Susan McFadden
Encyclopedia
Susan McFadden is an actress and singer born in Dublin, Ireland
. She is known for playing the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde the Musical
in London at the Savoy theatre
.
, a singer/songwriter and former member of boy band Westlife
. Her parents are Brendan and Mairead.
, McFadden toured with many Irish entertainers (including June Rodgers) in supporting roles. She was one of the dancers in Daniel O'Donnell's Rock & Roll Show tour and DVD. McFadden was a 'wildcard' contestant on the RTÉ
talent show You're a Star
. She also played the role of Kathy in an Irish production of Singing in the Rain
in 2004 to much acclaim. The show played at the Olympia Theatre
in Dublin and the Everyman Palace Theatre
in Cork
.
McFadden is the winning contestant on the ITV
reality TV show Grease Is the Word
. As a result she played the lead female role of Sandy in the West End
production of Grease
with Danny Bayne beginning in August 2007.
In 2008, McFadden recorded two songs for the CD Act One - Songs From The Musicals Of Alexander S. Bermange
, an album of 20 brand new recordings by 26 West End stars, released in November 2008 on Dress Circle Records.
McFadden recently played the lead role of Milly in the stage adaption of Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, with Steven Houghton.
McFadden starred in the musical Legally Blonde
at the Savoy Theatre
in London's West End playing Elle Woods after originating the role of Serena. Official reviews and audience reaction has been extremely positive. Beginning on October 25, McFadden became the alternate Elle, performing Mondays and Tuesdays. McFadden began playing the role of Elle Woods full time beginning January 10, 2011 and left the role on July 9, 2011. She was subsequently replaced by former Margot and understudy Elle, Carley Stenson
.
McFadden sang with Ben Morris and Séan Carey in the final of RTÉ One
's Fame: The Musical
in Dublin on Sunday 13 June 2010.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. She is known for playing the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde the Musical
Legally Blonde (musical)
Legally Blonde is a musical with music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin and book by Heather Hach. The story is based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. It tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to...
in London at the 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,...
.
Biography
McFadden's brother is Brian McFaddenBrian McFadden
Brian Nicholas McFadden , is an Irish singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of the Irish boyband Westlife...
, a singer/songwriter and former member of boy band Westlife
Westlife
Westlife are an Irish boy band established on 3 July 1998. They are to disband in 2012. The group's line-up was Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden . The group are the only act in British and Irish history to have their first seven singles peak at number one...
. Her parents are Brendan and Mairead.
Career
McFadden, along with her brother Brian, is a graduate of the Billie Barry Stage School, located in Dublin. Before appearing on Grease is the WordGrease Is the Word
Grease Is the Word was the UK version of NBCs Grease: You're the One that I Want!. It aired during Spring/Summer 2007, and was produced by Syco TV ....
, McFadden toured with many Irish entertainers (including June Rodgers) in supporting roles. She was one of the dancers in Daniel O'Donnell's Rock & Roll Show tour and DVD. McFadden was a 'wildcard' contestant on the RTÉ
RTE
RTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey...
talent show You're a Star
You're A Star
You're a Star was a singing contest in Ireland,similar to th X Factor in the United Kingdom and American Idol in the USA created by Screentime ShinAwiL and Radio Telefís Éireann. It was shown weekly on RTÉ One over the winter months of each year...
. She also played the role of Kathy in an Irish production of Singing in the Rain
Singin' in the Rain (musical)
Singin' in the Rain is a musical with a book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, lyrics by Arthur Freed, and music by Nacio Herb Brown.Adapted from the 1952 movie of the same name, the plot closely adheres to the original...
in 2004 to much acclaim. The show played at the Olympia Theatre
Olympia Theatre, Dublin
The Olympia Theatre is a concert hall/theatre venue in Dublin, Ireland, located in Dame Street.-History:Built in 1879, it was originally called the "Star of Erin Music Hall". Two years later in 1881, it was renamed "Dan Lowrey's Music Hall" and was renamed again in 1889 to "Dan Lowrey's Palace of...
in Dublin and the Everyman Palace Theatre
Everyman Palace Theatre
The Everyman Palace Theatre is a 650-seat Victorian theatre on MacCurtain Street in Cork, Ireland. Originally opened in 1897/98, it is the oldest purpose built theatre building in Cork...
in Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
.
McFadden is the winning contestant on the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
reality TV show Grease Is the Word
Grease Is the Word
Grease Is the Word was the UK version of NBCs Grease: You're the One that I Want!. It aired during Spring/Summer 2007, and was produced by Syco TV ....
. As a result she played the lead female role of Sandy 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 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,...
with Danny Bayne beginning in August 2007.
In 2008, McFadden recorded two songs for the CD 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:...
, an album of 20 brand new recordings by 26 West End stars, released in November 2008 on Dress Circle Records.
McFadden recently played the lead role of Milly in the stage adaption of Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, with Steven Houghton.
McFadden starred in the musical Legally Blonde
Legally Blonde (musical)
Legally Blonde is a musical with music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin and book by Heather Hach. The story is based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. It tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to...
at the 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,...
in London's West End playing Elle Woods after originating the role of Serena. Official reviews and audience reaction has been extremely positive. Beginning on October 25, McFadden became the alternate Elle, performing Mondays and Tuesdays. McFadden began playing the role of Elle Woods full time beginning January 10, 2011 and left the role on July 9, 2011. She was subsequently replaced by former Margot and understudy Elle, Carley Stenson
Carley Stenson
Carley Anne Stenson is an English actress and singer, best known for playing Steph Cunningham in the Channel 4 series Hollyoaks. She also appeared as a performer in Abbamania, and is a member of the all-female band Diamond...
.
McFadden sang with Ben Morris and Séan Carey in the final of RTÉ One
RTÉ One
RTÉ One is the flagship television channel of Raidió Teilifís Éireann , and it is the most popular and most watched television channel in Ireland. It was launched as Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961, it was renamed RTÉ Television in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ One upon the launch of RTÉ...
's Fame: The Musical
Fame: The Musical
Fame: The Musical is a singing and dance contest in Ireland, produced by Screentime ShinAwiL for RTÉ. The audition and Fame Bootcamp stages were filmed around Ireland and in London....
in Dublin on Sunday 13 June 2010.