team who have submitted the first full draft of a new musical. Stiles + Drewe, along with a panel of judges, select the winning project – the writers of which then benefit from bespoke mentorship and support over a 12-month period.
The recipient of the MTI Stiles + Drewe Mentorship Award receives;
