Lizzie Bea

Lizzie Bea is a British actress and singer. She is best known for playing Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act and Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray.

Early life and education

Bea trained at the National Youth Theatre.{{Cite web |title=Lizzie Bea |url=https://www.sisteractthemusical.co.uk/london/bio-london/lizzie-bea.php?iframe=true&width=645&height=90%25 |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=www.sisteractthemusical.co.uk}}

Career

= Musical Theatre =

In September 2019 Bea joined the cast of the world premiere of the musical Becoming Nancy, playing at the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia. The show was directed by Jerry Mitchell and has music and lyrics by Stiles and Drewe.{{Cite web |title=Becoming Nancy // Sep 6–Oct 6, 2019 // Coca-Cola Stage // Alliance Theatre |url=https://www.alliancetheatre.org/production/2019-20/becoming-nancy |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=www.alliancetheatre.org}}

Bea made her West End debut in Hairspray, at the London Coliseum, in the leading role of Tracy Turnblad.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-29|title=Hairspray the Musical in the West End: First look at Michael Ball, Marisha Wallace, Lizzie Bea and more|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/hairspray-the-musical-in-the-west-end-first-look-at-michael-ball-marisha-wallace-lizzie-bea-and-more_54385/|access-date=2024-09-02|language=en-US|website=whatsonstage.com}} The show was due to open in 2020 and was postponed to April 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Stoddard |first=Jess |date=2020-10-28 |title=Lizzie Bea opens up about playing Tracy Turnblad in the new West End production of Hairspray |url=https://aah-magazine.co.uk/2020/lizzie-bea-opens-up-about-playing-tracy-turnblad-in-the-new-west-end-production-of-hairspray/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=aAh! Magazine |language=en-GB}} The show also starred Michael Ball, reprising the role of Edna Turnblad, Marisha Wallace as Motormouth Maybelle, Les Dennis as Wilbur Turnblad and Rita Simons as Velma Von Tussle.{{Cite web |last=Longman |first=Will |date=2020-02-24 |title=Lizzie Bea: 'It's important I'm a good role model for people coming to see Hairspray' |url=https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/lizzie-bea-important-im-a-good-role-model-hairspray |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=London Theatre |language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Gans|first=Andrew|date=June 26, 2020|title=Hairspray Will Open at London Coliseum in Spring 2021|url=https://playbill.com/article/hairspray-will-open-at-london-coliseum-in-spring-2021|website=Playbill.com|access-date=2024-09-02}}

In 2021 Bea took on the role of Martha Dunnstock in Heathers: the Musical at The Other Palace in London.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-09|title=Heathers the Musical announces cast for The Other Palace run|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/heathers-the-musical-announces-cast-other-palace_55290.html/|access-date=2024-09-02|language=en-US|website=whatsonstage.com}}{{Cite web|date=2021-12-22|title=Heathers the Musical at The Other Palace – new images released|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/heathers-the-musical-at-the-other-palace-new-images-released_55605/|access-date=2024-09-02|language=en-US|website=whatsonstage.com}}

Bea was announced as playing the role of Sister Mary Robert in the 2024 West End revival of the musical Sister Act.{{Cite web|date=2024-02-19|title=Full cast announced for Sister Act in the West End|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/full-cast-announced-for-sister-act-in-the-west-end_1577744/|access-date=2024-09-02|language=en-US|website=whatsonstage.com}} The part of Deloris was initially played by Beverley Knight (from Mar to Jun) and then by Alexandra Burke until the end of the run in late August. Other notable cast members were: Ruth Jones as Mother Superior, Lesley Joseph as Sister Mary Lazarus and singer Lemar as Curtis Jackson.{{Cite web|date=2024-03-20|title=Sister Act in the West End – first look photos released|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/sister-act-in-the-west-end-first-look-photos-released_1585799/|access-date=2024-09-02|language=en-US|website=whatsonstage.com}}