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.

Leanne Rowe
Born1982 (age 41–42)
OccupationActress
Years active1996–present

Background edit

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 edit

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 edit

Television edit

Year Show Role Notes
1996 The Famous Five Harriet
- Five on Finniston Farm (1996)
TV series
2003 Boudica Siora Television film
2004 Where the Heart Is Waitress
- Stormy Weather (2004)
TV series
2007 Lilies May Moss TV series
2013 Call the Midwife Ruby Roberts TV series

Film edit

Year Film Role Notes
1996 Jane Eyre Helen Burns Feature film
2005 Oliver Twist Nancy Feature film

Theatre edit

Year Production Venue Role Notes
2008 Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage Aldwych Theatre Frances 'Baby' Houseman Musical
2009 Talent Menier Chocolate Factory Julie Musical / Play
2011 Lovesong Warwick Arts Centre Margaret Frantic Assembly

References edit

  1. ^ "Leanne has the time of her life on stage". This is Total Essex. 25 September 2008. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d e ""Lilies" Press Pack: Leanne Rowe plays May". BBC Press Office. 18 December 2006. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d e Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage: Cast: Leanne Rowe Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
  4. ^ Asbury, Karen (15 January 2009). "Dirty Dancing's Baby talks to Female First". Female First. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
  5. ^ Bosanquet, Theo (22 July 2009). "Plays Cast: Rowe's Got Talent, Light Leads Paine". What's on Stage. Retrieved 23 July 2009.

External links edit