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

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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

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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

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Television

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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

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

Theatre

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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

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  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.
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