Leanne Rowe Explained

Leanne Rowe
Birth Place:Brentwood, Essex, England
Occupation:Actress
Yearsactive:1996 - present

Leanne Rowe (born 1982) is an English actress and singer, known for portraying Nancy in Oliver Twist, May Moss in Lilies and Baby in Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage.

Background

Rowe is from Brentwood, Essex.[1] She has two older sisters and a brother.[2]

Rowe left school at the age of 16 to train as a dancer,[2] attending Laine Theatre Arts.[3] She graduated at the age of 19 with honours in musical theatre.[2] [3] Rowe also studied Drama, and after graduating, chose to pursue a career in acting instead of dance.[4]

Career

Rowe made her film and professional debut at the age of 12, playing Helen Burns in Franco Zeffirelli's Jane Eyre.[2] In 2005 she was chosen by Roman Polanski to play Nancy in his adaptation of Oliver Twist.[3] Her television credits include Boudica, The Famous Five and Where the Heart Is. She also played the lead role of May Moss in the Liverpool-set BBC One drama Lilies.[2]

Rowe's radio drama work includes Avoid London, Loving, Forget Me Not, One Chord Wonders, Roald Dahl's The Witches and To Sir with Love.[3]

Rowe made her West End debut in Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage, playing the lead role of Frances 'Baby' Houseman.[3] In 2009 she appeared in the revival of Victoria Wood's Talent at the Menier Chocolate Factory, playing Julie.[5]

Filmography

Television

YearShowRoleNotes
1996The Famous FiveHarriet
- Five on Finniston Farm (1996)
TV series
2003BoudicaSioraTelevision film
2004Where the Heart IsWaitress
- Stormy Weather (2004)
TV series
2007LiliesMay MossTV series
2013Call the MidwifeRuby RobertsTV series

Film

YearFilmRoleNotes
1996Jane EyreHelen BurnsFeature film
2005Oliver TwistNancyFeature film

Theatre

YearProductionVenueRoleNotes
2008Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on StageAldwych TheatreFrances 'Baby' HousemanMusical
2009TalentMenier Chocolate FactoryJulieMusical / Play
2011LovesongWarwick Arts CentreMargaretFrantic Assembly

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Leanne has the time of her life on stage. https://archive.today/20130505144335/http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/searching/Leanne-time-life-stage/article-353234-detail/article.html. dead. 5 May 2013. This is Total Essex. 25 September 2008. 23 July 2009.
  2. Web site: "Lilies" Press Pack: Leanne Rowe plays May. BBC Press Office . 18 December 2006 . 23 July 2009.
  3. http://www.dirtydancinglondon.com/about/cast/leanne_rowe.php Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage: Cast: Leanne Rowe
  4. Web site: Dirty Dancing's Baby talks to Female First. Asbury, Karen. Female First . 15 January 2009 . 23 July 2009.
  5. Web site: Plays Cast: Rowe's Got Talent, Light Leads Paine. Bosanquet, Theo. What's on Stage . 22 July 2009 . 23 July 2009.