Courtney Bowman
Birth date1 February 1995 (age 31)
Birth placeBoston, Lincolnshire, England
Alma materGuildford School of Acting
OccupationActress · singer
Years active2016–present

Courtney Bowman (born 1 February 1995) is an English stage actress and singer.[1] She originated the role of Fatimah in Everybody's Talking About Jamie at the Crucible and Apollo Theatre.[2] She played Anne Boleyn in Six at the Arts Theatre, Lyric Theatre and Vaudeville Theatre[3] and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.[4] Bowman is currently starring as Lauren in the UK & European Tour of Kinky Boots.[5]

On television, she appears in the CBeebies revival of Big Cook, Little Cook (2022) as Little Cook Small.[6]

Early life

Bowman was born and raised in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. She is dual-heritage, being half Cape Verdean and describes herself as Afro-European.[7] Bowman attended Boston High School from eleven to eighteen.[8] She then went on to train at the Guildford School of Acting for three years until she graduated in 2016.[9] Bowman also performed at the 10th annual Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year competition held at the Novello Theatre on 15 May 2016,[10] she won the award and £1,000 after performing “Me and My Town” from Anyone Can Whistle and “The Driving Lesson” from Heart of Winter by Tim Connor.[11]

Career

Bowman performed at both Josh Groban on Stage in 2015 as a chorister and at Sam Bailey's 2016 concert Sam Bailey: In Concert as a soloist.[1]

She is currently a client of Belfield & Ward Talent Agency.[12]

In November 2016, Bowman was announced as part of the original cast of Everybody's Talking About Jamie playing at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield during its original string of performances the following year.[13] It was announced in late-June 2017 that Bowman would return in the same role for its West End transfer in late 2017 following its successful run in Sheffield.[14]

Whilst performing the role of Fatimah in Everybody's Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre, a professionally filmed version of the musical, featuring Bowman, was broadcast into more than 600 cinemas worldwide.[15] It was initially administered by entertainment event cinema distributor More 2 Screen on 5 July 2018,[16] while encore screenings took place on 29 January and 13 June 2019.[17][18]

In June 2019, it was announced via Pearson Casting, that alongside Danielle Steers, Bowman would join the cast of Six on 15 October 2019.[19]

From 2019 to 2021, Bowman played Anne Boleyn as part of the principal cast of the West End production of Six. Bowman returned to Six when it opened at the Lyric Theatre after having closed for the COVID-19 pandemic. From late September 2021, she moved to the Vaudeville Theatre where she would complete her Six run; her final performance took place on 14 November 2021.[20]

Bowman performed a solo concert at Pizza Express, Holborn on 15 March 2020[21] and a socially distanced recorded concert at the Arts Theatre on 7 September 2020.[22] She also appeared in two drive-in concerts,[23] a collaborative concert at the Turbine Theatre within the Battersea Power Station complex, and a charity concert at the Actor's Church, Covent Garden.[24] In April 2021, Bowman portrayed Princess Badroulbadour in an online production of Disenchanted!, produced by stream.theatre.[25]

In mid-February 2022, it was announced Bowman would star in a 50 episode revival series of the pre-school cookery show Big Cook, Little Cook as Little Cook Small on CBeebies,[26] airing daily from 28 February 2022.[27] In March 2022, it was announced exclusively via WhatsOnStage that Bowman would portray the leading role of Elle Woods in the revival of Legally Blonde at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.[4] In an interview with The Independent she recounts how the production is distinct from other iterations of the musical, citing subtle differences to the script and lyrics in order for the production to align itself with the present day.[8] She also starred in a revival concert version of Kinky Boots at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in August 2022, portraying the role of Lauren.[28] In late-September it was revealed Bowman would be attending the first-ever MusicalCon fan convention taking place at London's ExCel Centre on 22–23 October 2022.[29] It was announced in October 2022 via the Olivier Awards social channels, that Bowman would host the annual UK Theatre Awards at the Guildhall, London that same month on 23 October 2022.[30]

It was announced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions in late-October 2022, that Bowman would portray the supporting role of Kit de Luca in the West End production of Pretty Woman: The Musical playing at the Savoy Theatre from mid-November 2022.[31]

Bowman hosted the 2023 WhatsOnStage Awards alongside Laurie Kynaston and her Legally Blonde co-star Billy Luke Nevers on 12 February 2023 at the Prince of Wales Theatre.[32] That evening, she also won the first gender-neutral WhatsOnStage Award for Best Performer in a Musical for her performance as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.[33] In her speech, she thanked her mother, best friend and cast of Legally Blonde.

In September 2023, it was announced Courtney would star in Canterbury's annual pantomime, a production of Aladdin, playing at the Marlowe Theatre as the Spirit of the Ring.[34] This ran from November 2023 to January 2024, and earnt Bowman a nomination for 'Best Magical Being' at The Pantomime Awards, in association with Stagecoach.[35]

In April 2024, Courtney took part in the 10th anniversary concert of the musical Cool Rider at The London Palladium, adapted from the 1982 film Grease 2, and portrayed the role of Sharon.[36]

It was announced in September 2024 that Courtney would portray the role of Lauren in Kinky Boots on the UK[37] and European Tour.[38] A role she had previously performed for one night only at a concert presentation of the musical at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.[39] This production transferred to the West End at the London Coliseum from March to July 2026 with Bowman reprising her role.[40]

Stage

YearProductionRoleVenueRef
2016The Wind in the WillowsHorse/EnsembleTheatre Royal, Plymouth / UK Tour[41]
2017BlondelMarthaUnion Theatre, London[42]
2017-2019Everybody's Talking About JamieFatimah / Cover Pritti PashaCrucible Theatre / Apollo Theatre[2]
2019-2021SixAnne BoleynArts Theatre / Lyric Theatre / Vaudeville Theatre[3]
2022Legally BlondeElle WoodsRegent's Park Open Air Theatre[4]
2022–2023Pretty WomanKit De LucaSavoy Theatre[31]
2023–2024AladdinSpirit of the RingMarlowe Theatre[34]
2024Closer To HeavenShell ChristianThe Turbine Theatre[43]
2025-2026Kinky BootsLaurenUK & European Tour / London Coliseum[44]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleBroadcasting ChannelRef
2018Olivier Awards 2018FatimaITV[45]
Children In Need 2018BBC One[46]
2019Musical Sing-a-Long 2019AVROTROS[47]
2021Musicals: The Greatest ShowAnne BoleynBBC One[48]
This MorningITV[49]
2022Big Cook, Little CookLittle Cook SmallCBeebies[6]
2023EastEndersYasminBBC One[50]

Radio

YearTitleRoleRadio StationRef
2020WhatsOnStage Awards 2020 with Elaine Paige and Paddy O’ConnellHerselfBBC Radio 2[51]
Magic With The Musicals LIVEAnne BoleynMagic FM[52]
2021Musicals: The Greatest ShowBBC Radio 2[48]

Podcast

YearTitleEpisodeRolePresenterRef
2020The Queendom Podcast20HerselfJosh Mitchell[53]
2021Now Or Nevers1Billy Luke Nevers[54]
2022In The Frame6 (Season 7)Andrew Tomlins[55]
2023The Mayor of Musical Theatre3Ian Bowkett[56]
Robbie's Backstage Bants59Robbie Davies[57]
2024Call to Stage (formerly Your 5 Minute Call)15Amber Davies[58]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2016The Stephen Sondheim Society Mercury Musical DevelopmentsStudent Performer of the Year[59]
2022Black British Theatre AwardsBest Female Actor in a MusicalLegally Blonde[60]
BroadwayWorld UK AwardsBest Leading Performer in a New Production of a Musical[61]
WhatsOnStage AwardsBest Performer in a Musical[62]
2024The Pantomime AwardsBest Magical BeingAladdin[35]

References

  1. ^ "Courtney Bowman - Spotlight Portfolio". Spotlight
  2. ^ "Courtney Bowman". Everybody's Talking About Jamie. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  3. ^ "Six: The Musical! - Cast - Courtney Bowman". Six The Musical
  4. ^ "Legally Blonde at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre announces lead casting | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. 16 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  5. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Courtney Bowman Will Join Johannes Radebe and Dan Partridge in New U.K. and Ireland Tour of Kinky Boots". Playbill
  6. ^ Darvill, Josh (2022-02-18). "Big Cook, Little Cook returns to CBeebies with revamped series". TellyMix. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  7. ^ Lewis, Isobel (2022-05-12). "Legally Blonde's Courtney Bowman: 'Blonde isn't just a hair colour – it's a feeling'". The Independent. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
  8. ^ "A star of stage and screen! Courtney Bowman was a student of Dance Krazy in Bennington, Lincolnshire where she studied dancing, acting and singing. West End performer Courtney Bowman is coming home as Everybody's Talking About Jamie set to be beamed into cinemas across the UK... including Boston". www.bostonstandard.co.uk. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  9. ^ "Graduates of 2016 | GSA - Guildford School of Acting". www.gsauk.org. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  10. ^ "Courtney Bowman wins 10th annual Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year". LondonTheatre1. 2016-05-15. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  11. ^ "Young actress wins top student award". www.bostonstandard.co.uk. 29 May 2016. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  12. ^ "Belfield & Ward Talent Agency - Courtney Bowman". Belfield & Ward Talent Agency. Archived 11 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine.
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  15. ^ "More2Screen - Global entertainment for local cinemas". More2Screen. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
  16. ^ "A star of stage and screen! West End performer Courtney Bowman is coming home as Everybody's Talking About Jamie set to be beamed into cinemas across the UK... including Boston". www.bostonstandard.co.uk. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
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  21. ^ "Pizza Express Live". www.pizzaexpresslive.com. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
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  23. ^ BWW News Desk. "West End Musical Drive-In Announce New Dates and Lineup for September". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
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  27. ^ "CBeebies - Big Cook Little Cook - Next on". BBC. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
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  30. ^ "Olivier Awards on Instagram: "Omigod you guys, look who's presenting the #UKTAwards on 23 October. The awards will be taking over @olivierawards Instagram on that date so be sure to follow along to see who wins!"". Instagram. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
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  34. ^ Jade, Kayleigh (2023-08-25). "Marlowe Theatre's Aladdin 2023 panto cast and tickets for festive show". Stageberry. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  35. ^ ACJackson (2024-05-02). "The UK Pantomime Association announces the nominees for The Pantomime Awards 2024 in association with Stagecoach". The UK Pantomime Association. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  36. ^ "Cool Rider: 10th Anniversary Concert". Cool Rider. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
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  38. ^ "Kinky Boots announces casting for final tour stops". 2025-07-24. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  39. ^ "Full Kinky Boots cast and extra date at Theatre Royal Drury Lane announced". 2022-07-01. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  40. ^ "Pride Theatre Guide – WhatsOnStage.com". 2024-05-10. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
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  42. ^ "FIRST LOOK: Tim Rice's Blondel at the Union Theatre". British Theatre. 2017-06-22. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  43. ^ "Closer to Heaven". The Turbine Theatre. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  44. ^ "Courtney Bowman". Kinky Boots. Retrieved 2025-01-18.
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  47. ^ "Everybody's Talking About Jamie - And You Don't Even Know It". YouTube/AVROTROS. 25 August 2019. Archived 25 August 2019 at the Wayback Machine.
  48. ^ "Stars take to the stage as Musicals: The Greatest Show is announced for BBC Radio 2 and BBC One". www.bbc.co.uk. Archived 12 January 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
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  50. ^ "EastEnders - 22/12/2023". BBC iPlayer. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  51. ^ "WhatsOnStage Awards 2020". YouTube/BBC Radio. March 2020. Archived 2 February 2021 at the Wayback Machine.
  52. ^ "Six the musical: get the lowdown on the Queens rocking the West End". Magic at the Musicals. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  53. ^ "The Queendom Podcast - A SIX: The Musical Podcast on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  54. ^ "Episode 1 - Courtney Bowman - Now or Nevers". Spotify. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  55. ^ "In The Frame: Theatre Interviews from West End Frame: S7 Ep6: Courtney Bowman, Lauren in Kinky Boots & Elle Woods in Legally Blonde on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  56. ^ "The Mayor of Musical Theatre: Courtney Bowman on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  57. ^ "Backstage Bants with Courtney Bowman", 6 May 2023, retrieved 2023-05-06
  58. ^ Your 5 Minute Call with Amber Davies (2024-05-15). Courtney Bowman on Being Elle Woods & On-Stage Confessions | Your 5 Minute Call with Amber Davies. Retrieved 2024-05-15. – via YouTube.
  59. ^ "GSA student wins Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year award | GSA - Guildford School of Acting". gsauk.org. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
  60. ^ Thomas, Sophie (14 September 2022). "2022 Black British Theatre Awards: Nominees announced". London Theatre. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  61. ^ "Best Leading Performer in a New Production of a Musical | BroadwayWorld UK". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
  62. ^ "Nominations in full: the 23rd Annual WhatsOnStage Awards | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-09.