Aimie Atkinson

{{Infobox person

| image = aimie atkinson 2022 1.jpg

| caption = Atkinson performing at Hampton Court Palace in 2022

| birth_name = Aimie Allen-Atkinson

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1987|06|05}}

| birth_place = Stevenage, England

| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|singer}}

| years_active = 2006–present

| website = {{URL|www.aimieatkinson.com}}

}}

Aimie Allen-Atkinson (born 5 June 1987){{Cite web |title=Aimie Atkinson {{!}} West End Performers {{!}} London Theatre Direct |url=https://www.londontheatredirect.com/actor/aimie-atkinson |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=www.londontheatredirect.com}} is an English stage actress and singer.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mandy.com/actor/profile/aimie-atkinson#signup|title=Actor Profile|date=25 November 2018|website=mandy.com}} She is known for portraying the role of Katherine Howard in British comedy musical SIX on the original UK tour and in the West End production at the Arts Theatre, Lyric Theatre and Vaudeville Theatre, portraying Vivian Ward in the West End production of Pretty Woman, as well as forming part of pop girl group SVN.{{cite web |title=See Who's Starring in London Concert World Premiere: Figaro: An Original Musical |url=https://playbill.com/article/see-whos-starring-in-london-concert-world-premiere-of-figaro-an-original-musical |website=Playbill}}

Early life

Atkinson was born to parents Faith Allen and Tom Atkinson in Stevenage, England. Her father played part-time in a rock band, which encouraged her to begin singing from a young age. Whilst studying at Collenswood School in Stevenage, Atkinson was part of the Fusion Performing Arts group and took part in many of their productions.{{cite web|url=https://www.hertfordshirelife.co.uk/people/q-a-the-bbc-radio-2-voice-of-musical-theatre-aimie-atkinson-1-1630307|title=Q&A: The BBC Radio 2 Voice of Musical Theatre, Aimie Atkinson|publisher=Hertfordshire Life Magazine|date=15 February 2010|access-date=3 March 2020}} Having studied to GCSE level, and then worked as an admin assistant in a music publishing company.{{Cite web |title=Alumni {{!}} Theatre School London {{!}} Susi Earnshaw School |url=https://www.sets.org.uk/about-us/alumni/ |access-date=2023-09-26 |language=en-GB}} She also ran a franchise for the Stagecraft school in Stevenage.{{cite web|url=https://www.voicemag.uk/interview/1212/want-my-job-with-aimie-atkinson-west-end-actor|title=Want My Job? Aimie Atkinson, West End actor|author=Ashlee Brown|publisher=Voice magazine|date=28 January 2017|access-date=3 March 2020}}

Career

After agreeing with a friend whilst studying at the Arts Educational School that both should apply to the BBC Radio 2 Voice of Musical Theatre competition, Atkinson was told that she could only apply for the amateur competition. After winning that, she joined a final competition against the final professional contestants – those with at least five years of stage experience – and also won that.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newtalent/music/success_atkinson.shtml|title=New Talent Success Stories: Aimie Atkinson.|date=19 September 2006|website=BBC New Talents}}

Aged 19, Atkinson left Arts Educational and became a full-time stage actress, taking her first professional job in Howard Goodall's Days of Hope at the King's Head Theatre.{{cite web|url=https://www.thebespokeblackbook.com/interview-with-aimie-atkinson/|title=Interview with Aimie Atkinson|author=Emily Healey-Lynham|publisher=The Bespoke Black Book|date=January 2019|access-date=3 March 2020}} She then took on various parts, before starting an intensive course in musical theatre at the Royal Academy of Music. After completing two months in RAM and one month in Arts Educational Schools, she left after two months to join the UK touring production of Zorro, playing the part of Luisa. Subsequently, landing a part in a musical as a sassy 40-year-old singer, the producer of the show then asked Atkinson to audition for the role of Daniela in the musical In The Heights, which she subsequently played at the King's Cross Theatre. She has since played Princess Jasmine in Aladdin alongside Priscilla Presley, Serena in Legally Blonde at Kilworth House, and Snow White opposite Jerry Hall at Richmond Theatre. She has also originated the role of Katherine Howard in the West End production of SIX.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sixthemusical.com/|title=Six the Musical|website=www.sixthemusical.com|language=en-GB|access-date=14 March 2019}}

On 13 February 2020, Atkinson began playing the role of Vivian Ward in the West End production of Pretty Woman: The Musical alongside Danny Mac at the Piccadilly Theatre.{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/aimie-atkinson-and-danny-mac-will-head-cast-of-londons-pretty-woman-the-musical|title=Aimie Atkinson and Danny Mac Will Head Cast of London's Pretty Woman: The Musical|website=Playbill|first=Andrew|last=Gans|date=11 December 2019|access-date=15 December 2019}} The show later officially opened on 2 March 2020,{{cite web|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/photos-pretty-woman-atkinson-mac-opening-night_51071.html|title=Pretty Woman with Aimie Atkinson and Danny Mac in the West End: opening night photos|website=WhatsOnStage.com|first=Daniel|last=Perks|date=3 March 2020|access-date=4 March 2020}} but closed only two weeks later due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/199021/ambassador-theatre-group-suspends-london-performances-through-may-31-due-to-covid-19/ |title=Ambassador Theatre Group Suspends London Performances Through May 31 Due to COVID-19 |last=Sullivan |first=Lindsay |date=3 April 2020 |website=Broadway.com |access-date=11 July 2021}} Atkinson returned to the show for its reopening at the Savoy Theatre on 8 July 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/pretty-woman-the-musical-sets-july-return-to-the-west-end |title=Pretty Woman: The Musical Sets July Return to the West End |last=Gans |first=Andrew |date=23 March 2021 |website=Playbill |access-date=11 July 2021}} The show closed in June 2023 and announced a UK and Ireland tour.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-08 |title=Pretty Woman sets West End closing date and announces new lead casting |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/pretty-woman-sets-west-end-closing-date-and-announces-new-lead-casting_58493/ |access-date=2023-07-02 |language=en-US}}

In May 2023 it was announced that Death Note: The Musical will have its English premiere at the London Palladium{{Cite web |date=2023-05-24 |title=Exclusive: Death Note: The Musical to play two concerts at The London Palladium |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/exclusive-death-note-the-musical-to-play-two-concerts-at-the-london-palladium_59015/ |access-date=2023-08-26 |language=en-US}} in August. Cast included Atkinson as Rem, Adam Pascal as Ryuk, Frances Mayli McCann as Misa, Dean John-Wilson as L and Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Light.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-24 |title=Death Note The Musical – final casting revealed |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/death-note-the-musical-final-casting-revealed_1513857/ |access-date=2023-08-26 |language=en-US}} The show is due to transfer to the Lyric Theatre in September 2023 for six additional performances{{Cite web |date=2023-07-28 |title=Death Note The Musical in Concert confirms new West End performances |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/death-note-the-musical-in-concert-confirms-new-west-end-performances_1514573/ |access-date=2023-08-26 |language=en-US}} with Georgie Maguire, Jessica Lee and Carl Man taking on the roles of Ryuk, Misa and alternate L respectively.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-21 |title=Death Note musical announces full casting for Lyric Theatre run |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/death-note-musical-announces-full-casting-for-lyric-theatre-run_1519328/ |access-date=2023-08-26 |language=en-US}}

In February 2024, she was selected to compete in the final of Una voce per San Marino 2024, the Sammarinese national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, with the song "A Dare for Love".{{Cite web |date=19 February 2024 |title=San Marino 2024: 'Una Voce Per San Marino' names released |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/una-voce-san-marino-names |access-date=19 February 2024 |website=Eurovision.tv |publisher=EBU}}{{Cite Instagram |postid=C3iqPrIIXh- |user=aimieatkinson |last=Atkinson |first=Aimie |title=Well I can't believe I'm writing this but a song @mrsteveanderson @terryronald and myself have put together is going through to the final of @unavocepersanmarino and I'll be performing it on @sanmarinortv this Saturday 24th! |date=2024-02-19 |access-date=2024-02-20}}

In September 2024, Playbill announced that Figaro: An Original Musical will have its West End Concert premiere at the London Palladium. Cast included Atkinson as Lucia, Cayleigh Capaldi as Sienna, and Jon Robyns as Figaro.

=Recording and music=

Atkinson released her debut studio album Step Inside of Love with Jay Records in 2017. As a member of the girl group Goldstone, she competed in Eurovision: You Decide 2018 with the song "I Feel The Love". Atkinson's recordings include:

Step Inside Love – debut solo album
I Feel The Love – BBC
100 Greatest Musicals – recorded at Abbey Road Studios
Postman and The Poet
Kurt Weill's One Touch of Venus
SIX: The Musical (Studio Cast Recording)

In 2021, Atkinson formed a seven piece girl group called SVN with six other members of the original West End cast of SIX, Millie O'Connell, Natalie Paris, Alexia McIntosh, Jarnéia Richard-Noel, Maiya Quansah-Breed, and Grace Mouat.{{cite web | url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/svn-meet-the-seven-piece-girl-group-of-six-the-musical-stars-set-to-play-debut-headline-show-in-london__37066/ | title=Meet brand-new girl group SVN | website=Official Charts }}{{Cite web|title=SVN|url=https://svnldn.com/|access-date=2021-05-16|website=SVN|language=en-US}} In 2022, the group released a number of singles such as "Woman"{{cite news| title=After the musical Six comes SVN – meet the group redefining girl power in 2022 | website=The Big Issue | date=28 April 2022 | url=https://www.bigissue.com/culture/music/after-the-musical-six-comes-svn-meet-the-group-redefining-girl-power-in-2022%EF%BF%BC/ | access-date=16 April 2023}} and "Free"

On 18 June 2021, Atkinson released the single "Pretty Woman", a contemporary reimagining of Roy Orbison's Pretty Woman.{{Cite web |title=West End star Aimie Atkinson partners with Absolute for debut solo single and EP |url=https://independentmusicinsider.com/press-release/west-end-star-aimie-atkinson-partners-with-absolute-for-debut-solo-single-and-ep/ |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=The Independent Music Insider}}

Personal life

Atkinson has dated both women and men.

She is currently married to fellow West End actor John Dalgleish. {{cite web|url=http://www.pocketsizetheatre.com/2019/06/intevriew-aimie-atkinson-currently-in.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727204620/http://www.pocketsizetheatre.com/2019/06/intevriew-aimie-atkinson-currently-in.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=27 July 2019|title=INTEVRIEW: Aimie Atkinson, currently in the cast of SIX at the Arts Theatre|date=6 June 2019|access-date=29 September 2019|website=Pocket Size Theatre}}{{Cite journal|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/aimie-atkinson-interview-pretty-woman-a4370386.html|title= Aimie Atkinson interview: 'Our Pretty Woman is about someone not willing to settle for less than she's worth'|journal=Evening Standard|first=Joe|last=Paskett|date=26 February 2020|access-date=2 April 2023}}

Her Charity work includes a ‘24 Hour Musical-A-Thon’ live stream with her flatmate at the time of Thomas ‘Tom’ Gribby on Instagram for Save the Children’s ‘Coronavirus Charity Appeal’ to which in total raised over £10,421 during the COVID-19 Pandemic on the 30th-31st of May 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/aimie-atkinson-to-perform-24-hour-musical-marathon-on-insta-live-for-save-the-children|title=Aimie Atkinson to perform 24-hour musical marathon on Insta-live for Save the Children|website=London Theatre Direct|last=Daniels|first=Nicholas Ephram Ryan|date=28 May 2020|access-date=3 June 2020}}

Discography

class="wikitable"

!Year

!Song

!Album

!Artist

!Notes

2016

| –

|Step Inside Love

|Aimie Atkinson

|With additional features

rowspan="2" |2018

|"I Feel the Love"

| –

|Goldstone

|Entry for Eurovision: You Decide 2018

"All You Wanna Do"

|SIX: The Musical (Studio Cast Recording)

|SIX (Studio Cast)

|With additional features

rowspan="3" |2021

|"Pretty Woman"

| –

|Aimie Atkinson

|Cover of Roy Orbison's Pretty Woman

"QUEEN"

| –

|SVN

|Cover of Jessie J

"Stars"

|Stars

|SVN

| –

rowspan="5" |2022

|"Woman"

|Woman

|SVN

| –

"I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You"

|Loving You

|Josh Piterman featuring Aimie Atkinson

| –

"FREE"

|FREE

|SVN

| –

"BOSS"

|BOSS

|SVN

| –

"At Christmas"

|At Christmas

|SVN

|Christmas Special

2024

|"A Dare For Love"

|Aimie Atkinson

|Entry for Una Voce per San Marino 2024

=Concert performances=

‘'Fridays Night is Music Night’' on many occasions.
Barbara Windsor's 70th Birthday BBC Radio 2 live from Hackney Empire.
Great British Musical (Perfect Pitch) – What's On Stage Awards.
Stephen Sondheim's 70th Birthday Concert.

Filmography

Nikki Martin – Doctors, BBC.
Anna Karenina – American Express Commercial.
Voice over for Thompson Holidays.
Snow White I-dents – Christmas Special, GMTV.
Snow White Documentary 'Seven Dwarfs', Channel 4,
Backing vocalists for 'The Michael Ball Show' and 'Britain's Got Talent', ITV.
BBC Wales ‘Search for a Musical Theatre Star’ and subsequently ‘A Musical Star is Born’.

Audio

class="wikitable"

!Year

!Project

!Episode

!Role

!Streaming App

!Ref.

2018

|The Sheep Chronicles III: The Jack and the Beans Talk

| –

|Chilli Bean

|Spotify

|{{Citation |title=The Sheep Chronicles III: Jack & the Beans Talk |date=2018-10-18 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/5n4TnGBkKxjEaKsDLW8Qri |language=en |access-date=2022-12-23}}

2021

|The Painkiller Podcast

|#17 Fib by Annie Williams

|Jamie

|Spotify

|{{Citation |title=#17 Fib by Annie Williams – performed by Aimie Atkinson |date=2021-03-10 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/60TcmcBE9LndVK2B1oEtla |language=en |access-date=2022-12-23}}