Lauren Drew

Lauren Drew
Drew performing Six in 2022
Born (1993-02-17) 17 February 1993 (age 31)
Port Talbot, Wales
OccupationMountview Academy of Theatre Arts
Years active2016–present

Lauren Drew (born 17 February 1993) is a Welsh actress and singer. Known for her work in musical theatre, she won a WhatsOnStage Award.

Early life

Drew was born in Port Talbot. She pursued a BTEC National Diploma in Musical Theatre at Neath Port Talbot College[1] before going on to study at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, graduating in 2016. That year, Drew was a finalist in the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year competition alongside Courtney Bowman.[2]

Career

Upon graduating from Mountview in 2016, Drew made her professional stage debut in the ensemble of the UK tour of Ghost. This was followed by her West End debut the next year in Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre, and a role in Heathers at The Other Palace in 2018.

Drew played Suzanne in Sweet Charity at the Donmar Warehouse and was the understudy for Eva Peron in Evita at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in 2019. Drew portrayed Catherine of Aragon on the 2019 UK tour of Six. She would later reprise her role on the 2021 tour of the production as well.[3][4]

Also in 2021, Drew competed in the tenth series of The Voice UK, auditioning with Jessie J's "Mama Knows Best" to four yeses.[5] She was initially in Anne-Marie's team before being "stolen" by will.i.am. Drew was eliminated in the semi-finals.[6]

Drew returned to Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in 2022 when she played Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde.[7] For her performance, Drew was awarded the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Supporting Performer in a Musical.[8] She also played Fantine on the UK tour of Les Misérables.[9] The following year, Drew originated the titular character of the new musical Lizzie, which ran at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester,[10] Southwark Playhouse in London,[11] and had a tour.

Stage

Year Title Role Notes
2016 Ghost Ensemble / Molly (understudy) UK tour
2017 Kinky Boots Ensemble / Nicola (understudy) Adelphi Theatre, London
2018 Heathers New Wave Girl / Heather Chandler (understudy) / Dance Captain The Other Palace, London
2019 Sweet Charity Suzanne Donmar Warehouse, London
2019 Evita Ensemble / Eva (understudy) Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London
2019, 2021 Six Catherine of Aragon UK tour
2022 Legally Blonde Brooke Wyndham Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London
2022 Les Misérables Fantine UK tour
2023 Lizzie Lizzie Borden Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester / UK tour / Southwark Playhouse, London
2024 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Jolene Oaks Concert, London Palladium
2024 Titanique Céline Dion Criterion Theatre, London

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2023 WhatsOnStage Awards Best Supporting Performer in a Musical Legally Blonde Won [12]
2023 BWW UK Awards Best Leading Performer in a New Production of a Musical Lizzie Won

References

  1. ^ "NPTC Group Of College's Star Lauren Drew Has The Voice". FE News. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Sondheim Society competition 2016". The Stephen Sondheim Society. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  3. ^ Bulbul, Nuray (26 April 2021). "Six confirms casting for UK tour". The Stage. Retrieved 21 December 2023.(subscription required)
  4. ^ "Lauren Drew - Cast & Creatives". Six the Musical. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  5. ^ Sulway, Verity (2 January 2021). "The Voice UK star Lauren Drew hailed as 'best in years' as fans predict she will win". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  6. ^ Shenton, Mark (26 March 2021). "ShenTens: My Favourite Rising Stars of West End musicals". Shenton Stage. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  7. ^ "Our Heritage: Lauren Drew". Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  8. ^ Khomami, Nadia (12 February 2023). "Women dominate gender-neutral categories at WhatsOnStage awards". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  9. ^ Wild, Stephi (30 August 2022). "Siobhan O'Driscoll and Lauren Drew Will Join the UK Tour of LES MISERABLES". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  10. ^ Meads, Glenn (13 September 2023). "Here's how actor Lauren Drew is lighting up Hope Mill Theatre with Lizzie – The Musical". I Love Manchester. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  11. ^ Vale, Paul (2 November 2023). "Lizzie review at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, London starring Lauren Drew". The Stage. Retrieved 21 December 2023.(subscription required)
  12. ^ Wood, Alex (8 December 2022). "Nominations in full: the 23rd Annual WhatsOnStage Awards". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 9 January 2023.