WEST END STORY: Niamh Perry (I'd Do Anything)

At 17, Niamh Perry was one of the youngest girls to get through to the final 12 Nancys on I'd Do Anything. Born in Bangor, County Down, Niamh has always excelled on the music front, being an original member of the Music Theatre for Youth company, and gaining a Distinction in her Grade eight classical singing exam in 2007. She left school during her A-levels in order to move to London and compete in I'd Do Anything, an experience that she'll never forget or regret: "I have so many amazing memories from the show, I don't know where to start! Being told I was in the final 12 was the most incredible feeling; after all the hard work to get that far, it was such an exhilarating feeling, similar to the first live show. If I'm honest, the best memories are probably the silly ones!"

Pink-clad Nancy Niamh breezed through the first few weeks of the series, singing songs including 'The First Cut is the Deepest', 'Moon River' and 'Wind Beneath My Wings', all earning her high praise with the panel, being described by them as extraordinary, classy and captivating. However, in the fifth week of the competition, the vampy teenager found herself in her first sing-off following her performance of Amy Winehouse's 'Valerie'. She was saved by The Lord, sending fellow contestant Keisha Amponsa-Banson packing. Despite competing for the same role, all of the potential Nancys appeared to form a strong bond: "Being in a show with a wonderful group of girls who inspire you and support you, even in the heat of the competition, is an amazing thing. I wish I had videoed and taken more pictures of the funny rehearsals and the banter in the 'Nancy Mansion'. Incredible memories."

The following week placed Niamh firmly back in the game, as she sailed through Big Band Week with a strong performance of 'They Can't Take That Away From Me'. Yet week seven saw her back in the sing-off, this time accompanied by Ashley Russell, who was sent home after their rendition of 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina'. At the time, Niamh was unfazed by the pressure of such a public audition process: "Being judged in front of millions of people can never be an easy thing for anyone, but I think because I was young and quite inexperienced, I didn't realise the scale of the show and just how many people actually watched it. I'm one of those people who is very subdued and laid back, and it was actually through my family and friends that I realised how big a deal the show was. Everything our panel said was constructive, so it never felt like criticism."

The music of Evita had been her saving grace, but proved to be a fickle friend the following week, when she was back in the sing-off against Belfast-born Rachel Tucker, both girls battling for their place to the tune of 'Another Suitcase in Another Hall'. Unfortunately, it was third time unlucky for Niamh, and she was eliminated from the competition, though not without praise from The Lord: "I wouldn't be surprised if you were up for a major leading role when you're twenty".

Niamh hasn't yet hit 20, but has already done extremely well for herself. Within weeks of leaving the competition, she was appearing as Belle in the new war-time musical Only the Brave at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, opposite Any Dream Will Do finalist Keith Jack, an experience which she wouldn't have missed for anything: "It was my first professional job after I'd Do Anything, and still to this day, it was the best month of my life. The Fringe is an awesome opportunity for aspiring actors, or graduates straight out of college, or old pros to gather in one area of the country and enjoy 30 days of the arts from morning to night. It was an eye-opening experience for me to see what industry I was getting myself into! I learned a lot about the stamina needed to succeed in this world. I would recommend the Edinburgh Fringe to EVERYONE."

Niamh has since remained on the scene, starring as Snow White in panto in Eastbourne for the 2008/2009 season, performing at Proms in the Park at Belfast City Hall, singing for BBC Radio 2's Friday Night Is Music Night, and taking part in Andrew Lloyd Webber's premiere of act one of Love Never Dies at the 2008 Sydmonton Festival. In June 2009, Niamh took over the role of Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia! at the Prince of Wales Theatre. She has since moved on to create the role of Fleck in the world premiere of Love Never Dies, which opened in March this year, an achievement which she is very proud of: "It's incredible, I feel very privileged to be involved in such an important phenomenon within musical theatre. Being able to work for Andrew was the icing on the cake. A world premiere is enough, but being part of the sequel to one of the world's most successful musicals is so amazing. I don't think I realised how big a deal it was until we opened in February for previews and it was everywhere and everyone was talking about it. If the press night party is anything to go by, then it can't get any better than this!"

Niamh is also currently working on an album of her own music, which she describes as 'edgy pop'. To find out more about Niamh, check out her website or follow her on Twitter @NiamhPerry .

 

 

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