User:Mattgrainger/Lucy Grainger

Lucy Grainger (born Lucy Ann Grainger; 28th June 1985) is a Welsh stage actress and singer best known for her performaces in independent fringe theatre productions. She currently resides in South London with her long term boyfriend.

Early Life

Lucy was born to Andrew Grainger and Ann Grainger (née Davies) in Carlisle, England on the 28th June 1985. She has a younger sister, Emily born 1988, and a younger brother, Matthew born 1993. In 1990 the family moved to Bridgend, South Wales after a family dispute with her paternal grandparents. The family settled into the village of Coychurch and this makes Matthew the only child to be born in Wales, like Ann and Lucy's maternal grandparents.

Lucy attended Coychurch primary school and later Pencoed Comprehensive School in nearby Pencoed. It was here that her love of acting, singing and dancing began. During year 7 of comp, Lucy won a part in the chorus of Camelot (musical). While she was in year 10, Lucy won the lead role of Ado Annie in Oklaoma (musical), a feat unknown up to and since that point, the lead roles are usually always kept for sixth formers. Her performance was good enough to ensure her a role as Lily St. Regis in Annie (musical) the following year. During year 12 she played Adelaide in Guys and Dolls to much acclaim. Her final year at Pencoed saw her set a new precedent once again as the musical chosen that year (My Fair Lady) was chosen specifcally for her to play Eliza Dolittle, a role she played to sold out audiences and standing ovations over 4 consecutive nights.

During her time at compehensive school, Lucy achieved a Distinction in Grade 8 Musical Theatre Singing, she also plays the clarinet and piano to grade 8 standard.

Lucy also attended Bridgend Youth Theatre where she portrayed numerous and varied roles in musicals and straight plays.

Training & Early Career

Lucy decided that drama was to be her chosen profession, but after unsuccesful auditions to numerous London Drama Colleges she decided to study for a bachelor degree in drama at UWE.

She then studied for a post-graduate degree in acting at Drama Studio London in Ealing, West London. While at drama college, Lucy portrayed Cleopatra in Anthony and Cleopatra, Kate in "the Gut Gut Girls", Natasha in "Three Sisters", as well as apearing in plays such as The Winter's Tale, The Country Wife, Love in a Wood, and Hearts Desire Hotel.

Her first role out of drama school was a Theatre in Education production of Tom's Midnight Garden, where she played the character of Hattie from age 8 to 80! It was on this tour that she met her partner, Adam. Soon after, she was cast to play Betty Whitehouse in the J.B. Priesley play, Dangerous Corner. After this, she was cast in the Shoe Maker's Holiday at the Rose Bankside.

Her first musical theatre break came in early 2009, when she was cast as the lead role of Mary Lane in the European premiere of Reefer Madness. The production, diected by Chris Adams, was staged at the Bridewell theatre for a limited run of 2 weeks. The production was a double bill of two musicals in one night, Reefer Madness and "Clouds". The same cast was used in both productions and Lucy played a Cloud in "Clouds". Lucy was praised for her performances in both plays.

Following this she was cast as Egle in a new play "The Trial Of Marie Antoinette", based on the life and execution of the former French queen. After this run, Lucy played Susan Carter in The Witch Of Edmonton. Lucy garnered attention for this role, with critics commenting on her performance as "notable" (Remote Goat) and that "her ghostly return is effective and poignant" (British Theatre Guide)

Early 2010 saw her return to her comedy roots with an online viral video for ask jeeves which can be viewed on Youtube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxbmsKj92xM

Along with her stage credits, Lucy has also appeared in a number of short films for independent companies.

In 2009, Lucy recorded four songs on one night, "Lonely Goatherd" from The Sound Of Music (a musical she has loved since she was small and a song originally sung by Julie Andrews who is a personal inspiration for Grainger), "Defying Gravity" from the musical Wicked, "There's a Fine, Fine Line" from the musical Avenue Q and "Holding Out For a Hero" originally sung by the Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. These songs were recorded well into the night, after a full day's work by Grainger, in one session. They can all be heard on Youtube.

Lucy is a high soprano singer as well as a mezzo-soprano. She specialises in Musical Theatre, Cabaret, Folk and Rock singing as well as contemporary dance. She is a member of Pineapple Dance Studios in Central London.

To date, Lucy has started workshopping for a new sitcom - 'The Camden Project'; which will result in 6 ten minute pilot pisodes.