Oliver Tompsett
Encyclopedia
Oliver Tompsett is a British stage actor and singer best known for his portrayal of Fiyero in the West End
production of the musical Wicked
.
; "Tommy" in The Who's Tommy
and "Tony" in West Side Story.
Tompsett made his professional and West End
debut in October 2002 in the Madness/Tim Firth musical Our House
, directed by Matthew Warchus, at London’s Cambridge Theatre
. He is featured on the DVD of the production, recorded for BBC3 in 2003, as the character Callum and as a member of the ensemble.
His subsequent London stage appearances include: Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ Mamma Mia!
, directed by Phyllida Lloyd, at the Prince of Wales Theatre
; Notes From New York at the Trafalgar Studios and Christmas In New York at the Apollo Theatre, both directed by David Randall; 'Caliph' in Kismet
, directed by Tiffany Watt-Smith, at the Arcola Theatre and "Harry Lytton" in Richard Stirling
’s Over My Shoulder: The Story of Jessie Matthews, directed by Stewart Nicholls, at Wyndhams Theatre.
Immediately prior to joining the original cast of Wicked, in September 2006, he appeared in Trevor Nunn’s production of Peter Shaffer’s The Royal Hunt of the Sun
at the National Theatre
. He has twice appeared on the Royal Variety Performance, in 2002 and 2006.
He recently finished playing the role of Fiyero in the West End musical Wicked
, which opened September 27, 2006. He is a member of the original cast having previously played in the ensemble and serving as the understudy for Fiyero, before replacing Adam Garcia
on July 16, 2007. He played his final performance on March 27, 2010 after three and a half years with the production. He was succeeded by Lewis Bradley
who played the role until May 2010, when Lee Mead
took over.
Tompsett will originate the role of Drew in the West End production of Rock of Ages
.
, an album of 20 new recordings by 26 West End stars, released in October 2008 on Dress Circle Records. He can be heard on the recent Alexander S. Bermange CD singing "More than a Memory" and more.
In late 2008 he released his debut album entitled "Sentimental Heart", with all of the songs written, performed and produced by Tompsett.
Tompsett also recorded the song 'We Are Not Alone' on Terry Pratchett's 'Only You Can Save Mankind', which was released on November 23, 2009.
In May 2010, Tompsett announced on his Official Twitter account that due to the success of his début album, he had signed a record deal with Major Record Label Warner Brothers
. His second album will be released in 2011.
Director: Matthew Warchus
Theatre: Cambridge Theatre, London
(Professional stage debut and West End debut)
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Theatre: Prince of Wales Theatre, London
Director: Tiffany Watt-Smith
Theatre: Arcola Theatre, London
Director: David Randall
Theatre: Trafalgar Studios, London
Director: Joyce Branagh
Theatre: Palace Theatre, Watford
Director: David Randall
Theatre: Apollo Theatre, London
Director: Stewart Nicholls
Theatre: Wyndham’s Theatre, London
Director: Trevor Nunn
Theatre: National Theatre, London
Director: Joe Mantello
Theatre: Apollo Victoria Theatre, London
Duration: 3.5 years
Director: Kristin Hanggi
Theatre: Shaftesbury Theatre, London
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
production of the musical Wicked
Wicked (musical)
Wicked is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It is based on the Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West , a parallel novel of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard...
.
Biography
He trained at Arts Educational School, and during his final year he played: "Cinderella’s Prince" in Into the WoodsInto the Woods
Into the Woods is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. It debuted in San Diego at the Old Globe Theatre in 1986, and premiered on Broadway in 1987. Bernadette Peters' performance as the Witch and Joanna Gleason's portrayal of the Baker's Wife brought acclaim...
; "Tommy" in The Who's Tommy
The Who's Tommy
The Who's Tommy is a rock musical by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff based on The Who's 1969 double album rock opera Tommy, also by Pete Townshend, with additional material by John Entwistle, Keith Moon and Sonny Boy Williamson.-Productions:...
and "Tony" in West Side Story.
Tompsett made his professional and West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
debut in October 2002 in the Madness/Tim Firth musical Our House
Our House (musical)
Our House is a musical with music and lyrics from Madness and the book by Tim Firth. The show featured songs from the ska/pop band Madness, and was named after one of their popular hit singles, "Our House"...
, directed by Matthew Warchus, at London’s Cambridge Theatre
Cambridge Theatre
The Cambridge Theatre is a West End theatre, on a corner site in Earlham Street facing Seven Dials, in the London Borough of Camden, built in 1929-30. It was designed by Wimperis, Simpson and Guthrie; interior partly by Serge Chermayeff, with interior bronze friezes by sculptor Anthony Gibbons...
. He is featured on the DVD of the production, recorded for BBC3 in 2003, as the character Callum and as a member of the ensemble.
His subsequent London stage appearances include: Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ Mamma Mia!
Mamma Mia!
Mamma Mia! is a stage musical written by British playwright Catherine Johnson, based on the songs of ABBA, composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, former members of the band. Although the title of the musical is taken from the group's 1975 chart-topper "Mamma Mia", the plot is fictional, not...
, directed by Phyllida Lloyd, at the Prince of Wales Theatre
Prince of Wales Theatre
The Prince of Wales Theatre is a West End theatre on Coventry Street, near Leicester Square in the City of Westminster. It was established in 1884 and rebuilt in 1937, and extensively refurbished in 2004 by Sir Cameron Mackintosh, its current owner...
; Notes From New York at the Trafalgar Studios and Christmas In New York at the Apollo Theatre, both directed by David Randall; 'Caliph' in Kismet
Kismet
Kismet may refer to:* Fate or Destiny in Turkish and Hindi-Urdu, a predetermined course of events, from Persian qesmat, from Arabic qisma, lot, from qasama, to divide, allot...
, directed by Tiffany Watt-Smith, at the Arcola Theatre and "Harry Lytton" in Richard Stirling
Richard Stirling (British actor and writer)
Richard Stirling is a British actor and writer, who has appeared on film, television and the West End and American stage. He drew attention for his 2009 play Seven Other Children, penned as a response to Caryl Churchill's controversial play Seven Jewish Children.-Books:* Julie Andrews: An Intimate...
’s Over My Shoulder: The Story of Jessie Matthews, directed by Stewart Nicholls, at Wyndhams Theatre.
Immediately prior to joining the original cast of Wicked, in September 2006, he appeared in Trevor Nunn’s production of Peter Shaffer’s The Royal Hunt of the Sun
The Royal Hunt of the Sun
The Royal Hunt of the Sun is a 1964 play by Peter Shaffer that portrays the destruction of the Inca empire by conquistador Francisco Pizarro.-Premiere:...
at the National Theatre
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
. He has twice appeared on the Royal Variety Performance, in 2002 and 2006.
He recently finished playing the role of Fiyero in the West End musical Wicked
Wicked (musical)
Wicked is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It is based on the Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West , a parallel novel of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard...
, which opened September 27, 2006. He is a member of the original cast having previously played in the ensemble and serving as the understudy for Fiyero, before replacing Adam Garcia
Adam Garcia
Adam Garcia is an Australian actor and tap dancer of partial Colombian descent .-Career:...
on July 16, 2007. He played his final performance on March 27, 2010 after three and a half years with the production. He was succeeded by Lewis Bradley
Lewis Bradley
Lewis Bradley is a British musical theatre actor, who came third place in the BBC reality talent show Any Dream Will Do. He was later chosen by Andrew Lloyd Webber to understudy the winning role of Joseph....
who played the role until May 2010, when Lee Mead
Lee Mead
Lee Stephen Mead is an English musical theatre actor, best known for winning the title role in the 2007 West End revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat through the BBC reality TV casting show Any Dream Will Do...
took over.
Tompsett will originate the role of Drew in the West End production of Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages (musical)
Rock of Ages is a rock/jukebox musical, with a book by Chris D'Arienzo, built around classic rock hits from the 1980s, especially from the famous glam metal bands of the decade. The musical features songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison and Asia, among...
.
Recordings
In 2008 he recorded a song for the CD Act One - Songs From The Musicals Of Alexander S. BermangeAlexander S. Bermange
Alexander S. Bermange is an English musical theatre composer and lyricist. He has often served as musical director and pianist for his own productions. He is also a regular broadcaster on UK radio.-Career:...
, an album of 20 new recordings by 26 West End stars, released in October 2008 on Dress Circle Records. He can be heard on the recent Alexander S. Bermange CD singing "More than a Memory" and more.
In late 2008 he released his debut album entitled "Sentimental Heart", with all of the songs written, performed and produced by Tompsett.
Tompsett also recorded the song 'We Are Not Alone' on Terry Pratchett's 'Only You Can Save Mankind', which was released on November 23, 2009.
In May 2010, Tompsett announced on his Official Twitter account that due to the success of his début album, he had signed a record deal with Major Record Label Warner Brothers
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
. His second album will be released in 2011.
Stage work
- Our HouseOur House (musical)Our House is a musical with music and lyrics from Madness and the book by Tim Firth. The show featured songs from the ska/pop band Madness, and was named after one of their popular hit singles, "Our House"...
- Ensemble / Callum
Director: Matthew Warchus
Theatre: Cambridge Theatre, London
(Professional stage debut and West End debut)
- Mamma Mia!Mamma Mia!Mamma Mia! is a stage musical written by British playwright Catherine Johnson, based on the songs of ABBA, composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, former members of the band. Although the title of the musical is taken from the group's 1975 chart-topper "Mamma Mia", the plot is fictional, not...
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Phyllida Lloyd
Phyllida Lloyd CBE is an English director, best known for her work in theatre and as the director of the most financially successful British film ever released, Mamma Mia!.-Career:...
Theatre: Prince of Wales Theatre, London
- KismetKismet (musical)Kismet is a musical with lyrics and musical adaptation by Robert Wright and George Forrest, adapted from the music of Alexander Borodin, and a book by Charles Lederer and Luther Davis, based on Kismet, the 1911 play by Edward Knoblock...
Director: Tiffany Watt-Smith
Theatre: Arcola Theatre, London
- Notes From New YorkNotes From New YorkNotes From New York is a successful London based concert series, created primarily to showcase the output of contemporary musical theatre writers.- Creators and Collaborators :...
Director: David Randall
Theatre: Trafalgar Studios, London
- CinderellaCinderella"Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper" is a folk tale embodying a myth-element of unjust oppression/triumphant reward. Thousands of variants are known throughout the world. The title character is a young woman living in unfortunate circumstances that are suddenly changed to remarkable fortune...
Director: Joyce Branagh
Theatre: Palace Theatre, Watford
- Christmas In New York
Director: David Randall
Theatre: Apollo Theatre, London
- Over My Shoulder
Director: Stewart Nicholls
Theatre: Wyndham’s Theatre, London
- The Royal Hunt of the SunThe Royal Hunt of the SunThe Royal Hunt of the Sun is a 1964 play by Peter Shaffer that portrays the destruction of the Inca empire by conquistador Francisco Pizarro.-Premiere:...
Director: Trevor Nunn
Trevor Nunn
Sir Trevor Robert Nunn, CBE is an English theatre, film and television director. Nunn has been the Artistic Director for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre, and, currently, the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. He has directed musicals and dramas for the stage, as well as opera...
Theatre: National Theatre, London
- WickedWicked (musical)Wicked is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It is based on the Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West , a parallel novel of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard...
- Fiyero
Director: Joe Mantello
Joe Mantello
Joseph Mantello is an American actor and director best known for his work on Broadway productions of Wicked, Take Me Out and Assassins, as well as earlier in his career being one of the original Broadway cast of Angels in America...
Theatre: Apollo Victoria Theatre, London
Duration: 3.5 years
- Rock of AgesRock of Ages (musical)Rock of Ages is a rock/jukebox musical, with a book by Chris D'Arienzo, built around classic rock hits from the 1980s, especially from the famous glam metal bands of the decade. The musical features songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison and Asia, among...
- Drew
Director: Kristin Hanggi
Theatre: Shaftesbury Theatre, London