Chumisa Dornford-May | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2002/2003 Cape Town, South Africa |
| Alma mater | Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts |
| Years active | 2023–present |
| Father | Mark Dornford-May |
Chumisa Dornford-May (born 2002/2003) is a South African and British actress. Known for her work in musical theatre, she received aLaurence Olivier Award nomination.
Dornford is the daughter of English theatre directorMark Dornford-May and South African opera performer Pauline Malefane. She attendedHerschel Girls' School[1] in Cape Town and trained as a classical singer from age 9. Offered a place at Edinburgh'sSt Mary's Music School, Dornford-May instead relocated toChester in 2018, where she pursuedA Levels in English literature, Music and Performing arts atChristleton High School and joined On The Mark Youth Theatre (OTMYT).[2][3] She won theElaine Paige scholarship to study at theMountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, graduating in 2023.[4]
Upon graduating from drama school, Dornford-May made herWest End debut in the ensemble ofAndrew Lloyd Webber'sAspects of Love for its 2023 revival at theLyric Theatre onShaftesbury Avenue.[5] Later in the year, she played the Mistress inEvita at theCurve in Leicester.[6] She also understudied Martha Kirby in the titular role. For her performance, Dornford-May won aUK Theatre Award.
In early 2024, Dornford-May Dornford-May featured asWednesday Addams in theLondon Palladium concert ofThe Addams Family withRamin Karimloo[7] and joinedThe Phantom of the Opera atHis Majesty's Theatre on the West End, alternating asChristine Daaé with lead actress Lily Kerhoas.[8] She then starred asNatasha Rostova inNatasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 for its London premiere atDonmar Warehouse.[9][10] For her performance in the latter, Dornford-May was nominated for theLaurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
As of May 2025, Dornford-May is playing the role of Fritz inStephen Sondheim'sHere We Are at theNational Theatre.[11]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Aspects of Love | Ensemble (u/s Jenny) | Lyric Theatre, West End |
| 2023–2024 | Evita | Mistress (u/s EvaPeron) | Curve, Leicester |
| 2024 | The Addams Family | Wednesday Addams | London Palladium, West End |
| The Phantom of the Opera | Christine Daaé (alternate) | His Majesty's Theatre, West End | |
| 2024–2025 | Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 | Natasha Rostova | Donmar Warehouse, London |
| 2025 | Here We Are | Fritz | National Theatre, London |
| 2025-2026 | Into the Woods | Cinderella | Bridge Theatre, London |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | UK Theatre Awards | Best Supporting Performance (in a Play or a Musical) | Evita | Won | [12] |
| 2025 | Laurence Olivier Awards | Best Actress in a Musical | Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 | Nominated | [13] |