Tracie Bennett

Tracie Bennett was born in Lancashire in 1961. She then moved to London to train at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. 

Bennett’s theatre career began at the Savoy Theatre in 1994, appearing in She Loves Me and winning an Olivier Laurence Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. She later appeared in the Olivier award-winning show, Honk!, playing the role of Ida. In 2003 she was nominated for another Olivier Award for her performance in High Society.

Her success continued in her 2005 performance as Irma Brookes in Sex, Chips and Rock ‘n’ Roll at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester. She returned to the West End in 2006 in the London production of *Les Miserables*, playing the role of Madame Thenardier. The following year she took on the role of Velma Von Tussle in the West End premiere of Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre, winning her second Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.

Bennett then played Judy Garland in End of the Rainbow, which premiered at Northmapton’s Royal Theatre and then was transferred to the West End. The show then transferred again, this time to Broadway in 2012, where she received a nomination for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Play.

As well as theatre, Bennett is also well known for her roles in television, namely her various roles in Casualty, Next of Kin, Joking Apart, Burn It and New Tricks. Her most known television role was as Sharon Gaskell in Coronation Street from 1982 to 1999, filming 173 episodes.

In 2016, Bennett returned to the West End, playing Laura Henderson in *Mrs. Henderson Presents* at the Noel Coward Theatre. Bennett was nominated for Best Actress in a Musical at the Olivier Awards, but the show didn't enjoy critical success, running for just four months. She then played Carlotta in *Follies* at the National Theatre, alongside Imelda Staunton.

In 2023, Bennett will play J. B. Biggley in How to Succeed Without Really Trying at Southwark Playhouse Borough.