Dianne Pilkington
Encyclopedia
Dianne Lesley Pilkington (born 7 June 1975) is an English theatre actress and singer.
. She trained at the Guildford School of Acting
, graduating in 1997 with the Principal's Award.
Pilkington married her longtime partner, Jean-Claude Pelletier, on 10 October 2010. The couple met whilst touring with the UK production of Cats in 2006.
, Pilkington understudied the role of Fantine whilst in the production.
Following Les Misérables, Pilkington starred in the production of Tess, going on tour with the show prior to it appearing at the Savoy, she played the role of Marion. The production only ran for 10 weeks in the West End before closing on 8 January 2000.
Pilkington joined the cast of Sweeney Todd
at the Bridewell Theatre later in 2000, a production she had played the role of Mrs Lovett in whilst training at GSA.
In late 2000 Pilkington was part of the Original London Cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s, The Beautiful Game
. She played the role of the Protestant girl as well as understudying the role of Bernadette.
In 2002 Pilkington originated the role of Kim in Boy George’s musical Taboo
. She appeared alongside Boy George at the Royal Albert Hall alongside other members of the original London cast.
It was in late 2002 that Pilkington joined the UK touring production of Beauty and the Beast
playing Belle. She remained with the production into 2003.
Again in 2003 Pilkington originated another role in the West End, this time in Rod Stewart musical Tonight’s the Night, as Mary at the Victoria Palace Theatre
.
For the Christmas panto season of 2004-2005 Pilkington starred in the leading role in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs opposite Lily Savage.
In 2005 Pilkington starred in The Far Pavilions
in the role of Belinda. Following this Pilkington again went on tour in the role of Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s, Cats
. It was whilst on tour with the production that Pilkington met her husband.
After leaving the Cats tour in early 2007, Pilkington joined the West End production of Wicked
at the Apollo Victoria Theatre
. She replaced Helen Dallimore
as Glinda on 16 July 2007, after serving as the standby from April of that year. After three years in the company, she played her final performance on 27 March 2010 and was succeeded by Louise Dearman
.
Immediately after leaving Wicked, Pilkington joined played the parts of Annabella Schmidt, Pamela, and Margaret in the West End
production of The 39 Steps
. She replaced Natalie Walter
on 26 April 2010. She ended her nine month run on 29 January 2011 and was succeeded by Laura Rogers
.
After leaving The 39 Steps Pilkington took part in the 2011 season of Cabaret in the House at Lauderdale House on February 20, 2011, performing many tracks from her album in a one woman cabaret, her guests at the cabaret included Jean-Claude Pelletier, Shimi Goodman & Nicole Faraday, she was accompanied on piano by Christopher Hamilton.
In the Chichester Festival 2011 Pilkington played the role of Amalia in She Loves Me
, from 9 May 2011 until 18 June 2011.
Pilkington has undertaken many musical workshops including: ‘Hope’ in the London workshop production of Urinetown, directed by John Rando; ‘Tonya’ in the workshop of Dr Zhivago directed by Des McAnuff; the title role in Helen of Troy - a new musical, directed by Gary Griffin; ‘Charlotte’ in Charlotte — Life or Theatre?; 'Meg' in the workshop of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical Love Never Dies
, but her scene had been cut from the final version of the film. However, the scene was included in the DVD version of the film.
, which aired 31 December 2008. Pilkington came in a respectable 4th place. She also appeared on Britain's Got Talent
giving a brief tour of Wicked, on This Morning
performing Popular with Alexia Khadime
and on The Alan Titchmarsh Show discussing reality TV shows such as Over The Rainbow
.
. She and Alexia Khadime
won the "Art and Culture Woman of the Future" category at the 2009 Women of the Future Awards. Pilkington also won the Broadwayworld.com UK Award for Best Lead Actress in a Play for The 39 Steps.
(*) Previously Unrecorded
All songs performed by Dianne Pilkington and Accompanied on the Piano by Chris Hamilton.
Life
Pilkington was born in WiganWigan
Wigan is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It stands on the River Douglas, south-west of Bolton, north of Warrington and west-northwest of Manchester. Wigan is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and is its administrative centre. The town of Wigan had a total...
. She trained at the 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:...
, graduating in 1997 with the Principal's Award.
Pilkington married her longtime partner, Jean-Claude Pelletier, on 10 October 2010. The couple met whilst touring with the UK production of Cats in 2006.
Theatre
Pilkington began her professional career in 1997 when she joined the West End Company of MisérablesLes 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....
, Pilkington understudied the role of Fantine whilst in the production.
Following Les Misérables, Pilkington starred in the production of Tess, going on tour with the show prior to it appearing at the Savoy, she played the role of Marion. The production only ran for 10 weeks in the West End before closing on 8 January 2000.
Pilkington joined the cast of Sweeney Todd
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a 1936 British film produced and directed by George King.-Plot:The film features Tod Slaughter in one of his most famous roles as barber Sweeney Todd. Sweeney Todd was wrongly sentenced to life in prison. After his release 15 years later, he begins...
at the Bridewell Theatre later in 2000, a production she had played the role of Mrs Lovett in whilst training at GSA.
In late 2000 Pilkington was part of the Original London Cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s, The Beautiful Game
The Beautiful Game
The phrase "The Beautiful Game" is a synonym for Association Football. The origin or individual who coined the phrase is unknown and it is difficult to verify. Football commentator Stuart Hall is the only individual to have claimed to have created "The Beautiful Game"...
. She played the role of the Protestant girl as well as understudying the role of Bernadette.
In 2002 Pilkington originated the role of Kim in Boy George’s musical Taboo
Taboo (musical)
Taboo is a stage musical with a book by Mark Davies , lyrics by Boy George, and music by George and Kevan Frost....
. She appeared alongside Boy George at the Royal Albert Hall alongside other members of the original London cast.
It was in late 2002 that Pilkington joined the UK touring production of Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast (musical)
Beauty and the Beast is a musical with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice and a book by Linda Woolverton, based on the 1991 Disney film of the same name. Seven new songs were written for the stage musical...
playing Belle. She remained with the production into 2003.
Again in 2003 Pilkington originated another role in the West End, this time in Rod Stewart musical Tonight’s the Night, as Mary at the Victoria Palace Theatre
Victoria Palace Theatre
Victoria Palace Theatre is a West End theatre in Victoria Street, in the City of Westminster, opposite Victoria Station.-Origins:The theatre began life as a small concert room above the stables of the Royal Standard Hotel, a small hotel and tavern built in 1832 at what was then 522 Stockbridge...
.
For the Christmas panto season of 2004-2005 Pilkington starred in the leading role in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs opposite Lily Savage.
In 2005 Pilkington starred in The Far Pavilions
The Far Pavilions
The Far Pavilions is an epic novel of British-Indian history by M. M. Kaye, first published in 1978, which tells the story of an English officer during the Great Game. The novel, rooted deeply in the romantic epics of the 19th century, has been hailed as a masterpiece of storytelling...
in the role of Belinda. Following this Pilkington again went on tour in the role of Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s, Cats
Cats (musical)
Cats is a musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot...
. It was whilst on tour with the production that Pilkington met her husband.
After leaving the Cats tour in early 2007, Pilkington joined the West End production of Wicked
Wicked (musical)
Wicked is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It is based on the Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West , a parallel novel of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard...
at the Apollo Victoria Theatre
Apollo Victoria Theatre
The Apollo Victoria Theatre is a West End theatre, located on Wilton Road near Victoria station in the City of Westminster. Opened as a cinema and variety theatre, the Apollo Victoria became a venue for musical theatre, beginning with The Sound of Music in 1981, and including the long-running...
. She replaced Helen Dallimore
Helen Dallimore
Helen Dallimore is an Australian actress, known for originating the role of Glinda in the West End production of Wicked.-Background:...
as Glinda on 16 July 2007, after serving as the standby from April of that year. After three years in the company, she played her final performance on 27 March 2010 and was succeeded by Louise Dearman
Louise Dearman
Louise Dearman is a British musical theatre performer, currently playing the role of Glinda in the West End production of Wicked. She has a number of other professional stage and television credits, such as Eva Perón in Evita, and released her debut solo album, You and I, in 2005.-Early...
.
Immediately after leaving Wicked, Pilkington joined played the parts of Annabella Schmidt, Pamela, and Margaret 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...
production of The 39 Steps
The 39 Steps (play)
The 39 Steps is a farce adapted from the 1915 novel by John Buchan and the 1935 film by Alfred Hitchcock. Patrick Barlow wrote the adaptation, based on the original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon of a two-actor version of the play...
. She replaced Natalie Walter
Natalie Walter
Natalie Walter is a British actress who is best known for her film, theatre and television roles. She was born in Woking, Surrey in 1974. Her father is David Walter, the former BBC and ITN journalist. She studied at London's prestigious Drama Centre, where one of her classmates was the comedian...
on 26 April 2010. She ended her nine month run on 29 January 2011 and was succeeded by Laura Rogers
Laura Rogers
Laura Rogers is a British actress.-Biography:As a youngster Rogers was a member of the West Glamorgan Youth Theatre Company and Upland Arts, the Swansea Gilbert and Sullivan society...
.
After leaving The 39 Steps Pilkington took part in the 2011 season of Cabaret in the House at Lauderdale House on February 20, 2011, performing many tracks from her album in a one woman cabaret, her guests at the cabaret included Jean-Claude Pelletier, Shimi Goodman & Nicole Faraday, she was accompanied on piano by Christopher Hamilton.
In the Chichester Festival 2011 Pilkington played the role of Amalia in She Loves Me
She Loves Me
She Loves Me is a musical with a book by Joe Masteroff, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and music by Jerry Bock.The musical is the fifth adaptation of the play Parfumerie by Hungarian playwright Miklos Laszlo, following the 1940 James Stewart-Margaret Sullavan film The Shop around the Corner and the...
, from 9 May 2011 until 18 June 2011.
Pilkington has undertaken many musical workshops including: ‘Hope’ in the London workshop production of Urinetown, directed by John Rando; ‘Tonya’ in the workshop of Dr Zhivago directed by Des McAnuff; the title role in Helen of Troy - a new musical, directed by Gary Griffin; ‘Charlotte’ in Charlotte — Life or Theatre?; 'Meg' in the workshop of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical Love Never Dies
Film
Pilkington was due to play the role of a Blind Opera Singer in 2010's The Wolfman, opposite Benicio del ToroBenicio del Toro
Benicio Monserrate Rafael del Toro Sánchez is a Puerto Rican and Spanish actor and film producer. He won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a BAFTA Award for his role as Javier Rodríguez in Traffic . He is also known for his roles as Fred Fenster in The Usual...
, but her scene had been cut from the final version of the film. However, the scene was included in the DVD version of the film.
Television
Pilkington’s television credits include appearing on the West End edition of The Weakest LinkThe Weakest Link
The Weakest Link is a television game show which first appeared in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 14 August 2000 and will end its run in 2012 when its host Anne Robinson ends her contract. The original British version of the show airs around the world on BBC Entertainment...
, which aired 31 December 2008. Pilkington came in a respectable 4th place. She also appeared on Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent is a British television talent show competition which started in June 2007 and originated from the Got Talent series. The show is produced by FremantleMedia's TalkbackThames and Simon Cowell's production company SYCOtv. The show is broadcast on ITV in Britain and TV3 in Ireland...
giving a brief tour of Wicked, on This Morning
This Morning (TV series)
This Morning is a British daytime television programme broadcast on ITV. As of September 2011, its main presenters are Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, and Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, with various other presenters standing in for illness or contributing to sections of the programme.The...
performing Popular with Alexia Khadime
Alexia Khadime
Alexia Khadime is an English actress and mezzo-soprano, known for her roles in British musical theatre and television. Alexia's break came in 2004 when she was cast as Nala in the British rendition of the musical The Lion King at Lyceum Theatre, London...
and on The Alan Titchmarsh Show discussing reality TV shows such as Over The Rainbow
Over the Rainbow (2010 TV series)
Over the Rainbow is a British television talent series which aired on BBC One from March to May 2010. It documents the search for a new, undiscovered musical theatre performer to play the role of Dorothy in the forthcoming Andrew Lloyd Webber stage production of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and a...
.
Awards
Pilkington was nominated in the "Best Takeover Role" category for her role in Wicked at the 2008 Theatregoer's Choice Awards, but lost to co-star Kerry EllisKerry Ellis
Kerry Jane Ellis is an English stage actress and singer who is best known for her work in musical theatre and subsequent crossover into music...
. She and Alexia Khadime
Alexia Khadime
Alexia Khadime is an English actress and mezzo-soprano, known for her roles in British musical theatre and television. Alexia's break came in 2004 when she was cast as Nala in the British rendition of the musical The Lion King at Lyceum Theatre, London...
won the "Art and Culture Woman of the Future" category at the 2009 Women of the Future Awards. Pilkington also won the Broadwayworld.com UK Award for Best Lead Actress in a Play for The 39 Steps.
Theatre credits
| Year | Show | Venue | Role(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997–1998 | 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.... |
Palace Theatre Palace Theatre, London The Palace Theatre is a West End theatre in the City of Westminster in London. It is an imposing red-brick building that dominates the west side of Cambridge Circus and is located near the intersection of Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road... |
Ensemble | Also understudied the roles of 'Fantine' and 'Cosette' |
| 1999 | Tess | Savoy Theatre Savoy Theatre The Savoy Theatre is a West End theatre located in the Strand in the City of Westminster, London, England. The theatre opened on 10 October 1881 and was built by Richard D'Oyly Carte on the site of the old Savoy Palace as a showcase for the popular series of comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan,... |
Marion Dewy | 30 October 1999 - 8 January 2000 Dianne toured with the production prior to its West End appearance. |
| 2000 | Sweeney Todd | Bridewell Theatre | Beggar Woman | |
| 2000–2001 | The Beautiful Game The Beautiful Game (musical) The Beautiful Game is a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton about a group of teenagers growing up amid religious intolerance in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1969.... |
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... |
Protestant Girl | 26 September 2000 - 1 September 2001 |
| 2002 | Taboo Taboo (musical) Taboo is a stage musical with a book by Mark Davies , lyrics by Boy George, and music by George and Kevan Frost.... |
The Venue Leicester Square | Kim | |
| 2002–2003 | Beauty and the Beast Beauty and the Beast (musical) Beauty and the Beast is a musical with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice and a book by Linda Woolverton, based on the 1991 Disney film of the same name. Seven new songs were written for the stage musical... |
UK Tour | Belle | |
| 2003–2004 | Tonight’s the Night Tonight's The Night (2003 musical) Tonight's the Night is a "compilation musical" by comedian Ben Elton, based on the music of Rod Stewart. It opened in October 2003 at the Victoria Palace Theatre, and ran for just over a year... |
Victoria Palace Theatre Victoria Palace Theatre Victoria Palace Theatre is a West End theatre in Victoria Street, in the City of Westminster, opposite Victoria Station.-Origins:The theatre began life as a small concert room above the stables of the Royal Standard Hotel, a small hotel and tavern built in 1832 at what was then 522 Stockbridge... |
Mary | |
| 2004–2005 | Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | Victoria Palace Theatre | Snow White | |
| 2005 | The Far Pavilions The Far Pavilions The Far Pavilions is an epic novel of British-Indian history by M. M. Kaye, first published in 1978, which tells the story of an English officer during the Great Game. The novel, rooted deeply in the romantic epics of the 19th century, has been hailed as a masterpiece of storytelling... |
Shaftesbury Theatre Shaftesbury Theatre The Shaftesbury Theatre is a West End Theatre, located on Shaftesbury Avenue, in the London Borough of Camden.-History:The theatre was designed for the brothers Walter and Frederick Melville by Bertie Crewe and opened on 26 December 1911 with a production of The Three Musketeers, as the New... |
Belinda | 24 March 2005 - 17 September 2005 |
| 2006–2007 | Cats Cats (musical) Cats is a musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot... |
UK Tour | Grizabella Grizabella Grizabella is the "Glamour Cat" in the musical production Cats. She does not appear in T. S. Eliot's work Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, but she is a prominent character in the stageplay. It appears that she is the feline version of the woman mentioned in T.S... |
|
| 2007–2010 | Wicked Wicked (musical) Wicked is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It is based on the Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West , a parallel novel of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard... |
Apollo Victoria Theatre Apollo Victoria Theatre The Apollo Victoria Theatre is a West End theatre, located on Wilton Road near Victoria station in the City of Westminster. Opened as a cinema and variety theatre, the Apollo Victoria became a venue for musical theatre, beginning with The Sound of Music in 1981, and including the long-running... |
Glinda Glinda Glinda is a fictional character in the Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum. She is the most powerful sorceress of Oz, ruler of the Quadling Country south of the Emerald City, and protector of Princess Ozma.- Literature :Baum's 1900 children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz... |
16 July 2007 - 27 March 2010. Replaced Helen Dallimore after briefly serving as her standby in 2007. |
| 2010–2011 | The 39 Steps The 39 Steps (play) The 39 Steps is a farce adapted from the 1915 novel by John Buchan and the 1935 film by Alfred Hitchcock. Patrick Barlow wrote the adaptation, based on the original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon of a two-actor version of the play... |
Criterion Theatre Criterion Theatre The Criterion Theatre is a West End theatre situated on Piccadilly Circus in the City of Westminster, and is a Grade II* listed building. It has an official capacity of 588.-Building the theatre:... |
Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret | 26 April 2010 – 29 January 2011 |
| 2011 | She Loves Me She Loves Me She Loves Me is a musical with a book by Joe Masteroff, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and music by Jerry Bock.The musical is the fifth adaptation of the play Parfumerie by Hungarian playwright Miklos Laszlo, following the 1940 James Stewart-Margaret Sullavan film The Shop around the Corner and the... |
Chichester Festival Theatre Chichester Festival Theatre Chichester Festival Theatre, located in Chichester, England, was designed by Philip Powell and Hidalgo Moya, and opened by its founder Leslie Evershed-Martin in 1962. Subsequently the smaller and more intimate Minerva Theatre was built nearby in 1989.... |
Amalia | 9 May 2011 - 18 June 2011 |
Discography
| Year | Song(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 2002 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2002.-Events:*February 3 – U2 perform during the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXVI... |
"Love Is A Question Mark", "Pretty Lies", "Independent Woman" | Taboo Taboo (musical) Taboo is a stage musical with a book by Mark Davies , lyrics by Boy George, and music by George and Kevan Frost.... |
| 2003 2003 in music -January:* January – following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It Be sessions. Five people are arrested... |
"Reason To Believe" | Tonight’s The Night |
| 2007 2007 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame... |
"God's Own Country" | The Beautiful Game The Beautiful Game (musical) The Beautiful Game is a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton about a group of teenagers growing up amid religious intolerance in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1969.... |
| 2008 2008 in music 2008 was a huge year in music history with the emergence of pop superstars Lady Gaga and Katy Perry into the mainstream. Also, this is the year that is widely agreed upon by critics as the start of the fall of hip hop from the mainstream and the rise of Synthpop into the mainstream due to acts such... |
"I Only Wish For You" | "Act One — Songs From the Musicals of Alexander S. Bermange Alexander S. Bermange Alexander S. Bermange is an English musical theatre composer and lyricist. He has often served as musical director and pianist for his own productions. He is also a regular broadcaster on UK radio.-Career:... " |
| 2010 2010 in music 2010 in music may refer to:*2010 in American music*2010 in Australian music*2010 in British music*2010 in Canadian music*2010 in European music *2010 in Irish music*2010 in Japanese music*2010 in New Zealand music... |
"Stuck On You" | "Bush Tales" by Matthew R Jameson |
| 2010 2010 in music 2010 in music may refer to:*2010 in American music*2010 in Australian music*2010 in British music*2010 in Canadian music*2010 in European music *2010 in Irish music*2010 in Japanese music*2010 in New Zealand music... |
see details below | Little Stories |
| 2011 | "Trusting You" | with Shimi Goodman on his debut album "When You Hear My Voice" |
Album
Dianne's début solo album, entitled 'Little Stories', was released in December 2010.(*) Previously Unrecorded
All songs performed by Dianne Pilkington and Accompanied on the Piano by Chris Hamilton.