Carl Au

Au was born on 24 March 1987,{{Cite tweet|number=580422040718557186|user=carl_au|first=Carl|last=Au|title=Thanks for my birthday tweets guys!! Feelin' the love|date=24 March 2015|access-date=21 March 2021}} in Kirkby, Merseyside.{{cite news |last1=Forrester |first1=Kate |title=Kirkby-born Waterloo Road star Carl Au laces up dancing shoes for Comic Relief |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/kirkby-born-waterloo-road-star-carl-3323143 |access-date=26 August 2020 |work=Liverpool Echo |date=22 February 2013}} He has British, Chinese and Irish heritage.{{Cite tweet|number=1355087124496834562|user=carl_au|first=Carl|last=Au|title=I'm proud of my heritage being a mix of British and Chinese origin. And with some Irish too. But when people of mixed heritage still hear the "You're not white enough" line.. things have got to change. #BAME #experience|date=29 January 2021|access-date=20 March 2021}} Au received scholarships to three musical theatre colleges to study acting and musical theatre. Philip Key of the Daily Post called this "an unprecedented event in show business".{{cite news |last1=Key |first1=Philip |title=Arts Diary: Show a world away from Her Benny; Anne Dalton is producing a new musical. Philip Key reports. |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Arts+Diary%3A+Show+a+world+away+from+Her+Benny%3B+Anne+Dalton+is...-a0134813448 |access-date=14 October 2020 |work=Daily Post |date=4 August 2005|via=The Free Library}} He opted to study at the Arts Educational Schools, London, where he graduated in 2008.

Au began his stage career aged eleven. As a teenager, he appeared in Copperfield, a musical based on Dickens’ David Copperfield. He also appeared as young Benny in the stage production of Her Benny at the Liverpool Empire Theatre. In August 2005, he starred in the futuristic musical Lorenzo's Quest as protagonist Lorenzo. The actor featured in the 2006–2007 pantomime of Robin Hood and The Babes in the Wood at the Bournemouth Pavilion with three of his fellow Arts Educational College classmates. The run consisted of 48 performances and for the majority of the run, the actor was ill; nevertheless, he appeared in all the performances.{{cite news |last1=Porter |first1=Hilary |title=Poorly pair made sure that panto went on... |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/1102978.poorly-pair-made-sure-that-panto-went-on/ |access-date=2 September 2020 |work=Bournemouth Echo |date=4 January 2007}} In 2007, Au was invited to feature in the Barbara Cook and Friends charity gala show, organised for Barbara Cook's eightieth birthday. He dubbed it a "remarkable experience". From June to August 2008, Au appeared in the ensemble of High School Musical on Stage! for its London premiere at the Hammersmith Apollo.{{cite news |last1=Shenton |first1=Mark |title=Disney's High School Musical Makes London Premiere June 28 |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/disneys-high-school-musical-makes-london-premiere-june-28-com-151258 |access-date=2 September 2020 |work=Playbill |date=28 June 2008}} Later that year, he appeared in the Oxford Playhouse's 2008–2009 pantomime Sleeping Beauty.{{cite news |title=It's Panto Time 2008! |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/oxford/content/articles/2008/12/01/panto08_feature.shtml |access-date=2 September 2020 |work=BBC Oxford |date=1 December 2008}} He went on to appear at the 2009 Brit Awards as one of the Pet Shop Boys dancers{{cite web |title=Waterloo Road |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/gG7R87W033vlNYCGLrzbXS/waterloo-road |website=BBC Online |publisher=BBC |access-date=2 September 2020}} and has also performed with Lady Gaga.{{cite news |last1=Davy-Osborne |first1=Stephen |title=REVIEW: No Surprise Surprise for Cilla's opening night success |url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/16086546.review-no-surprise-surprise-cillas-opening-night-success/ |access-date=14 October 2020 |work=Swindon Advertiser |date=14 March 2018}}

The actor played the role of Nephew Fred in the 2009 production of A Christmas Carol at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.{{cite news |title=Lorna Want and Luke Brady Lead Cast of The Fantasticks |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Lorna-Want-and-Luke-Brady-Lead-Cast-of-THE-FANTASTICKS-20100315 |access-date=14 October 2020 |work=BroadwayWorld |date=15 March 2010}} In March 2010, Au's casting as the mute in The Fantasticks was announced; the production began in the West End in May. Between September and October 2010, Au appeared in the West End production of Bells Are Ringing at the Union Theatre, London; he portrayed Carl.{{cite news |title=Marc Antolin, Carl Au Join Bells Are Ringing At Union Theatre |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Marc-Antolin-Carl-Au-Join-BELLS-ARE-RINGING-At-Union-Theatre-20100907 |access-date=14 October 2020 |work=BroadwayWorld |date=7 September 2010}} In December 2010, it was announced that Au would join the West End cast of Jersey Boys as Joe Pesci, from 15 March 2011.{{cite news |title=Jon Lee Joins Cast Of Jersey Boys UK On March 15, 2011 |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Jon-Lee-Joins-Cast-Of-JERSEY-BOYS-UK-On-March-15-2011-20101207 |access-date=14 October 2020 |work=BroadwayWorld |date=7 December 2010 |archive-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321122353/https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Jon-Lee-Joins-Cast-Of-JERSEY-BOYS-UK-On-March-15-2011-20101207 |url-status=live }} At the Freedom Bar in London, the actor joined other West End actors in a one-night showcase of composer David Are songs, Slip Into Your Skin, on 18 March 2012.{{cite news |title=Sharon D. Clarke and Carley Stenson to Star in Slip Into Your Skin, London, March 18 |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/cabaret/article/Sharon-D-Clarke-and-Carley-Stenson-to-Star-in-SLIP-INTO-YOUR-SKIN-London-March-18-20120313 |access-date=14 October 2020 |work=BroadwayWorld |date=13 March 2012 |archive-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321122356/https://www.broadwayworld.com/cabaret/article/Sharon-D-Clarke-and-Carley-Stenson-to-Star-in-SLIP-INTO-YOUR-SKIN-London-March-18-20120313 |url-status=live }}

In 2012, Au was cast in the BBC school drama Waterloo Road as troublesome student Barry Barry. The character was introduced as part of a family headed by accredited actress Zöe Lucker.{{cite news |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title='Waterloo Road' role for ex-'EastEnders' star Zöe Lucker |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a389400/waterloo-road-role-for-ex-eastenders-star-ze-lucker/ |access-date=11 January 2019 |work=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Magazines UK |date=25 June 2012 |archive-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321122359/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a389400/waterloo-road-role-for-ex-eastenders-star-ze-lucker/ |url-status=live }} The role marks Au's first television credit. After appearing in two series, Au departed the drama and filmed his final scenes in October 2013.{{cite news |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title=Waterloo Road: Carl Au on Barry Barry exit, future career plans |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a554118/waterloo-road-carl-au-on-barry-barry-exit-future-career-plans/ |access-date=13 January 2019 |work=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Magazines UK |date=26 February 2014 |archive-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321122401/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a554118/waterloo-road-carl-au-on-barry-barry-exit-future-career-plans/ |url-status=live }} Daily Mirror{{'s}} Clemmie Moodie praised Au's performance in Waterloo Road, opining that he managed to "effortlessly nail [his] delivery every time".{{cite news |last1=Moodie |first1=Clemmie |title=School Daze; How I spent a day as an extra on kids' TV hit show.. and ended up as class dunce; Exclusive: Our Clemmie joins Waterloo Road |url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-341864134/school-daze-how-i-spent-a-day-as-an-extra-on-kids |access-date=15 January 2019 |work=Daily Mirror |date=5 September 2013 |archive-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321122349/https://www.gale.com/databases/questia |url-status=live }} The actor received a fanbase from his time on the drama and his fans continued to watch his stage roles.{{cite news |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title=Waterloo Road's Carl Au reveals life after Barry Barry role |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a605020/waterloo-roads-carl-au-reveals-life-after-barry-barry-role/ |access-date=26 August 2020 |work=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Magazines UK |date=21 October 2014 |archive-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321122417/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a605020/waterloo-roads-carl-au-reveals-life-after-barry-barry-role/ |url-status=live }} In February 2013, Au appeared in the Let's Dance For Comic Relief competition alongside four of his Waterloo Road co-stars. They performed a Spice Girls number dressed as the girl group; Au performed as Melanie C, which he was pleased with as he was the only performer who did not wear high heels. The actor told Kate Forrester of the Liverpool Echo that he relished the chance to "dance, sing and act all at the [same] time".

After leaving Waterloo Road, Au moved to London where he moved into a flat with friends. Shortly after, he auditioned for the lead, Alan 'Icarus' Flynn, in the play Bright Phoenix at the Everyman Theatre, Liverpool. The play ran throughout October 2014.{{cite news |last1=Meads |first1=Glenn |title=Cast: Everyman's Bright Phoenix |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/liverpool-theatre/news/cast-everymans-bright-phoenix_35530.html |access-date=26 August 2020 |work=WhatsOnStage.com |date=3 September 2014 |archive-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321122413/https://www.whatsonstage.com/liverpool-theatre/news/cast-everymans-bright-phoenix_35530.html |url-status=live }} Au enjoyed returning to theatre as he liked "the adrenaline that you can get from the audience". Au guest-starred in an episode of BBC medical drama Casualty in September 2014,{{Cite episode|title=Home|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04jmd4s|series=Casualty|series-link=Casualty (TV series)|credits=Mark Catley (writer); Joss Agnew (director); Jonathan Phillips (producer)|network=BBC|station=BBC One|airdate=20 September 2014|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-date=21 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321122425/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04jmd4s|url-status=live}} and the following year, he appeared in an episode of Doctors as anxiety sufferer Karl Moran.{{cite news |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title=Waterloo Road actor Carl Au to guest star in Doctors this month |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/doctors/a668147/waterloo-road-actor-carl-au-to-guest-star-in-doctors-this-month/ |access-date=26 August 2020 |work=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Magazines UK |date=12 September 2015 |archive-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321122402/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/doctors/a668147/waterloo-road-actor-carl-au-to-guest-star-in-doctors-this-month/ |url-status=live }} In 2016, Au was cast in the Till Death Us Do Part episode of The Lost Sitcoms series. He was delighted to be cast as his late grandfather was a fan of the sitcom.{{cite news |last1=Shennan |first1=Paddy |title=Kirkby actor recreates 'randy Scouse git' role for return of Till Death Us Do Part |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/kirkby-actor-recreates-randy-scouse-11794416 |access-date=26 August 2020 |work=Liverpool Echo |date=28 August 2016 |archive-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321122409/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/kirkby-actor-recreates-randy-scouse-11794416 |url-status=live }} That same year, the actor appeared in the Belgrade Theatre's production of Ostrich Boys. George Attwell of The Stage called the actor's performance "cartoonish yet consistently funny".{{cite news |last1=Attwell |first1=George |title=Ostrich Boys |url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/ostrich-boys-review-at-belgrade-theatre-coventry--snappy-but-unsatisfying |access-date=26 August 2020 |work=The Stage |date=14 September 2016 |archive-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321122400/https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/ostrich-boys-review-at-belgrade-theatre-coventry--snappy-but-unsatisfying |url-status=live }} Au was cast as Bobby in the 2017 touring production of Cilla The Musical, a biopic musical about the early career and music of Cilla Black.{{cite news |last1=Bowie-Sell |first1=Daisy |title=Full casting for Cilla the Musical |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/bath-theatre/news/full-casting-cilla-musical-andrew-lancel_44491.html |access-date=15 October 2020 |work=WhatsOnStage.com |date=30 August 2017 |archive-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321122411/https://www.whatsonstage.com/bath-theatre/news/full-casting-cilla-musical-andrew-lancel_44491.html |url-status=live }} In September 2019, it was announced that Au would star as Dick in the UK premiere of the musical High Fidelity at the Turbine Theatre, running between October and December 2019.{{cite news |title=Oliver Ormson and full cast announced for the UK première of High Fidelity: A Musical |url=https://www.bestoftheatre.co.uk/blog/post/high-fidelity-musical-casting |access-date=2 September 2020 |work=BestofTheatre.co.uk |date=24 September 2019 |archive-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321122402/https://www.bestoftheatre.co.uk/blog/post/high-fidelity-musical-casting |url-status=live }}

Au released his debut single, "Uncle", on 1 November 2020, under the stage name Au.{{cite tweet|number=1322480617632731136|user=carl_au|first=Carl|last=Au|title=Uncle Out Tomorrow. 01.11.2020 #madewithlove #forthelittleone #NicnJohn #Uncle #Au|date=31 October 2020|access-date=20 March 2021}} He announced the single two days prior to its release on his social media accounts. It is about him learning that he is about to be an uncle, and was released on his nephew's due date.{{cite tweet|number=1322190553346433024|user=carl_au|first=Carl|last=Au|title=*ANNOUNCEMENT* Those photos I've posted tell their story but are a part of a much bigger story. My beautiful Sister is due to have her first child – expecting on 1st November 2020. Anytime now!! As well as making things, i wrote a song I'd like to dedicate to the bun in the oven|date=30 October 2020|access-date=20 March 2021}}{{cite tweet|number=1322190554822791168|user=carl_au|first=Carl|last=Au|title=Nic and John, and hope it resonates with anyone who has children, brothers and sisters, aunties and uncles, and grandparents. The song tells my story from when I first heard the news from a soon-to-be Uncles perspective. I hope you enjoy! Out on their due date: 1st November x|date=30 October 2020|access-date=20 March 2021}} Then in November 2023, Au returned to Doctors, but in the role of Josh Harker.{{cite news |last1=Timblick |first1=Simon |title=Doctors spoilers: Bear Sylvester saves a life! |url=https://www.whattowatch.com/spoilers/doctors-spoilers-bear-sylvester-saves-a-life |access-date=21 November 2023}}

{{reflist}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Au, Carl}}

Category:Living people

Category:1987 births

Category:21st-century English male actors

Category:Actors from Kirkby

Category:English male child actors

Category:English male stage actors

Category:English male television actors

Category:English people of Chinese descent

Category:English people of Irish descent

Category:Male actors from Liverpool

Category:People educated at the Arts Educational Schools