Danielle Hope
Born (1992-04-26) 26 April 1992
Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Years active2010–present

Danielle Hope (born 26 April 1992) is an English actress and singer. She was the winner of the BBC talent contest Over The Rainbow and as a result played the part of Dorothy in the Andrew Lloyd Webber production of The Wizard of Oz, which began performances at the London Palladium in the West End in February 2011. Following this role, she went on to play the role of Éponine in Les Misérables in the West End, starting in June 2012.[1]

Background

Hope lived in Urmston, Greater Manchester, and attended Knutsford High School in Cheshire, concentrating in drama and dance.[2][3] Hope appeared in many of her school's musical theatre productions, playing such roles as Carmen in the musical Fame, the narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Maria in West Side Story.[4] She also appeared in We Will Rock You alongside Olivier Award nominee, Charlotte Wakefield.

She left her part-time job as a waitress to focus on her A-level studies in Drama and Dance, and a BTEC National Award Musical Theatre.[4][5] She has also studied dance privately and performed at dance festivals, including the BBC African Dance Project at Bridgewater Hall.[6]

Career

Over the Rainbow

While still at school, Hope was chosen from over 9,000 girls to be in the final ten and perform live, on the BBC reality TV show Over The Rainbow, for the chance to play Dorothy in the forthcoming West End musical adaptation of The Wizard of Oz.[7] Hope's Dorothy colour was red, and she believed that she would portray a "fiery character, with a strong opinion and mind".[5]

She was popular with the judges from the beginning of the live shows. After her performance of "Just a Little Girl" in week two, John Partridge said: "No one is going to look over you after that performance because it was your best to date. It was committed, it was intelligent and an extremely sophisticated performance for a girl your age". Andrew Lloyd Webber agreed and said "Danielle, you are really fantastic. You are a very, very strong contender".[8] Nevertheless, Hope found herself in the bottom two with Dani Rayner the following week. After her performance of "Maybe This Time" from Cabaret, Lloyd Webber saved Hope.

In week six, having performed "On My Own" from Les Misérables, she received some criticism from the judges. Lloyd Webber suggested that she needed to learn how to disguise the break in her voice, and Charlotte Church agreed, saying that her top notes could get "a little bit shouty". Sheila Hancock agreed with Church, but was still full of praise, saying that she saw a similar "star quality" to that of Catherine Zeta-Jones.[3] In this sing-off, Hope competed against Jessica Robinson, who was the only remaining contestant not to have been in the bottom two. After performing "Take That Look Off Your Face" from Tell Me on a Sunday, Lloyd Webber once again saved Hope, stating that "Both of you are really terrific girls, but I am just thinking of Dorothy here, so I am going to save Danielle".[9]

Following the double eviction of Robinson and Jenny Douglas, the remaining contestants got the chance to go home for a day. Hope went back to her old school for the first time since the filming of the live shows began; there, her classmates greeted her with a hand-made yellow brick road, along with ruby slippers, and a Toto-style cuddly dog to make her feel at home.[9]

In week seven, Hope and Lauren Samuels performed a duet of the song "Popular" from Wicked, which was described as one of the highlights of the series. After the performance, Charlotte Church told host Graham Norton that she thought Lloyd Webber should "write a musical for just those two".[10] Towards the end of the show, Hope became the favourite to win with odds of 8/11, ahead of fellow contestants Sophie Evans at 15/8 and Lauren Samuels, whose odds slipped to 4/1 after appearing in the sing-off in the semi-finals shown on 16 May.[11]

The next week at the final, which aired on 22 May, Hope won the contest and the role of Dorothy.[2]

Solo performances

Solo song
Week one (3 April 2010) "Red" (Daniel Merriweather)[12]
Week two (10 April 2010) "Just a Little Girl" (Amy Studt)[13]
Week three (17 April 2010) "Could It Be Magic" (Barry Manilow)[14]
Week four (24 April 2010) "Cry Me a River" (Julie London)[15]
Week five (1 May 2010) "Mambo Italiano" (Rosemary Clooney)[16]
Week six (8 May 2010) "On My Own" (from Les Misérables)[17]
Week seven (semi-final) (15 May 2010) "When You Believe" (from The Prince of Egypt)[18]
Week eight (final) (22 May 2010) "76 Trombones" (from The Music Man)[19]

After Over the Rainbow

As the winner of Over the Rainbow, and only 18 years old, Hope played the role of Dorothy in the new London production of The Wizard of Oz. Previews commenced 7 February 2011, with the opening night on 1 March.[20][21] She starred alongside Michael Crawford in the title role, with Over the Rainbow runner-up Sophie Evans as the alternate Dorothy; performing the role on Tuesday evenings and during Hope's holidays and other unforeseen absences.[22][23][24] She won the 2011 BroadwayWorld UK Award for Best Leading Actress In a Musical[25] and was also nominated for the whatsonstage.com Theatergoers Choice Award for Best London Newcomer.[26] Hope played her final performance in the production on 5 February 2012, the same day that her co-star, Michael Crawford, left.[27] Evans succeeded her in the role. She then appeared as Éponine in the West End production of Les Misérables, having joined the cast on 18 June 2012.[28][29] In December 2012, she was nominated for the Whatsonstage.com Award for Best Takeover in a Role for her performance.[30] On 16 June 2013, Hope finished her run in the show and was replaced by Carrie Hope Fletcher.

It was announced on 7 January 2016 that Hope would return to the role of Éponine for a limited engagement from 15 February 2016 until 2 April 2016; taking over the role from Fletcher. On 2 April 2016, Hope finished her run in the show and was replaced by Eva Noblezada.[31]

Hope played the role of Snow White in the Birmingham Hippodrome's 2013/2014 Christmas pantomime of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, her pantomime debut. She starred alongside Over the Rainbow judge John Partridge.[32]

During May 2014, Hope played the role of Cathy in the two-hander musical The Last Five Years in a limited-season production which played in London and Brighton.[33]

Hope then joined the UK Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, playing the Narrator. She stayed with the tour from 23 July 2014 until 29 November 2014.[34]

Following this, Hope played the part of Maria from 15 January 2015 to 1 August 2015 on the 2015 UK Tour of The Sound of Music.[35] During this time, Hope also staged her first concert, Bring the Future Faster at 54Below in New York. A live recording was released as a CD and digital download.

Beginning 10 March 2017, Hope took on the part of Sandy in the UK Tour of Grease the Musical. Hope played her last performance on 29 January 2018 at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel.[36]

After Grease, Hope played the role of Sherrie in the UK tour of the jukebox musical Rock of Ages.[37] She played the role from September–November 2018 and was subsequently replaced by Jodie Steele.[38]

Hope reprised the role of Snow White for the London Palladium's production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs during the 2018/19 pantomime season.[39] It was announced in October 2019 that Hope would be returning to the West End, playing the role of Betty Haynes in a limited run of White Christmas at the Dominion Theatre.

Hope is currently starring in an off-Broadway production of Kinky Boots playing the role of Lauren, for a limited summer run.[40]

Theatre credits

Year Production Role Venue
2011-2012 The Wizard of Oz Dorothy Gale London Palladium
2012-2013 Les Misérables Eponine Queen's Theatre
2013-2014 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Snow White Birmingham Hippodrome
2014 The Last Five Years Cathy UK Tour
2014 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Narrator UK Tour
2015 The Sound of Music Maria von Trapp UK Tour
2015-16 Les Misérables Eponine Queen's Theatre
2017-2018 Grease Sandy Dumbrowski UK Tour
2018 Rock of Ages Sherrie UK Tour
2018-2019 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Snow White London Palladium
2019 White Christmas Betty Haynes Dominion Theatre
2022 Kinky Boots Lauren Stage 42 Theater
2023 Waterfall: A New Musical (2023 production)[41] Katherine Bingham Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre

Discography

Hope released a single of the song "Over the Rainbow" that was made available to download on 23 May 2010, with a physical single available to purchase from 31 May 2010. The CD single also features "The Wizard of Oz Medley" featuring Hope and fellow finalists Lauren Samuels and Sophie Evans, including the tracks "Follow the Yellow Brick Road", "We're Off to See the Wizard", "It Really Was No Miracle", "Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead", "The Merry Old Land of Oz" and "If I Only Had a Heart".[42] The single is a charity record, raising money for both the BBC Performing Arts Fund and Prostate UK.[43][44] Sales of the download single were good, with midweek charts for 26 May showing that the single had achieved a place in the UK top 20.[45] However, when the week's charts were revealed on Sunday 30 May, the single had entered the charts at number 29.[46]

Hope also features on the cast album for the 2011 The Wizard of Oz West End show, released 9 May 2011.[47][48]

References

  1. ↑ "Photo Flash: First Look at Michael Crawford in THE WIZARD OF OZ; Previews Begin!". Broadwayworld.com. 7 February 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Danielle Hope wins Over the Rainbow". The Daily Telegraph. London. 22 May 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  3. 1 2 "Danielle Hope reaches semi-final of BBC's 'Over the Rainbow' competition". Knutsford Guardian. 22 May 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  4. 1 2 "Hope for Danielle". The Knutsford Times. 30 March 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  5. 1 2 "BBC Over the Rainbow - Danielle". Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  6. ↑ "Over the Rainbow: the contestants". The Daily Telegraph. London. 27 March 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
  7. ↑ "Yellow Brick Road to Fame". Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  8. ↑ "Urmston teenager Danielle Hope is praised for performance on BBC's Over the Rainbow". Messengernewspapers.co.uk. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
  9. 1 2 "No place like home for Dorothy hopeful Danielle". Menmedia.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
  10. ↑ Davies, Serena (18 May 2010). "Over the Rainbow: putting the 'talent' into talent shows". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
  11. ↑ "Danielle favourite for 'Rainbow' final win". Digitalspy.co.uk. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
  12. ↑ "Danielle's Performance - Over the Rainbow - Episode 3 - BBC One". YouTube. 3 April 2010. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  13. ↑ "Danielle's Performance - Over the Rainbow - Episode 5 - BBC One". YouTube. 10 April 2010. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  14. ↑ "Danielle's Performance - Over the Rainbow - Episode 7 - BBC One". YouTube. 17 April 2010. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  15. ↑ "Danielle's Performance - Over the Rainbow - Episode 9 - BBC One". YouTube. 24 April 2010. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  16. ↑ "Danielle: Mambo Italiano - Over The Rainbow - Episode 11 - BBC One". YouTube. 1 May 2010. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  17. ↑ "Danielle's Performance - Over the Rainbow - Episode 13 - BBC One". YouTube. 8 May 2010. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  18. ↑ "Danielle's Performance - Over the Rainbow - Episode 15 - BBC One". YouTube. 15 May 2010. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  19. ↑ "Danielle Performs Seventy Six Trombones - Over The Rainbow - Episode 17 BBC One". YouTube. 22 May 2010. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  20. ↑
  21. ↑ "Listing at London Palladium", London-theatreland.co.uk, retrieved 18 December 2010
  22. ↑ Singh, Anita (24 September 2010). "Wizard role for Michael Crawford in new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical". Telegraph.co.uk. London. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  23. ↑ "We're off to see the Wizard – and it's Michael Crawford!". Andrewlloydwebber.com. 24 September 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  24. ↑ "Sophie Evans cast as alternate Dorothy". OfficialLondonTheatre.co.uk. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
  25. ↑ "2011 BWW UK Award Winners Announced! ROCK OF AGES, GHOST, WIZARD and PHANTOM All Win!". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  26. ↑ "Full List: 2012 Whatsonstage.com Award winners". Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  27. ↑ "Michael Crawford & Danielle Hope to Depart UK WIZARD OF OZ Feb. 5". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  28. ↑ "Danielle Hope Joins West End Cast of LES MISERABLES, June 18". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  29. ↑ Masters, Tim (19 June 2012). "Danielle Hope joins Les Mis cast". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  30. ↑ "Shortlists revealed for 2013 Whatsonstage.com Awards". Archived from the original on 11 December 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  31. ↑ Eva Noblezada, Danielle Hope & More Will Join Cast of West End's LES MISERABLES, Broadway World, Retrieved 7 January 2016
  32. ↑ Laws, Roz (6 December 2013). "Gok Wan stars in Birmingham Hippodrome's Christmas panto". BirminghamLive.co.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  33. ↑ "Danielle Hope Forum Fansite". daniellehopefansite.site40.net. Archived from the original on 21 May 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  34. ↑ "X Factor's Lloyd Daniels to join Danielle Hope in Joseph tour : Production News : The Stage". www.thestage.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  35. ↑ "Danielle Hope stars in Sound of Music tour | WhatsOnStage". Whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  36. ↑ BWW News Desk. "GREASE UK Tour Finds Its Pink Ladies and T-Birds; Full Cast Announced!". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  37. ↑ "Danielle Hope joins Rock of Ages UK tour | WhatsOnStage". Whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  38. ↑ "Danielle Hope and Sam Ferriday join Rock of Ages cast". www.thestage.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 June 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  39. ↑ Longman, Will. "Full cast joining Dawn French in Palladium panto Snow White announced". Londontheatre.co.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  40. ↑ Stewart, Zachary (7 June 2022). "Callum Francis and Danielle Hope cast in New York Kinky Boots". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  41. ↑ Josh Dela Cruz, Danielle Hope, and Jon Jon Briones Will Star in WATERFALL in Thailand, Broadway World, Retrieved 13 September 2023
  42. ↑ "Winning Dorothy to release 'Rainbow'". Digitalspy.co.uk. Retrieved 21 May 2010.
  43. ↑ "Prostate UK - Home page". Webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 11 July 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  44. ↑ "Danielle Hope ('Over the Rainbow')". Digitalspy.co.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  45. ↑ "Update: Dizzee, Eminem, Alicia, 'Glee'". Digitalspy.co.uk. Retrieved 21 May 2010.
  46. ↑ "BBC Radio One official chart". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
  47. ↑ "Danielle Hope - Over the Rainbow". 10 March 2011. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  48. ↑ "Wizard of Oz album released". DanielleHope.co.uk. 9 May 2011. Archived from the original on 11 September 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
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