{{Short description|Northern Irish singer|bot=PearBOT 5}} {{use British English|date=May 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}} {{Infobox person | name = Niamh Perry | image = | caption = | birth_name = Niamh Perry | birth_date = | birth_place = Bangor, County Down, UK | other_names = | occupation = Singer | years_active = 2008–present | spouse = | children = | awards = }}
'''Niamh Perry''' is a Northern Irish singer who is best known for playing Fleck in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical ''Love Never Dies''. She came to prominence when she competed as one of the finalists in the BBC talent show-themed television series ''I'd Do Anything'' in 2008.<ref name="BBC-NANCYSNIAMH">{{cite news | title = Nancy Contestants – Niamh |publisher=BBC News | date =22 March 2008| url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/contestants/nancy/niamh.shtml| accessdate =26 April 2008}}</ref>
==Early life== Born in Bangor, County Down, Perry attended Our Lady and St. Patrick's College, Knock.<ref name="Knock739539">{{cite news | title = Niamh reaches 8 in the search for NANCY | publisher=Our Lady and St. Patrick's College, Knock| date = 19 April 2008| url = http://www.knock.co.uk/ItemDetail.aspx?id=64a4addb-9d08-458f-b2fc-739539feb7db&mid=1601 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111005182405/http://www.knock.co.uk/ItemDetail.aspx?id=64a4addb-9d08-458f-b2fc-739539feb7db&mid=1601 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 5 October 2011 | accessdate = 26 April 2008}}</ref>
In 2007, she achieved a Distinction in her Grade eight classical singing examination, for which she won the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) Outstanding Achievement Award for Contribution to the Arts<ref name="Knock023230922834">{{cite news | title = SEELB Outstanding Achievement Awards 2007 | publisher=Our Lady and St. Patrick's College, Knock| year =2007| url =http://www.knock.co.uk/ItemDetail.aspx?id=841526d9-9468-4d4c-b7d3-023230922834&mid=1601| accessdate =26 April 2008}}</ref> She was a member of Music Theatre for Youth (MT4UTH) from when the company was founded in 2005 and she was also a member of the MT4UTH Showcase group, Footlighters. She performed with MT4UTH in productions of ''Sweet Charity'', in which she played the lead role of Charity,<ref name="acni080520">{{cite news| title = Youth Arts Gallery – Music Theatre 4 Youth| publisher=Arts Council of Northern Ireland| date = 20 May 2008| url = http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/highlights/youtharts/gallery/2008/May%202008.htm | accessdate = 14 September 2008}}</ref> ''Oliver!'', ''Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'', ''Guys and Dolls'' and ''West Side Story''.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} She also sang a solo at the re-opening of the Grand Opera House in Belfast.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/niamh-perry-a-superstar-is-born-28445460.html|title=Niamh Perry: A superstar is born|work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk|access-date=2019-02-04|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
In February 2008, Perry took part in an NSPCC campaign encouraging adults to call the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline if they had concerns about a child's welfare.<ref name="CT3466573">{{cite news | title = 'Talk to us', says NSPCC |work=Community Telegraph | date = 26 February 2008| url = http://www.thect.co.uk/north-down/news/article3466573.ece | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121203003316/http://www.thect.co.uk/north-down/news/article3466573.ece | url-status = dead | archive-date = 3 December 2012 | accessdate = 26 April 2008}}</ref>
==Singing career== In March 2008, Perry was announced as one of the final 12 contestants in the BBC1 programme ''I'd Do Anything'', which premiered on 15 March 2008 and aimed to find a performer to play Nancy in a West End revival of the musical ''Oliver!''. Perry was eliminated from the show in week eight <ref name="BBC54971">{{cite news| title = Reviewing the Situation: Week Eight |publisher=BBC News | date =17 May 2008| url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/oliver/news/2008/05/17/54971.shtml | accessdate =22 May 2008}}</ref> but has since gone on to have a successful career in musical theatre.
Perry played the lead role of Belle in the musical ''Only the Brave'', which had its world premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe on 31 July 2008 at the George Square theatre and ran until 25 August.<ref name="wos207">{{cite news | last = Paddock | first = Terri | title = Reality TV's Keith & Niamh Head Brave New Musical | publisher=whatsonstage.com | date = 19 June 2008| url = http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821213887949| accessdate = 14 September 2008}}</ref><ref name="scotsman4406793">{{cite news | last = Apter | first = Kelly | title = Musical & Opera Review: Only The Brave |work=The Scotsman |location=UK | date = 20 August 2008| url = http://living.scotsman.com/edinburghfestivalfringe/Musical-amp-Opera-Review-Only.4406793.jp | accessdate = 14 September 2008}}</ref> On 13 September 2008 she performed alongside fellow ''I'd Do Anything'' finalist Rachel Tucker at the ''Proms in the Park'', held at Belfast City Hall as part of the nationwide celebration of the BBC Last Night of the Proms.<ref name="newsletter4488959">{{cite news| title = Singers tune up for Proms | publisher=The News Letter | date = 12 September 2008| url = http://www.newsletter.co.uk/entertainment/Singers-tune-up-for-Proms.4488959.jp | accessdate = 14 September 2008}}</ref><ref name="uo606">{{cite news | title = BBC Proms in the Park | publisher = Ulster Orchestra | url = http://www.ulster-orchestra.org.uk/concert/item.php?a=606 | accessdate = 30 August 2008 | archive-date = 22 February 2025 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250222071050/http://www.ulster-orchestra.org.uk/concert/item.php?a=606 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Perry was a featured vocalist with the BBC Concert Orchestra on the BBC Radio 2 programme ''Friday Night is Music Night'' in October 2008.<ref name="gba-brind">{{cite news | title = Matthew Brind | publisher=Gavin Barker Associates Ltd | url = http://www.gavinbarkerassociates.co.uk/creatives/matthew-brind.htm | accessdate = 18 November 2008}}</ref>
On 16 November 2008, Perry sang at St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London at a fundraising and awareness raising event for Save the Children. She was the joint lead vocalist with opera singer Mark Stone as they sang the premiere performance of "The Cry, a requiem for a lost child".<ref name="stcuk6711">{{cite news|title=Events – The Cry: A Requiem for the Lost Child |publisher=Save the Children |date=16 November 2008 |url=http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/en/48_6711.htm |accessdate=18 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120101515/http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/en/48_6711.htm |archivedate=20 November 2008 }}</ref>
She appeared in pantomime at the Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne, East Sussex from 12 December 2008 to 11 January 2009 in ''Show White and the Seven Dwarfs'' playing the lead role of Snow White alongside Stefan Booth.<ref name="eastbourne1363">{{cite news | title = Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | website=Eastbournetheatres.co.uk | url = http://www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/What's_On/show.asp?showID=1363 | accessdate = 30 August 2008}}</ref>
In May 2009, Andrew Lloyd Webber revealed on an episode of 'Friday Night with Jonathan Ross' that Perry would be singing one of the roles on the Original Cast Recording for ''Love Never Dies'', the sequel to Phantom of the Opera, describing her as "wonderful".<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006m99d One Programmes – Friday Night with Jonathan Ross]. BBC (18 July 2010). Retrieved on 18 November 2011.</ref>
On Monday 15 June 2009, Niamh began playing the lead role of Sophie Sheridan in ''Mamma Mia!'' The Musical at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London, with Sally Ann Triplett as Donna.<ref>George R Vaughan [http://womentalking.co.uk/features/feature-834.htm Mamma's New Bride]. Womentalking.co.uk. 8 Jul 2009</ref>
On 19 March 2011 she was the wedding singer for the BBC Three live musical drama Frankenstein's Wedding.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://corsetscraftsandcupcakes.blogspot.com/2011/03/i-was-guest-at-frankensteins.html|title=corsets, crafts and cupcakes: I Was A Guest At Frankenstein's Wedding...Live In Leeds|website=Corsetscraftsandcupcakes.blogspot.com|date=20 March 2011|accessdate=30 July 2020}}</ref>
In 2012, Perry gained positive reviews for her portrayal of Kim in the Boy George musical ''Taboo''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thepublicreviews.com/taboo-brixton-club-house-london/ |title=The Public Reviews » Taboo – Brixton Club House, London |website=www.thepublicreviews.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105081522/http://www.thepublicreviews.com/taboo-brixton-club-house-london/ |archive-date=5 November 2012 |url-status=usurped}}</ref>
Perry went on to impress as Johanna Barker in ''Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'' at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and then at Royal Exchange, Manchester.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/10352324/Sweeney-Todd-West-Yorkshire-Playhouse-Leeds.html|title=Sweeney Todd, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds|first=Dominic|last=Cavendish|date=4 October 2013|accessdate=30 July 2020|website=Telegraph.co.uk}}</ref>
In February 2014, it was announced that Perry had been selected to lead the cast of the revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber musical ''The Beautiful Game'' when it returned to London.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/niamh-perry-to-lead-the-cast-of-the-beautiful-game-revival |title=Niamh Perry to lead the cast of the Beautiful Game revival | News | the Stage |website=www.thestage.co.uk |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305023008/https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2014/niamh-perry-lead-cast-beautiful-game-revival/ |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> She went on to receive much critical acclaim for her portrayal of Mary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/reviews/the-beautiful-game-union-theatre_34140.html|title=The Beautiful Game (Union Theatre) | WhatsOnStage|website=Whatsonstage.com|accessdate=30 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thegizzlereview.com/2014/04/the-beautiful-game-union-theatre.html|title=The Beautiful Game @ The Union Theatre|website=Thegizzlereview.com|accessdate=30 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://musicaltheatrereview.com/niamh-perry-playing-beautiful-game/#.Vfu2i_NViko|title=Niamh Perry Playing The Beautiful Game – Interview|website=Musicaltheatrereview.com|accessdate=30 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-beautiful-game-union-theatre-london/ |title=The Beautiful Game – Union Theatre, London | the Public Reviews |website=www.thepublicreviews.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716204321/http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-beautiful-game-union-theatre-london/ |archive-date=16 July 2014 |url-status=usurped}}</ref>
==Thomas & Friends== {{BLP unreferenced section|date=June 2020}} Perry was confirmed as the voice of Dash by Joel Beckford. She performed a festive Wombles classic "Wombling Merry Christmas" together with Joel Beckford, Jessie Buckley, Jon Moses and the new series narrator Laura Whitmore, who did the narrating interlude.
==Filmography== ===Television=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2008 || ''I'd Do Anything'' || Herself || |- | 2008 || ''BBC Last Night of the Proms'' || Herself || |- | 2010 || ''Frankenstein's Wedding'' || The Wedding Singer || |- | 2013 || ''Thomas & Friends'' || Dash || Voice |}
===Theatre Credits=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Theatre ! Location |- | 2005 || ''Oliver!'' || Ensemble || MT4UTH || London |- | 2006 || ''Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'' || Ensemble || MT4UTH || London |- | 2006 || ''Guys & Dolls'' || Ensemble || MT4UTH || London |- | 2007 || ''West Side Story'' || Ensemble || MT4UTH || London |- | 2007 || ''Sweet Charity'' || Charity || MT4UTH || London |- | 2008 || ''Only The Brave'' || Belle || George Square Theatre || Edinburgh Fringe Festival |- | 2008-09 || ''Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'' || Snow White || Devonshire Park Theatre || Eastbourne |- | 2009 || ''Love Never Dies'' || Fleck || Adelphi Theatre || West End |- | 2009-10 || ''Mamma Mia'' || Sophie Sheridan || Prince of Wales Theatre || West End |- | 2010-11 || ''Lee Mead Concert Tour'' || Herself || {{n/a}} || UK National Tour |- | 2011-12 || ''The Little Prince'' Musical || The Little Prince || Lyric Theatre || Belfast |- | 2012 || ''A Song Cycle for Soho'' || Herself || Soho Theatre || Off-West End |- | 2012 || ''Taboo'' || Kim || Brixton Clubhouse || Off-West End |- | 2013 || ''Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'' || Johanna || West Yorkshire Playhouse / Royal Exchange || West Yorkshire / Manchester |- | 2014 || ''The Beautiful Game'' || Mary || The Union Theatre || London |- | 2014-16 || ''Mamma Mia'' || Sophie Sheridan || {{n/a}} || International Tour |- | 2017 || ''Once'' || Girl || Gaiety Theatre || Dublin |- | 2018 || ''Whisper House'' || Female Ghost || The Other Palace || Off-West End |- | 2019 || ''Exposure'' || Pandora || St James's Theatre || Off-West End |- | 2022 || ''Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'' || Delphini Diggory || Palace Theatre || West End |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links == *{{IMDb name|id=2976466|name=Niamh Perry}}
{{Andrew Lloyd Webber musical revival search}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Perry, Niamh}} Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:People educated at Our Lady and St. Patrick's College, Knock Category:21st-century women singers from Northern Ireland Category:People from Bangor, County Down Category:Musicians from County Down