Josefina Gabrielle
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Josefina Gabrielle | |
|---|---|
| Born | Josefina Gabrielle Holmes October 1963 (age 61) London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, ballet dancer |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Spouse | Michael Praed (2014–present) |
Josefina Gabrielle Holmes, professionally known as Josefina Gabrielle (born October 1963), is a British actress and ballet dancer, best known for her performances in West End musicals and plays.
Theatrical career
Gabrielle was born in London in October 1963 to a Spanish father and an English mother. She trained at the
In 1992, she was part of the ensemble in Nicholas Hytner's acclaimed revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel. This production opened at the Royal National Theatre and transferred in 1993 to the Shaftesbury Theatre. Her other early roles include Iris in Fame at the Cambridge Theatre, Maggie in A Chorus Line at the Derby Playhouse and Cassie in a touring production of the same show, and Jenna in The Goodbye Girl at the Noël Coward Theatre.
She continued her association with Rodgers and Hammerstein in 1998 when she was chosen by director
Gabrielle's other roles include Dot/Maria in
In
In 2012, she toured the UK in the role of Anna Leonowens in a production of
In 2018, she returned to Chicago when the production returned to the West End, to the Phoenix, this time playing the role of Velma Kelly. She played opposite the Roxie Harts of Sarah Soetart, Alexandra Burke and Caroline Flack. In 2020, she played Madame Thenardier in Les Misérables when the ‘new’ version re-opened the refurbished Queen's Theatre under its new name of the Sondheim Theatre. She was performing this role as of October 2022.
Dramatic work
Gabrielle has appeared in various straight plays and comedies, including Noël Coward's Tonight at 8.30, a series of one act plays ( Red Peppers, The Astonished Heart, Family Album, Hands Across the Sea, Fumed Oak and Shadow Play ) at Minerva Theatre, Chichester opposite Alexander Hanson in 2006, The 39 Steps at the Criterion Theatre in 2007/08, The Murder Game at the King's Head Theatre in 2009, Park Avenue Cat at the Arts Theatre in 2011 and Ray Cooney's Two into One at the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2014. In 2017, she took over the role of Mavis in Maria Friedman's revival of Richard Harris' play Stepping Out at the Vaudeville Theatre.
Film and television
Gabrielle's on screen credits include:
- Miranda Hart
- Doctors
- Heartbeat as Debbie Bellamy/Black
- Born and Bred as Jacqueline Williamson
- Auf Wiedersehen, Pet as Ofelia
- Sunburn as Receptionist
- Oklahoma! as Laurey
- The 56th Annual Tony Awards as herself
- The Rosie O'Donnell Show as herself
Recordings
She can be heard on the London cast recordings of Oklahoma!, The Goodbye Girl, Fame and Carousel.
Awards and nominations
- Laurence Olivier Awards
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Best Actress in a Musical | Oklahoma! | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Sweet Charity | Nominated |
| 2014 | Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Merrily We Roll Along | Nominated |
- Clarence Derwent Awards Best Female in a Supporting Role
Sweet Charity (2011) (winner)
- Manchester Theatre Awards Best Actress in a Visiting Production
King and I (2012) (nominated)
- Astaire Awards - Best Female Dancer
Oklahoma! (2002) (nominated)
- Outer Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Actress in a Musical
Oklahoma! (2001-2002) (nominated)