Kerry Ellis | |
|---|---|
 Ellis in 2012 | |
| Born | Kerry Jane Ellis (1979-05-06)6 May 1979 (age 45) Haughley, Suffolk, England |
| Education | Laine Theatre Arts |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | KerryEllis.com |
Kerry Jane Ellis (born 6 May 1979) is an English actress and singer who is best known for her work inmusical theatre and subsequent crossover into music. Born and raised inSuffolk, Ellis began performing at an early age before training atLaine Theatre Arts from the age of 16.
Ellis made her first professional stage appearance in 1998 and went on to make herWest End debut in the 2001 revival ofMy Fair Lady as an understudy for the role ofEliza Doolittle. In 2002, she landed the role of Meat in the original London cast ofWe Will Rock You and has subsequently played lead roles in musicalsLes Misérables,Wicked (in the West End and onBroadway),Oliver! andCats as well as appearing in national tours and concert productions of musicals likeMiss Saigon,Chess,The War of the Worlds,RENT, andAnything Goes. Ellis, who has received several awards and nominations for her performances, has become recognised as the First Lady of West End musicals.[1][2] She has also worked sporadically in film and television.
After meetingQueen guitaristBrian May in 2002, Ellis expanded her repertoire as a solo artist. She has released four studio albumsAnthems (2010), which reached number 15 on theUK Albums Chart, the self-titledKerry Ellis (2014),Golden Days (2017) andFeels Like Home (2020) as well as an extended playWicked in Rock (2008) and a live albumAcoustic by Candlelight (2013). Ellis also appears as a featured artist on several other albums. Ellis has performed in concerts across the world in addition to headlining solo concert tours likeAnthems: The Tour andThe Born Free Tour.
In addition to her musical work, Ellis involves herself in charity work for theBorn Free Foundation with May and is the patron of several arts organisations. In 2019, Ellis received an honorary fellowship from theUniversity of Suffolk.[3]
Kerry Jane Ellis was born on 6 May 1979 inHaughley,[4] nearStowmarket, in Suffolk, the daughter of Sandra Ann Reed and Terry John Ellis.[5][6] Describing herself as a hyperactive young girl, she attended dance classes at the Ann Holland School of Theatre Dance and performed in local shows and pantomimes whilst also enjoying swimming and horse-riding.[7][8] Her first stage role was inThe Wizard of Oz at theWolsey Theatre in nearby Ipswich where she played aMunchkin at the age of 9.[7][8][9] After a successful audition, she also spent the summer of 1990 with theNational Youth Music Theatre (NYMT).[8][10]
When her parents took her to see the West End production ofLes Misérables for her thirteenth birthday, "that's when I knew I wanted to be on the stage."[8][11] Although she had not discovered her vocal ability until she was at college and had started working, Ellis cites her early influences asLiza Minnelli,Elaine Paige andBarbra Streisand; their music she would sing in her bedroom much to the disturbance of her older brother Andrew, now a keenfisherman.[12][13] She has explained that fellow musical theatre actressRuthie Henshall inspired her growing up: "[Henshall] was a success story from Suffolk … I think I identified with her because it was an actual story that I saw happen and was achievable. She was only a couple of years ahead of me and I could relate to her."[14]
Whilst attendingStowmarket High School, she completedwork experience with Starmakers, a company of holiday entertainers, atPotters Leisure Resort inHopton-on-Sea.[15] She also spent the summers of 1995 and 1997 with the company to earn money by singing many of theircabaret shows.[16] Having left school at 16, Ellis turned toLaine Theatre Arts, an independent performing arts college, where she spent three years to gain anational diploma inmusical theatre. "It was an incredible three years where I learnt a great deal about myself, the industry and came away feeling part of something special," she remembers.[17] Ellis was also in the same year as fellow musical theatre actressLouise Dearman.[18] By the time she graduated in 1998, Ellis had appeared in a number of professional pantomimes for E&B productions includingDick Whittington (1995) andAladdin (1996) across theatres in the UK as well as performing the title role inCinderella (1997) at theCliffs Pavilion in Southend-on-Sea.[8][19]
Following her graduation, Ellis became firstunderstudy toMarti Webb in a UK concert tour ofThe Magic of the Musicals in 1998, required on several occasions in Webb's absence, yet took a hiatus in 1999 to board cruise shipMSVoyager of the Seas, employed as lead vocalist in the ship's entertainment staff.[7] After nine months traveling across the Caribbean, she left the ship in Los Angeles, spent three months travelling across the US until her visa ran out, and then returned to understudy in the UK concert tour.[7] By November 1999, she had made her first television appearance onChildren in Need for their specialPudsey the Musical and was featured in ajingle forCapital FM. Following this, she appeared as the title role in aGary Griffin-directed workshop production titledHelen of Troy and played the role of Mary inMerrily We Roll Along at theYvonne Arnaud Theatre.[20]
By late 2000, she had settled in her first property, a two-bedroomBrockley maisonette, and joined the original cast ofCameron Mackintosh's London revival ofMy Fair Lady, appointedswing and second of two understudies toMartine McCutcheon in the role ofEliza Doolittle after being scouted by agent Jonathan Greatorex.[21][22] The musical initially played at the Lyttelton Theatre at theRoyal National Theatre from 6 March 2001 to 20 June 2001 but later transferred toTheatre Royal, Drury Lane with shows beginning 21 July 2001.[23] Due to the illnesses of both McCutcheon and first understudy Alexandra Jay during the production's run at both theatres, Ellis starred as Eliza Doolittle oppositeJonathan Pryce andDennis Waterman; her West End debut saw her taking on the lead role with only three hours preparation.[24][25]
"Kerry [had] been in rehearsals throughout the run but she didn't find out until late afternoon that she was going on. She was scared and excited but enjoyed it," said agent Greatorex with first understudy Jay adding, "She was fantastic. She probably showed me up" while Ellis concluded, "I was nervous but once I was on stage the nerves disappeared and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience."[22] She played Eliza Doolittle on a total of five occasions and departed from the company in July 2002.[7] "I have particularly fond memories of this, my first West End show, and the experience I gained from the cast and creatives was fantastic," she reflected.[21] She also stated, "It was a great step up for me. It was important not just in the type of show it was but also in getting my face known."[14]
During her run inMy Fair Lady, Queen guitaristBrian May and music director Mike Dixon came to see the production. The first time, they saw Ellis perform in the ensemble; they returned for a second time at a performance where she was understudying the role of Eliza Doolittle and anonymously encouraged her to audition for the debut of theirjukebox musicalWe Will Rock You.[4] Ellis admitted at the time she had no idea it was May who was watching her; she found out at a later date.[26][27] After seven auditions, she landed the role of Meat and got to sing the solo song "No-One but You (Only the Good Die Young)".[8][14]
She began performances on 14 May 2002 and was also involved in television appearances with the cast onParkinson and atParty at the Palace. Ellis, who ended her run as Meat on 17 April 2004, is also featured on theoriginal London cast recording ofWe Will Rock You. She stated that working with May, Elton andRoger Taylor was "a great step forward" in her professional career; calling her journey "breath-taking."[21]
Particularly interested in working with her musically, May partnered with Ellis during her time inWe Will Rock You to lay the foundations of her musical career. "From the moment I first heard Kerry sing, I was entranced, and felt the conviction that I would one day make an album for her. That conviction never left me," he professed.[28] In 2002, they recorded an orchestral version of the song "No-One but You (Only the Good Die Young)". It was digitally released three years later.[12] Whilst still in the production, Ellis also performed in one-off intimate gigs at London venues.
After leaving the show, she performed in a concert version ofJesus Christ Superstar as the female lead, Mary Magdalene, atPorchester Castle in June 2004 alongside other West End performers and theBournemouth Symphony Orchestra. She also playedEva Cassidy in a 2004 workshop production ofWay Beyond Blue, aTrevor Nunn-directed andImogen Stubbs-written piece, in addition to being cast as Ellen in a UK tour ofMiss Saigon.[29][30] She went into rehearsals forMiss Saigon atSadler's Wells Theatre inIslington before performances commenced on 14 June 2004 at theTheatre Royal inPlymouth.[31] A BBC critic opined, "Although not on stage much, the brief moments with [Ellis'] Ellen are emotional and compassionate as well as vocally beautiful."[32]
Following this, Ellis got the role ofFantine in the West End production ofLes Misérables. Ellis started rehearsals while still touring withMiss Saigon,[33] and rehearsed for four weeks with the company before beginning the role of Fantine on 27 June 2005 at theQueen's Theatre alongsideJohn Owen-Jones,Shonagh Daly,Shaun Escoffery andHayden Tee.[21][34] Ellis played Fantine for almost a year and ended her time with the company on 24 June 2006.[33] Theatre producerCameron Mackintosh professed that Ellis made an "outstanding" Fantine in addition to admitting his pleasure at seeing Ellis' career grow through roles in three of his productions and naming her a "great talent."[35]
In July 2006, Ellis joined the original London cast of the musicalWicked at theApollo Victoria Theatre to playElphaba. Ellis had been contracted to serve as a temporary standby toIdina Menzel, the original Elphaba, for three months from first performances in September 2006, before taking over to play the lead role full time in January 2007.[36] During Menzel's run, Ellis played Elphaba on nine occasions in Menzel's absence; some fans turned up at the theatre expressly hoping to witness Ellis.[20] Ellis also made numerous appearances at concerts and events, singing songs from the musical, including West End Live inLeicester Square, Walk for Life inHyde Park, Kids Week inCovent Garden, and the annualGay Pride Festival inTrafalgar Square, in addition to making an appearance on lunchtime television chat showLoose Women. She continued the role at the Apollo Victoria Theatre until 7 June 2008.[37] For her portrayal, Ellis won theWhatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best Takeover in a Role in and a nomination for Favourite Theatre Actress at theLastminute.com People's Choice Theatre Awards.[38]
Following her time inWicked in London, Ellis then transferred to the Broadway production of the show at theGershwin Theatre with performances starting on 17 June 2008. She replaced stage actressStephanie J. Block, making her the firstWicked actress to transfer from the West End to Broadway.[39][40] Playing alongsideKendra Kassebaum asGlinda andAaron Tveit as Fiyero for her five-month run, Ellis won the Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite Female Breakthrough Performance in 2009.[41] Ellis also got involved in the musical's 5th anniversary celebrations by switching on the lights of theEmpire State Building with composer and lyricistStephen Schwartz. Ellis also performed atBroadway on Broadway inTimes Square, recorded a song titled "Behind these Walls" for Scott Alan's albumKeys and released her first extended playWicked in Rock (2008) during her time in New York.[42][43] Produced by Brian May andSteve Sidwell, the EP comprises three tracks: new orchestrations of "Defying Gravity" and "I'm Not that Girl" fromWicked and Queen song "No-One but You (Only the Good Die Young)" that she and May recorded six years earlier. Ellis left the Broadway company on 9 November 2008 and was replaced byMarcie Dodd.[44] She refers to the transfer from West End to Broadway theatre as "a real honour [and] a joy"; adding that performing on Broadway was "a dream come true."[45]
Ellis returned to the West End production ofWicked on 1 December 2008 and spent a further five months as Elphaba where, ultimately, she ended her time with the musical.[46] She played her last performance as Elphaba on 9 May 2009 and was succeeded byAlexia Khadime two days later.[47] Upon departure, Ellis had been billed as lead for a total of 116 weeks (omitting absence) in both the London and Broadway companies, making her the longest-serving British actress in the role of Elphaba (untilRachel Tucker later succeeded this feat in June 2012). Furthermore, Ellis andDianne Pilkington (who played as Glinda alongside her) were the show's longest serving leads.[27] In 2013, she was named the favourite West End Elphaba in a Whatsonstage.com poll asking the public to vote for their favourite actress who had played the role in London.[48]
Ellis cited the role of Elphaba as the "most challenging [that she had] ever undertaken" stating that it was "a massive journey" to go on at every performance and admits thatWicked "changed [her] life" in terms of boosting her recognition within the entertainment industry.[21][45] Ellis also represented the musical at the annualRoyal Variety Performance in 2008 where she performed her rock version of theWicked song "Defying Gravity" alongside Brian May on guitar at theLondon Palladium.[49]
Whilst still involved inWicked, Ellis also performed alongside Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal, Josh Groban, Clarke Peters, Marti Pellow and David Bedella in a two-day limited engagement of Chess in Concert at the Royal Albert Hall on 12 and 13 May 2008. She played the role of Svetlana and upon reflection, stated that to star at the Royal Albert Hall, work with an "amazing" company and sing alongside those particular cast members "was a dream come true." This concert version was later released on DVD and CD and screened on US network television.
Following her departure fromWicked, she recorded material with Brian May for her debut album and performed at various live events including her first set of solo musical showcase concerts entitledKerry Ellis Sings the Great British Songbook at theShaw Theatre onEuston Road in London.[12][50] She performed on four dates in late June 2009 with the inclusion of Brian May in each night's encore. Of the concerts, Ellis commented, "It's finally something that I can do as me, as opposed to being in a show as a character. It's lovely to be able to sing songs that I really want to sing or which I wouldn't normally get to sing."[45] The showcase paid tribute to some of Ellis' favourite British composers and lyricists includingTake That,Duffy,Andrew Lloyd Webber andPaul McCartney.[51] Of her "eclectic set" with "velvety rich distinctive vocals," a critic professed, "Ellis is as sexy as any other female pop star out there today and she sings like a true diva," and concluded, "She may have left Oz for good but there is no place like home and for Kerry Ellis that home is most definitely the stage."[52]
Ellis also performed on tours celebrating the music of Queen in 2009, including the Symphonic Queen Spectacular across cities in the UK and Champions of Rock across cities in Sweden. She also performed withJohn Barrowman at the 2009Henley Festival (which was later broadcast onBBC Radio 2'sFriday Night is Music Night), at the 2009Edinburgh Fringe Festival and at Thank You for the Music – a special concert in Hyde Park celebrating the music of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (of ABBA) in September 2009 – where she delivered the first UK performance of "You Have to Be There", a song from the pair's musicalKristina från Duvemåla.[53][54][55] Ellis also performed alongside other musicians at the Royal Albert Hall in November at Women of Rock, a performance dedicated to breast cancer research, and also appeared as a featured artist on a version of "Somebody to Love" onOnly Men Aloud!'s second studio albumBand of Brothers (2009); she later performed this song live with the choir at one of their concerts in December 2009 at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
Her return to the stage for the first time almost a year, Ellis replacedJodie Prenger in the role ofNancy in Cameron Mackintosh's London revival ofOliver! at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.[56] Ironically, Ellis had appeared in the BBC talent showI'd Do Anything (2009), mentoring potential Nancys (including Jodie Prenger) in the fore-running to the opening of this London revival.[57] She also mentored potential candidates inOver the Rainbow (2010), BBC's subsequent talent show that searched for aDorothy Gale for the2011 musical adaptation ofThe Wizard of Oz.[58] Ellis first played Nancy on 29 March 2010 to positive reviews, starring alongsideGriff Rhys Jones (and laterRuss Abbot) asFagin andSteven Hartley asBill Sikes.[59] She was the second and final actress to play Nancy in the London revival, continuing the role until the end of the show's run on 8 January 2011. Ellis was nominated for the 2010 BroadwayWorld.com UK Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical and the 2011 Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best Takeover in a Role but lost toSheridan Smith asElle Woods inLegally Blonde andRachel Tucker as Elphaba inWicked, respectively.
Fabricated within the space of nine months,Anthems, Ellis' debut studio album, was released in mid September 2010. The album, which was produced by Brian May and recorded atAbbey Road Studios with a 70-piece orchestra, was described by Ellis as one that "tap[s] into all the different areas that [she has] been part of" in her career between the years 2000 and 2010.[12] It includes both original songs, songs from musicals and concerts in which she has been involved as well as new arrangements of personal favourites. May stated that "[Kerry and I]'ve created [...] a style that defines a new form of music – a kind of anthemic-orchestral-rock-musical-theatre fusion," while Ellis remarked, "I think [Anthems has] got a touch ofcamp to it, really. It's very grand. [It has] big orchestras and big ballad-y vocals."[12] The album peaked at number 15 on theUK Albums Chart.
Promotion of the album included Ellis performing (with Brian May) on many television shows likeTonight's the Night,The Michael Ball Show,This Morning andThe Alan Titchmarsh Show, as well as performing live at theBBC Radio Theatre and later, London nightclub,G-A-Y.[60] The weekend prior to the album's release, Ellis was accompanied by May on guitar at BBC's Proms in the Park where she performed songs fromAnthems as well as a medley of Queen songs.[61] Joined by May once again, Ellis performed atThe Royal British Legion'sFestival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in the presence of theBritish Royal Family – includingQueen Elizabeth II.[62]
In support ofAnthems, Ellis and May embarked on her first headlining concert tour of Great Britain, titledAnthems: The Tour.[27] The tour commenced at the Royal Albert Hall on 1 May 2011 for two special charity performances (benefitingLeukaemia & Lymphoma Research), titled Anthems: The Concert, where Ellis was supported by the City of London Philharmonic, The West End Chorus, performerAdam Pascal and electronic string quartetEscala.[27] Her performances at the Royal Albert Hall both sold out and later garnered her the 2012 Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best Solo Performance and a nomination for the 2011 BroadwayWorld.com UK Award for Theatrical Event of the Year (she lost to 25th anniversary celebrations ofThe Phantom of the Opera). After attending Anthems: The Concert, criticMark Shenton ofThe Stage hailed Ellis, a "small but fierce and fiery performer," as "this generation's Elaine Paige, with a similarly soaring, scorching voice." He also made reference to her cult following built from herWicked days, labelling her "our local green goddess of song." Despite professing he prefers other contemporary musical theatre actresses, "I can't deny the power and following she clearly has."[63] Anthems: The Tour continued at venues throughout Great Britain and finished atRAF Cranwell in July 2011 where the pair headlined a special titled Anthems in the Park. The tour was met with mostly positive reviews with critics praising the meshing of May's sound with Ellis' voice.
Previous to this, she performed in various concerts throughout 2010 including The Night of 1000 Voices – which was dedicated to the 80th birthday of composer and lyricistStephen Sondheim – at the Royal Albert Hall in May, A Weekend with the Stars where she performed "Somebody to Love" with Only Men Aloud! at theWales Millennium Centre, and at an event celebrating the 80th anniversary of the birth of composerLionel Bart at theHackney Empire where she sang theOliver! song "As Long as He Needs Me".[64] The last two performances were later broadcast in December on British television channelS4C and on BBC Radio 2 respectively. She also lent her voice to a version of the song "Wind Beneath My Wings" that features theCentral Band of the Royal Air Force on their albumReach for the Skies and appears on a version of the song "Come What May" withAlfie Boe on his albumBring Him Home. Among other participants from the London theatre community, Ellis additionally lent her voice to "inspirational" videos that were released upon to video-sharing websiteYouTube for the "It Gets Better" campaign – a project created by columnistDan Savage in response to school bullying and a rash ofsuicides among young LGBT people aiming to "provide hope to youth struggling with their identity."[65] WithJohn Partridge, Ellis also presented the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical at the2010 Laurence Olivier Awards.
She also continued to perform in various concerts throughout 2011, including her return to the leisure resort where she first started working, Potters Leisure Resort, to perform in the One Night Musicals Spectacular, which saw Ellis in combination with "musical variety from Potters Theatre Company and other leading West End singers" in February.[66] In March, she duetted with performerBarry Manilow on theFinian's Rainbow song "Look to the Rainbow" at the2011 Laurence Olivier Awards in addition to returning to London nightclub G-A-Y, performing "Love It When You Call", "I Know Him So Well", "Diamonds are Forever" and the remixed version of her rock version of the song "Defying Gravity".[67][68]
April saw Ellis became a patron – alongsideBonnie Langford – toGuildford's Performance Preparation Academy (PPA). The school now offers annual scholarships in both Ellis' and Langford's names. In May, she judged in the 2011 Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year competition in addition to performing "Cabaret" and "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody" at theMermaid Theatre as part of the BBC Radio 2 specialFriday Night is Music Night in a special concert celebrating the music of the BBC's radio programmeDesert Island Discs and appearing at gay nightclubCruz 101 to perform "Love It When You Call", "Somebody to Love" and the remixed version of her rock version of the song "Defying Gravity" in celebration of the club's 19th birthday.[69][70][71]
With Brian May, she accepted an invitation to fly a trainingsortie with theRed Arrows on 16 June: Ellis on Red 1 withSquadron Leader Ben Murphy (the leader of the Red Arrows) while May flew on Red 7 withFlight Lieutenant Ben Plank.[72][73] The same month, the pair performed "Born Free" at the 2011Born Free Foundation Gala Dinner at theSavoy Hotel to celebrate the 80th birthday of its founderVirginia McKenna and teamed up again to perform at the 2011Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.
In August, she kicked off the20th English Premier League for theFA Community Shield by performing the British national anthem atWembley Stadium and also became a patron to Emil Dale's School of Performing Arts in Hitchin while September saw her performing at the opening launch concert of the new Diamond Theatre inSlovenia and returning to London's Savoy to sing at the 65th birthday celebrations ofFreddie Mercury.[74] She also returned to the Shaw Theatre in London on 30 September and 1 October, accompanied by musician Craig Adams, to perform in a pair of solo concerts titled An Audience with Kerry Ellis in addition to appearing at the 40th anniversary celebratory concert of the Broadway musicalGodspell at thePalace Theatre, Manchester in late October. Aside her professional endeavors, Ellis married her long-term boyfriend James Townsend on 8 September 2011 following their engagement in November 2010.[75]
In January 2012, Ellis auditioned for thedebut series ofThe Voice UK, a reality television singing competition. The show saw Ellis giving ablind audition in front of its four coaches. She sang "Son of a Preacher Man" but it failed to progress her further after none of the coaches turned round to select her to be in their groups.[76] Her audition aired on BBC One in March; the panel reacted with positive feedback.Tom Jones consoled her: "You seem like you've already made it," referring to her theatrical career, whileDanny O'Donoghue stated, "I thought you did a really phenomenal job, I really did. I can't fault that, all I can fault is myself for not turning around. I am looking for a specific type of girl singer and you're not it but you will be for 99% of the UK I am sure."[77] Her name later trended on social networking siteTwitter.[78]
She has continued to perform, appearing at a charity concert ofChildren of Eden alongside other West End performers at London'sPrince of Wales Theatre in January which provoked Mark Shenton to label Ellis andLouise Dearman as "the twin goddesses of West End musical voices."[79] Ellis paired with Brian May and singer Irene Fornaciari at the2012 Sanremo Music Festival on the songs "I (Who Have Nothing)" and "We Will Rock You" in February. The same month, she closed the 2012 Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards with May and also performed with him at the launch of Pride of Cape Town inSouth Africa in March. There, she also shot a documentary to highlight her charity work with the Born Free Foundation. After becoming patron of theWattisham Military Wives Choir, she went solo in the one-off concerts Coming Home and on the Edge towards the end of March and start of April and also led her own BBC Radio 2Friday Night is Music Night special with guests Brian May,Ramin Karimloo andJonathan Ansell.
Other appearances saw her sit on the celebrity judging panel forWest End Eurovision 2012 and perform in Scott Alan's concert at New York'sBirdland in April in addition to returning to The Night of 1000 Voices at the Royal Albert Hall, judging contestants for the Craig Barbour Award at theSoho Theatre, and playing at a Marco Bicego London jewellery exhibition in May. The same month, she flew toFlorence in Italy to perform with Italian Queen tribute band Killer Queen, but returned to England to sing with Brian May at concert titled Rock Against Cancer inDevizes. In June, Mark Shenton listed Ellis on his article about his "favourite leading musical ladies" in West End theatre, complimenting her for bringing "a different kind of pop passion to her voice that has stood her in good stead for [West End] shows."[80] June also saw her being filmed atPinewood Studios for the film adaptation of the musicalLes Misérables (2012), where she plays an uncreditedwench in the "Master of the House" number which featuresSacha Baron Cohen andHelena Bonham Carter.[81] She has also paired with Craig Adams on his new musicalDefect; she recorded a demo withOliver Tompsett entitled "If Only You Could Know" for the musical in June.
Throughout July, Ellis appeared in an interview-and-song series, These Are A Few of My Favourite Songs, at London's Soho Theatre, performed with the winners at the live final of #searchforatwitterstar – an online Twitter talent competition, sang as a special guest at musical concertWest End Men withLee Mead in bothJersey, Guildford andGuernsey, and sat on the judging panel for the gala finale of Talent 2012 at theGarrick Theatre – a competition on the search for the next West End musical theatre star. In August, Ellis was made the official patron of St. George's Youth Theatre inGreat Yarmouth, the Vice President of theNewmarket Operatic Musical and Dramatic Society (later their patron) and the first official patron of West End Stage, a London-based theatrical summer school, in addition to chatting with David Bedella at the After Show with David Bedella at the Alleycat in London's Soho.
In September, she performed with Brian May at both the Freddie for a Day launch event at London's Savoy Hotel, Wildlife Rocks at theGuildford Cathedral and at The Sunflower Jam at London's Royal Albert Hall in addition to sitting on the judging panel at London dog show Pup Aid. The following October, she led a week of solo concerts at theHippodrome Casino in Leicester Square with a small band and a number of special guests in addition to singing at an event entitled A Night at the Musicals at theWales Millennium Centre, part of the 2012 Cardiff Music Festival. The same month, she flew toShanghai to participate in a string of concerts entitled Ultimate Broadway at the city's Culture Square Theatre. These concerts featured other performers from the West End and celebrate both classical and contemporary Broadway hits. Ellis also embarked on her second headlining concert tour with Brian May,The Born Free Tour, performing dates in and around thehome counties from 5 to 19 November. The same month, the pair performed at theMake-A-Wish Foundation Winter Ball atThe Dorchester in London. In December, they also paired up again to perform for a Christmas special ofWeekend Wogan, which was broadcast later in the month on BBC Radio 2. She was also named an official patron of the Academy for Theatre Arts in Newcastle-under-Lyme in the same month. In January 2013, she was also made an official patron of the British Dance Arts Federation (BDAF).
Ellis returned to her theatrical roots on theNew Generation tour ofThe War of the Worlds, performing the role of Beth, at arenas around Europe from November 2012 to January 2013. The sold-out performance atThe O2 Arena was recorded and was released in cinemas in April and will be on DVD in November. Ellis also performed the role of Mimi alongsideSuperstar finalist Rory Taylor in the 20th anniversary concert production of the musicalRENT that toured the UK, opening on 25 April 2013 atThe Opera House in Manchester before playing theatres in London, Liverpool, Newcastle, Cardiff, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Glasgow and Leeds. It finished at The Cliffs Pavilion in Southend-on-Sea on 5 May 2013. She also appeared on select dates in the musical concertThe West End Men led by Lee Mead at London'sVaudeville Theatre from 25 May to 22 June.[82]
Other performances in 2013 include her leading a week of cabaret shows at The Pheasantry in London in February and at Tiger Tracks, a three-week tiger conservation event, performing a free outdoor charity gig atSt Pancras railway station with Brian May in March.[citation needed] In April, she returned to the After Show with David Bedella at the Alleycat in London's Soho to chat with David Bedella. In May, she led her own solo concert, entitled Kerry Ellis in Concert, at the London Palladium for one night only with various special guests including Brian May and West End performers,[83] in addition to performing at theGuildford School of Acting choir's concert with Ruthie Henshall, returning to West End Eurovision to present the West End Wilma Volunteer of the Year award and also headlining the 9th annualSpotlight Ball. In June, she performed in front ofCatherine, Duchess of Cambridge at the naming ceremony of the newest addition of theP&O Princess Cruises' fleet, Royal Princess, before going back on the road to do a second leg of The Born Free Tour in the UK and Ireland with Brian May.[84]
The pair then took The Born Free Tour to mainland Europe in July in addition to performing at the 47thMontreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland followed by a performance at the 2013 Guitare en scène festival 2013 in the east of France. In August, she performs in West End Anthems, a musical theatre revue, at the Glow venue inBluewater in Kent and will be a special guest at An Intimate Evening with Ruthie Henshall at London'sCadogan Hall and a special guest at The Velma Celli Show at the Hippodrome Casino, London. Ellis returned to the Hippodrome Casino in September, as a special guest atChristina Bianco's Diva Moments concert. The same month, she also performed withMichael Ball andGina Beck in Summertime, a musical theatre event celebrating the music ofGeorge Gershwin, at London'sKenwood House,[85] in addition to talking to Edward Seckerson in his Singular Sensations series at Charing Cross Theatre, London, and playing an acoustic set with Brian May at the Hope 4 Apes charity ball, hosted by Sir David Attenborough, at The Savoy, London. She also appeared in TransAtlantic, a concert mix of new musical theatre at St James Theatre, London, singing a duet with Rory Taylor in September. In October, she performed at Inspiration Awards for Women at Cadogan Hall, London. Ellis will also perform at A Night at the Musicals when it returns to the Wales Millennium Centre as well as appearing as a special guest in a Christmas Spectacular at the Royal Albert Hall in December.
Throughout these endeavours, Ellis worked on new music with Brian May; she released a live albumAcoustic by Candlelight with him on 17 June 2013.[86][87][88] Prior to its release, the pair released a cover of "Born Free" as a single on 5 November 2012[89] and a new song "The Kissing Me Song" on limited edition 7" vinyl forRecord Store Day on 20 April 2013 and as a single on 17 June 2013. A DVD of the tour will also be available by Christmas 2013. She also provided vocals for "The Badger Swagger", a song with Brian May and Slash in support of Team Badger, a coalition of organisations teaming up to fight the planned cull of badgers in the UK, which was released on 3 June 2013, and also for a charity single with Viva! (Vegetarians International Voice for Animals), which will be released in time for Christmas 2013.Ellis gave birth to a baby boy, Alfie Ellis-Townsend, on 25 October 2013.[90]
In the first quarter of 2014, Ellis performed inWest End Anthems at the Watford Colosseum and also returned to 20th anniversary concert tour ofRENT for dates across the UK in January and February.[91] She also went back on the road with Brian May on The Candlelight Concerts tour between February and March as well as returning to London's Pheasantry, performing in A Night in the West End with the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, singing in a solo concert Live at the Gaiety Theatre on the Isle of Man, and performing at An Evening of Movies and Musicals with Joe McElderry in Scotland.
Ellis also launched a Pledge page, with a variety of VIP packages and Ellis gifts to try to fund her new album. Her new album,Kerry Ellis was released on 14 September 2014.
On 12 July 2014, Ellis joinedWicked's original Broadway Glinda,Kristin Chenoweth in a duet of "For Good" during her one night only solo concert at theRoyal Albert Hall.
On 14 July 2014, it was announced that Ellis would once again rejoin the West End production ofWicked, replacingWillemijn Verkaik as Elphaba at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. She played a limited 12-week engagement from 4 August 2014 through 25 October 2014.[92]
In December 2014, Ellis released a double album, together with fellow musical theatre stars,Louise Dearman andBen Forster, of Alexander S. Bermange's three-person musical,The Route to Happiness. This was made available as a deluxe 2-CD set and to download.
In February 2015, Ellis took over fromNicole Scherzinger as Grizabella inCats at theLondon Palladium.[93]
On Sunday 27 September, she performed in the previously announced one-night-only concert with fellow West End Star and friend Louise Dearman at the Prince Edward Theatre.She gave birth to her second child, a boy called Freddie, on 30 November 2015.
In 2017, Ellis starred as Alice in the UK tour ofWonderland.[94]
In August 2018, Ellis played at the Glamis Proms atGlamis Castle, the childhood home to Her Majesty, Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
On 18 December 2019, Ellis performed "Rise Like a Phoenix" in the opening of theMiss World 2019 pageant.[95]
Ellis sang "Defying Gravity" as the finale of Musicals: The Greatest Show, a socially distanced show with no audience, performed at the London Palladium, broadcast on BBC1 on 7 February 2021.
In February 2022, it was announced that Ellis would play Reno Sweeney in the UK/Ireland tour ofAnything Goes, which also played at London'sBarbican Theatre for the summer of 2022, until September 3.[96]
In July 2024, it was announced that Ellis would portray Cruella de Vil in the UK and Ireland tour of101 Dalmatians. Ellis appeared during the tour’s runs at theNew Theatre Oxford andTheatre Royal, Brighton. She was the final star cast member announced for the penultimate and concluding performances of the tour, scheduled from 3 December 2024 to 5 January 2025.[97][98] From 31 January to 1 February, 2025, Ellis performed a concert at54 Below inNew York City.[99]
| Title | Year(s) | Role(s) | Venue(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| My Fair Lady | 2001–2002 | Swing Eliza Doolittle(second understudy) | Lyttelton Theatre at theNational Theatre, London Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London |
| We Will Rock You | 2002–2004 | Meat | Dominion Theatre, London |
| Miss Saigon | 2004–2005 | Ellen | UK tour |
| Les Misérables | 2005–2006 | Fantine | Queen's Theatre, London |
| Wicked | 2006–2008 | Elphaba | Apollo Victoria Theatre, London |
| 2008 | Gershwin Theatre, New York | ||
| 2008-2009 | Apollo Victoria Theatre, London | ||
| Oliver! | 2010–2011 | Nancy | Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London |
| Wicked | 2014 | Elphaba | Apollo Victoria Theatre, London |
| Cats | 2015 | Grizabella | London Palladium, London |
| Murder Ballad | 2016 | Sara | Arts Theatre, London |
| Wonderland | 2017 | Alice | UK tour |
| Anything Goes | 2022 | Reno Sweeney | UK tour Barbican Theatre, London |
| 101 Dalmatians | 2024-2025 | Cruella de Vil | UK tour New Theatre Oxford, Oxford Theatre Royal, Brighton, Brighton |
| Title | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Helen of Troy | 2000 | Helen of Troy |
| Way Beyond Blue | 2004 | Eva Cassidy |
| Title | Year | Role | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jesus Christ Superstar | 2004 | Mary Magdalene | Portchester Castle, Portchester |
| Chess | 2008 | Svetlana Sergievsky | Royal Albert Hall, London |
| Godspell | 2011 | Female vocal leads | Palace Theatre, Manchester |
| Children of Eden | 2012 | Special guest | Prince of Wales Theatre, London |
| The War of the Worlds – The New Generation | 2012–2013 | Beth | Various arenas across Europe |
| RENT | 2013–2014 | Mimi | Various theatres across the UK |
| The West End Men | 2013 | Herself | Vaudeville Theatre, London |
| West End Women | 2014 | Herself | UK & Ireland Tour |
| Title | Year | Venue(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Kerry Ellis Sings the Great British Songbook | 2009 | Shaw Theatre, London |
| Anthems: The Concert | 2011 | Royal Albert Hall, London |
| Anthems: The Tour | 2011 | Various across the UK |
| An Audience with Kerry Ellis | 2011 | Shaw Theatre, London |
| Coming Home | 2012 | The Apex, Bury St Edmunds |
| On the Edge | 2012 | Gwyn Hall, Neath |
| Live at the Hippodrome | 2012 | Hippodrome Casino, London |
| The Born Free Tour | 2012–2013 | Various across the UK, Ireland and Europe |
| An Evening with Kerry Ellis | 2013 | The Pheasantry, London |
| Kerry Ellis Live | 2013 | New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich |
| Kerry Ellis in Concert | 2013 | The Palladium, London |
| The Candlelight Concerts | 2014 | Various across the UK and Europe |
| Kerry Ellis in Concert UK Tour | 2014 | Various across the UK |
| One Voice The Tour | 2016 | Various across Europe |
| Title | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Les Misérables | 2012 | Wench(extra) |
| Wicked: For Good | 2025 | TBA(cameo) |
| Title | Year | Channel | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parkinson | 2002 | BBC One | Herself | Performed "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" with Brian May, Roger Taylor andWe Will Rock You cast |
| Party at the Palace | 2002 | BBC One | Meat | Performed "We Will Rock You" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" with Brian May, Roger Taylor andWe Will Rock You cast |
| Loose Women | 2007 | ITV | Elphaba | Performed "The Wizard and I" |
| I'd Do Anything | 2008 | BBC One | Herself | Mentored potential Nancys at the Apollo Victoria Theatre |
| Royal Variety Performance | 2008 | BBC One | Herself | Performed "Defying Gravity" with Brian May |
| Over the Rainbow | 2010 | BBC One | Herself | Mentored potential Dorothys at the Dominion Theatre |
| Big Brother's Little Brother | 2010 | E4 | Herself | Interview |
| Tonight's the Night | 2010 | BBC One | Herself | Performed "Wind Beneath My Wings" with contestant and "Anthem" with Brian May |
| The Michael Ball Show | 2010 | ITV | Herself | Interview; performed "Anthem" with Brian May |
| This Morning | 2010 | ITV | Herself | Interview; performed "Anthem" with Brian May |
| Breakfast | 2010 | BBC One | Herself | Interview |
| BBC London News | 2010 | BBC One | Herself | Interview with Brian May |
| Proms in the Park | 2010 | BBC Red Button | Herself | Performed "Dangerland", "I'm Not that Girl", "Anthem", "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" with Brian May |
| The Wright Stuff | 2010 | Channel 5 | Herself | Special guest panelist |
| Festival of Remembrance | 2010 | BBC One | Herself | Performed "Anthem" with Brian May |
| Only Men Aloud – Merry Christmas | 2010 | S4C | Herself | Performed "Somebody to Love" with Only Men Aloud |
| Breakfast | 2011 | BBC One | Herself | Interview with Brian May |
| 2011 Laurence Olivier Awards | 2011 | BBC Red Button | Herself | Performed "Look to the Rainbow" with Barry Manilow |
| The Alan Titchmarsh Show | 2011 | ITV | Herself | Performed "Defying Gravity" |
| Fern | 2011 | Channel 4 | Herself | Interview; performed "I Love a Butterfly" with Brian May |
| The Hour | 2011 | STV | Herself | Interview; performed "I Love a Butterfly" with Brian May |
| FA Community Shield | 2011 | Sky Sports | Herself | Performed the British national anthem at Wembley Stadium |
| Sanremo Music Festival 2012 | 2012 | Rai 1 | Herself | Performed "I (Who Have Nothing)" and "We Will Rock You" with Brian May and Irene Fornaciari |
| The Voice UK | 2012 | BBC One | Herself | Auditioned for the show'sfirst series |
| Foxes Live: Wild in the City | 2012 | Channel 4 | Herself | Appeared in a short film about saving foxes with Brian May |
| Live with… | 2012 | Channel 5 | Herself | Interview with Jeff Wayne |
| The Wright Stuff | 2012 | Channel 5 | Herself | Special guest panelist |
| ITV News London | 2013 | ITV | Herself | Interview about Tiger Tracks and animal conservation with Brian May |
| The Late Late Show | 2013 | RTÉ One | Herself | Interview; performed "Life is Real" with Brian May |
| This Morning | 2013 | ITV | Herself | Interview; performed "Born Free" with Brian May |
| The Alan Titchmarsh Show | 2013 | ITV | Herself | Interview; performed "The Kissing Me Song" with Brian May |
| Sunday Brunch | 2013 | Channel 4 | Herself | Interview with Brian May |
| Big Brother's Bit on the Side | 2013 | Channel 5 | Herself | Surprise guest panelist |
| Pointless Celebrities | 2013 | BBC One | Herself | West End special |
| Diamonds Are Forever: The Don Black Songbook | 2014 | BBC Four | Herself | Performed with Brian May |
| 'Musicals: The Greatest Show | 2021 | BBC One | Herself | Performed with BBC Concert Orchestra at theLondon Palladium |
| Title | Year | Chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| UK [100] | ||
| Wicked in Rock | 2008 | — |
| Anthems | 2010 | 15 |
| Acoustic by Candlelight (withBrian May) | 2013 | — |
| Kerry Ellis | 2014 | 50 |
| Golden Days (withBrian May) | 2017 | 27 |
| Feels Like Home | 2020 | — |
| Kings & Queens | 2023 | — |
| Title | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| My Fair Lady | 2001 | Featured as part of the ensemble on the 2001 London cast recording |
| We Will Rock You | 2003 | Featured as Meat on "I Want It All", "Headlong", "No-One But You (Only the Good Die Young)" and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and as ensemble on several songs on the original London cast recording |
| Wicked | 2008 | Featured on "I'm Not that Girl" on the bonus disc of the 5th anniversary edition of the original Broadway cast recording |
| Chess in Concert | 2009 | Featured on "Someone Else's Story", "The Deal (No Deal)", "I Know Him So Well" and "Endgame (Part 3)" |
| The Route To Happiness | 2014 | With Louise Dearman and Ben Forster |
| Title | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Keys: The Music of Scott Alan | 2008 | Featured on "Behind these Walls" with Scott Alan |
| Champions of Rock | 2009 | Featured on several songs |
| Band of Brothers | 2009 | Featured on "Somebody to Love" withOnly Men Aloud! |
| Reach for the Skies | 2010 | Featured on "Wind Beneath My Wings" withRAF Central Band |
| Bring Him Home | 2010 | Featured on "Come What May" withAlfie Boe |
| Music of the Night: The Ultimate Musicals Collection | 2011 | Featured on "Come What May" with Alfie Boe and "Defying Gravity" |
| Scott Alan: LIVE | 2012 | Featured on "Never Neverland (Fly Away)" with Scott Alan |
| I'll Stand by You | 2013 | Featured on "Come What May" with Alfie Boe and "Defying Gravity" |
| Badger Swagger | 2013 | Featured on "Badger Swagger" with David Attenborough, Brian May, Slash and Shara Nelson |
Throughout her career, Ellis has accrued a total of five wins from thirteen nominations in various audience choice awards for her theatrical and musical work.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Elphaba inWicked | Lastminute.com People's Choice Theatre Award for Favourite Theatre Actress | Nominated |
| 2008 | Elphaba inWicked | Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best Takeover in a Role | Won |
| 2009 | Elphaba inWicked | Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite Female Breakthrough Performance | Won |
| 2010 | Nancy inOliver! | BroadwayWorld.com UK Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical | Nominated |
| 2011 | Nancy inOliver! | Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best Takeover in a Role | Nominated |
| 2011 | Anthems: The Concert | BroadwayWorld.com UK Award for Theatrical Event of the Year | Nominated |
| 2012 | Anthems: The Concert | Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best Solo Performance | Won |
| 2013 | Kerry Ellis at the Palladium | BroadwayWorld.com UK Award for Theatrical Event of the Year | Nominated |
| 2015 | Elphaba inWicked | Whats on Stage Award for Best Takeover in a Role | Won |
| 2015 | Kerry Ellis at The Phesantry | London Cabaret Award for Best One-off Production | Nominated |
| 2015 | "Memory" fromCats | West End Frame Award for Best Performance of a Song | Nominated |
| 2015 | Grizabella inCats | BroadwayWorld.com UK Award for Best Featured Actress in a New Production of a Musical | Won |
| 2015 | Kerry Ellis & Louise Dearman Live in Concert | BroadwayWorld.com UK Award for Theatrical Event of the Year | Nominated |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
