Caroline Sheen
Encyclopedia
Caroline Sheen is a Welsh
actress who has played various roles on stage in the West End
and at other venues across London and the UK. She recently played the role of Mary Poppins
on the First National Tour of America. She is currently appearing as Fantine in Les Miserables
alongside Alfie Boe
, Matt Lucas
and Hadley Fraser
.
, Sheen is the cousin of actor Michael Sheen
. She recently married fellow actor Michael Jibson
. A member of the National Youth Theatre of Wales and Gwent Young People's Theatre, she graduated with first class honours from Guildford School of Acting
.
at the Cambridge Theatre
. She went on to play Florinda in Into the Woods
at the Donmar Warehouse
and then went into the original cast of Mamma Mia!
at the Prince Edward Theatre
, understudying the lead role of Sophie. She created the role of Jennifer Gabriel in the world premiere production of The Witches of Eastwick at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Other West End credits include Eponine in Les Misérables
at the Palace Theatre, Sandy in Grease
at the Victoria Palace, and Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
at the London Palladium
.
Work at the National Theatre
includes Philia in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
, Susan Walker in Once in a Lifetime
Sheen originated the role of Carrie in Three Sides at the Finborough theatre and also performed the role when the musical went to New York as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival in 2006. She returned to the Finborough to perform in Adam Guettel's Myths and Hymns
, after making her pantomime debut as Alice Fitzwarren in the Barbican's production of Dick Whittington. Other recent theatre work was in the Minerva theatre in Chichester in If Love Were All. In 2008 Caroline played Mary Poppins
in the UK Tour of the Cameron Mackintosh
/ Disney production. She played the role in Plymouth, Birmingham and Edinburgh, before passing the role onto Lisa O'Hare
In the May of 2009 Caroline created the role of Clara Johnson in the European Premiere of The Light in the Piazza at Curve Theatre in Leicester. Starting in February 2010, Sheen reprised the role as Mary Poppins in the US National Tour of the musical, starring alongside Gavin Lee
and Nichols Dromard as Bert. She played the role until February 2011. For this role she won the Helen Hayes Award
for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Non-Resident Production.
TV work includes episodes of Hotel Babylon
, Doctors and Torchwood
all for the BBC. Caroline also played the part of Elizabeth of York in the Channel 4 TV documentary; Henry VIII, Mind of a Tyrant.
; alongside songs from The Light In The Piazza
, Just So, Grey Gardens
, and Mary Poppins
; with a special album foreword by journalist and theatre critic Mark Shenton.
Track Listing
1. Carrie Makes A Decision by Grant Olding *
2. A Part Of Me by Maltby & Shire
3. Isn't This What Every Woman Wants? by Dempsey & Rowe *
4. Higher by Richard Taylor *
5. Will You? by Frankel & Korie
6. What Did You Want From Love? by Conor Mitchell *
7. I Lay My Armor Down by Stitt & Greenberg
8. Wait A Bit by Stiles & Drewe
9. Mr Hopalong Heartbreak by Jason Robert Brown
10. Miss Hardcastle's Wedding by Goodall & Hart *
11. The Light In The Piazza by Adam Guettel
12. Anything Can Happen by Stiles & Drewe
Bonus Track:
Nothing Is Too Wonderful To Be True by David Yazbek – duet with Michael Jibson
'Raise The Curtain' can be purchased on-line at www.CarolineSheen.com, on iTunes, cdbaby and on Amazon.
Sheen can also be heard on the original cast recordings of Mamma Mia!, The Witches of Eastwick, Rosemary Ashe
's album Serious Cabaret and A Spoonful of Stiles and Drewe.
, Michael Ball
and Friends at the Royal Opera House, An Evening with Jason Robert Brown
, and Georgia Stitt and Friends. Most recently she appeared alongside fellow Mary Poppins actresses Lisa O'Hare
and Scarlett Strallen
in A Spoonful of Stiles and Drewe singing a specially devised version of "Practically Perfect".
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
actress who has played various roles on stage in the West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
and at other venues across London and the UK. She recently played the role of Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins is a series of children's books written by P. L. Travers and originally illustrated by Mary Shepard. The books centre on a magical English nanny, Mary Poppins. She is blown by the East wind to Number Seventeen Cherry Tree Lane, London and into the Banks' household to care for their...
on the First National Tour of America. She is currently appearing as Fantine in Les Miserables
Les Misérables
Les Misérables , translated variously from the French as The Miserable Ones, The Wretched, The Poor Ones, The Wretched Poor, or The Victims), is an 1862 French novel by author Victor Hugo and is widely considered one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century...
alongside Alfie Boe
Alfie Boe
Alfred Giovanni Roncalli Boe, known professionally initially as Alf or Alfred Boe and now as Alfie Boe, , is an English tenor.-Background:...
, Matt Lucas
Matt Lucas
Matthew Richard "Matt" Lucas is an English comedian, screenwriter and actor best known for his acclaimed work with David Walliams in the television show Little Britain; as well as for his portrayals of the scorekeeping baby George Dawes in the comedy panel game Shooting Stars, Tweedledee and...
and Hadley Fraser
Hadley Fraser
Hadley Fraser is an English stage actor. He made his critically acclaimed West End debut as Marius in Les Misérables. He also originated the role of Tiernan in the Broadway show The Pirate Queen.-Biography:...
.
Background
Born and raised in south WalesWales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, Sheen is the cousin of actor Michael Sheen
Michael Sheen
Michael Christopher Sheen, OBE , is a Welsh stage and screen actor. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England and made his professional debut opposite Vanessa Redgrave in When She Danced at the Globe Theatre in 1991...
. She recently married fellow actor Michael Jibson
Michael Jibson
Michael Jibson is an English actor born in 1980, Hull, East Yorkshire, England. He is married to the stage actress Caroline Sheen. His father, Tim Jibson, was the programme director of KCFM in Hull. His brother is the actor Paul Jibson...
. A member of the National Youth Theatre of Wales and Gwent Young People's Theatre, she graduated with first class honours from Guildford School of Acting
Guildford School of Acting
Guildford School of Acting is a drama school located in Guildford, Surrey, England. It is an affiliate of the University of Surrey and is an accredited member of the National Council for Drama Training and The Conference of Drama Schools.-Overview:...
.
Career
Sheen made her West End debut as Marty in GreaseGrease (musical)
Grease is a 1971 musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. The musical is named for the 1950s United States working-class youth subculture known as the greasers. The musical, set in 1959 at fictional Rydell High School , follows ten working-class teenagers as they navigate the complexities of love,...
at the Cambridge Theatre
Cambridge Theatre
The Cambridge Theatre is a West End theatre, on a corner site in Earlham Street facing Seven Dials, in the London Borough of Camden, built in 1929-30. It was designed by Wimperis, Simpson and Guthrie; interior partly by Serge Chermayeff, with interior bronze friezes by sculptor Anthony Gibbons...
. She went on to play Florinda in Into the Woods
Into the Woods
Into the Woods is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. It debuted in San Diego at the Old Globe Theatre in 1986, and premiered on Broadway in 1987. Bernadette Peters' performance as the Witch and Joanna Gleason's portrayal of the Baker's Wife brought acclaim...
at the Donmar Warehouse
Donmar Warehouse
Donmar Warehouse is a small not-for-profit theatre in the Covent Garden area of London, with a capacity of 251.-About:Under the artistic leadership of Michael Grandage, the theatre has presented some of London’s most memorable award-winning theatrical experiences, as well as garnered critical...
and then went into the original cast of Mamma Mia!
Mamma Mia!
Mamma Mia! is a stage musical written by British playwright Catherine Johnson, based on the songs of ABBA, composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, former members of the band. Although the title of the musical is taken from the group's 1975 chart-topper "Mamma Mia", the plot is fictional, not...
at the Prince Edward Theatre
Prince Edward Theatre
The Prince Edward Theatre is a West End theatre situated on Old Compton Street, just north of Leicester Square, in the City of Westminster.The theatre was designed in 1930 by Edward A. Stone, with an interior designed by Marc-Henri Levy and Gaston Laverdet...
, understudying the lead role of Sophie. She created the role of Jennifer Gabriel in the world premiere production of The Witches of Eastwick at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Other West End credits include Eponine in Les Misérables
Les Misérables (musical)
Les Misérables , colloquially known as Les Mis or Les Miz , is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo....
at the Palace Theatre, Sandy in Grease
Grease (musical)
Grease is a 1971 musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. The musical is named for the 1950s United States working-class youth subculture known as the greasers. The musical, set in 1959 at fictional Rydell High School , follows ten working-class teenagers as they navigate the complexities of love,...
at the Victoria Palace, and Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (musical)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, also known as Chitty the Musical, is a stage musical based on the 1968 film produced by Cubby Broccoli. The music and lyrics were written by Richard and Robert Sherman with book by Jeremy Sams.-Productions:...
at the London Palladium
London Palladium
The London Palladium is a 2,286 seat West End theatre located off Oxford Street in the City of Westminster. From the roster of stars who have played there and many televised performances, it is arguably the most famous theatre in London and the United Kingdom, especially for musical variety...
.
Work at the National Theatre
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
includes Philia in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart....
, Susan Walker in Once in a Lifetime
Once in a Lifetime (play)
Once in a Lifetime is a play by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, the first of eight on which they collaborated in the 1930s.-Plot:The satirical comedy focuses on the effect talking pictures have on the entertainment industry...
Sheen originated the role of Carrie in Three Sides at the Finborough theatre and also performed the role when the musical went to New York as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival in 2006. She returned to the Finborough to perform in Adam Guettel's Myths and Hymns
Myths and Hymns
Myths and Hymns is a song cycle by composer Adam Guettel, based on Greek myth and lyrics found in an antique hymnal....
, after making her pantomime debut as Alice Fitzwarren in the Barbican's production of Dick Whittington. Other recent theatre work was in the Minerva theatre in Chichester in If Love Were All. In 2008 Caroline played Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins is a series of children's books written by P. L. Travers and originally illustrated by Mary Shepard. The books centre on a magical English nanny, Mary Poppins. She is blown by the East wind to Number Seventeen Cherry Tree Lane, London and into the Banks' household to care for their...
in the UK Tour of the Cameron Mackintosh
Cameron Mackintosh
Sir Cameron Anthony Mackintosh is a British theatrical producer notable for his association with many commercially successful musicals. At the height of his success in 1990, he was described as being "the most successful, influential and powerful theatrical producer in the world" by the New York...
/ Disney production. She played the role in Plymouth, Birmingham and Edinburgh, before passing the role onto Lisa O'Hare
Lisa O'Hare
Lisa O'Hare began her career as an English stage actress who has played Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and the title character of Mary Poppins on the West End and UK stage...
In the May of 2009 Caroline created the role of Clara Johnson in the European Premiere of The Light in the Piazza at Curve Theatre in Leicester. Starting in February 2010, Sheen reprised the role as Mary Poppins in the US National Tour of the musical, starring alongside Gavin Lee
Gavin Lee
Gavin Lee is an English actor who is currently starring as Bert on Broadway in the musical Mary Poppins. He previously originated the role in the original West End production. He was chosen for the Broadway role because of his critically acclaimed performance as Bert in the West End production...
and Nichols Dromard as Bert. She played the role until February 2011. For this role she won the Helen Hayes Award
Helen Hayes Award
A Helen Hayes Award is a theater award named for the famed actress Helen Hayes to recognize excellence in professional theater in the Washington, D.C. area since 1983. The awards are managed by Linda Levy Grossman. and presented by the Washington Theatre Awards Society.-Awards:The Helen Hayes...
for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Non-Resident Production.
TV work includes episodes of Hotel Babylon
Hotel Babylon
Hotel Babylon was a BBC television drama series based on the book of the same name by Imogen Edwards-Jones, that aired from 19 January 2006 to 14 August 2009, produced by independent production company Carnival Films for BBC One...
, Doctors and Torchwood
Torchwood
Torchwood is a British science fiction television programme created by Russell T Davies. The series is a spin-off from Davies's 2005 revival of the long-running science fiction programme Doctor Who. The show has shifted its broadcast channel each series to reflect its growing audience, moving from...
all for the BBC. Caroline also played the part of Elizabeth of York in the Channel 4 TV documentary; Henry VIII, Mind of a Tyrant.
Recordings
In February 2010 Caroline released her Debut Album "RAISE THE CURTAIN", a compelling selection of songs by leading contemporary musical theatre writers from Britain and America; featuring 5 previously unrecorded songs, including a cut song from The Witches Of EastwickThe Witches of Eastwick
The Witches of Eastwick is a 1984 novel by John Updike.-Plot summary:The story, set in the fictional Rhode Island town of Eastwick in the late 1960s, follows the witches Alexandra Spofford, Jane Smart, and Sukie Rougemont, who acquired their powers after leaving or being left by their husbands....
; alongside songs from The Light In The Piazza
The Light in the Piazza
The Light in the Piazza is a musical with a book by Craig Lucas and music and lyrics by Adam Guettel. Based on a novella by Elizabeth Spencer, it is set in Florence and Rome in the summer of 1953. A young American tourist, Clara Johnson, meets and falls for young Italian Fabrizio Naccarelli...
, Just So, Grey Gardens
Grey Gardens
Grey Gardens is a 1975 documentary film by Albert and David Maysles, with Susan Froemke, Ellen Hovde, and Muffie Meyer. The film depicts the everyday lives of two reclusive socialites, a mother and daughter both named Edith Beale, who lived at Grey Gardens, a decrepit mansion at 3 West End Road in...
, and Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins is a series of children's books written by P. L. Travers and originally illustrated by Mary Shepard. The books centre on a magical English nanny, Mary Poppins. She is blown by the East wind to Number Seventeen Cherry Tree Lane, London and into the Banks' household to care for their...
; with a special album foreword by journalist and theatre critic Mark Shenton.
Track Listing
1. Carrie Makes A Decision by Grant Olding *
2. A Part Of Me by Maltby & Shire
3. Isn't This What Every Woman Wants? by Dempsey & Rowe *
4. Higher by Richard Taylor *
5. Will You? by Frankel & Korie
6. What Did You Want From Love? by Conor Mitchell *
7. I Lay My Armor Down by Stitt & Greenberg
8. Wait A Bit by Stiles & Drewe
9. Mr Hopalong Heartbreak by Jason Robert Brown
10. Miss Hardcastle's Wedding by Goodall & Hart *
11. The Light In The Piazza by Adam Guettel
12. Anything Can Happen by Stiles & Drewe
Bonus Track:
Nothing Is Too Wonderful To Be True by David Yazbek – duet with Michael Jibson
- Previously unrecorded
'Raise The Curtain' can be purchased on-line at www.CarolineSheen.com, on iTunes, cdbaby and on Amazon.
Sheen can also be heard on the original cast recordings of Mamma Mia!, The Witches of Eastwick, Rosemary Ashe
Rosemary Ashe
Rosemary Ashe is an English stage actress and classically trained opera singer. She studied at the Royal Academy of Music and the London Opera Centre....
's album Serious Cabaret and A Spoonful of Stiles and Drewe.
Other performances
Sheen was a guest soloist in the opening ceremony of the Wales Millenium Centre. Other solo concert work includes Night of a Thousand Voices at the Royal Albert HallRoyal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
, Michael Ball
Michael Ball (singer)
Michael Ashley Ball, born 27 June 1962) is a British actor, singer, and radio and TV presenter who is best known for the song "Love Changes Everything" and musical theatre roles such as Marius in Les Misérables, Alex in Aspects of Love, Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Edna Turnblad...
and Friends at the Royal Opera House, An Evening with Jason Robert Brown
Jason Robert Brown
Jason Robert Brown is an American musical theater composer, lyricist, and playwright. Brown's music sensibility fuses pop-rock stylings with theatrical lyrics...
, and Georgia Stitt and Friends. Most recently she appeared alongside fellow Mary Poppins actresses Lisa O'Hare
Lisa O'Hare
Lisa O'Hare began her career as an English stage actress who has played Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and the title character of Mary Poppins on the West End and UK stage...
and Scarlett Strallen
Scarlett Strallen
Scarlett Strallen is a British stage actress who made her Broadway debut on 9 October 2008 at the New Amsterdam Theatre playing the title role of Mary Poppins...
in A Spoonful of Stiles and Drewe singing a specially devised version of "Practically Perfect".