Aimie Atkinson | |
|---|---|
 Atkinson performing atHampton Court Palacein 2022 | |
| Born | Aimie Allen-Atkinson 5 June 1987 Stevenage,England |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Website | www |
Aimie Allen-Atkinson(born 5 June 1987)[2]is an English stage actress and singer.[3]She is known for portraying the role ofKatherine Howardin British comedy musicalSixon the original UK tour and in the West End production at theArts Theatre,Lyric TheatreandVaudeville Theatre,portraying Vivian Ward in the West End production ofPrettyWoman,as well as forming part of pop girl group SVN.
Early life
editAtkinson was born to parents Faith Allen and Tom Atkinson in Stevenage, England. Her father played part-time in a rock band, which encouraged her to begin singing from a young age.[4]Whilst studying atCollenswood Schoolin Stevenage, Atkinson was part of the Fusion Performing Arts group and took part in many of their productions.[4]Having studied to GCSE level, and then worked as an admin assistant in a music publishing company.[5]She also ran a franchise for the Stagecraft school in Stevenage.[6]
Career
editAfter agreeing with a friend whilst studying at theArts Educational Schoolthat both should apply to theBBC Radio 2Voice of Musical Theatre competition,[7]Atkinson was told that she could only apply for the amateur competition. After winning that, she joined a final competition against the final professional contestants – those with at least five years of stage experience – and also won that.[8]
Aged 19, Atkinson left Arts Educational and became a full-time stage actress, taking her first professional job inHoward Goodall'sDays of Hopeat the King's Head Theatre.[7]She then took on various parts, before starting an intensive course in musical theatre at theRoyal Academy of Music.After completing two months in RAM and one month inArts Educational Schools,she left after two months to join the UK touring production ofZorro,playing the part of Luisa.[7]Subsequently, landing a part in a musical as a sassy 40-year-old singer,[4]the producer of the show then asked Atkinson to audition for the role of Daniela in the musicalIn The Heights,which she subsequently played at the King's Cross Theatre.[6]She has since playedPrincess JasmineinAladdinalongsidePriscilla Presley,Serena inLegally Blondeat Kilworth House, andSnow WhiteoppositeJerry HallatRichmond Theatre.She has also originated the role ofKatherine Howardin theWest Endproduction ofSix.[9]
On 13 February 2020, Atkinson began playing the role of Vivian Ward in the West End production ofPretty Woman: The MusicalalongsideDanny Macat thePiccadilly Theatre.[10]The show later officially opened on 2 March 2020,[11]but closed only two weeks later due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[12]Atkinson returned to the show for its reopening at theSavoy Theatreon 8 July 2021.[13]The show closed in June 2023 and announced a UK and Ireland tour.[14]
In May 2023 it was announced thatDeath Note: The Musicalwill have its English premiere at theLondon Palladium[15]in August. Cast included Atkinson as Rem,Adam Pascalas Ryuk,Frances Mayli McCannas Misa,Dean John-Wilsonas L andJoaquin Pedro Valdesas Light.[16]The show is due to transfer to theLyric Theatrein September 2023 for six additional performances[17]withGeorgie Maguire,Jessica Lee and Carl Man taking on the roles of Ryuk, Misa and alternate L respectively.[18]
In February 2024, she was selected to compete in the final ofUna voce per San Marino 2024,the Sammarinese national selection for theEurovision Song Contest 2024,with the song "A Dare for Love".[19][20]
In September 2024,Playbillannounced thatFigaro: An Original Musicalwill have its West End Concert premiere at theLondon Palladium.Cast included Atkinson as Lucia, Cayleigh Capaldi as Sienna, andJon Robynsas Figaro.
Recording and music
editAtkinson released her debut studio albumStep Inside of Lovewith Jay Records in 2017. As a member of the girl groupGoldstone,she competed inEurovision: You Decide 2018with the song "I Feel The Love". Atkinson's recordings include:
- Step Inside Love– debut solo album
- I Feel The Love–BBC
- 100 Greatest Musicals– recorded atAbbey Road Studios
- Postman and The Poet
- Kurt Weill'sOne Touch of Venus
- ‘Six The Musical’ Studio Cast recording
In 2021, Atkinson formed a seven piece girl group called SVN with six other members of the original West End cast ofSix,Millie O'Connell,Natalie Paris,Alexia McIntosh,Jarnéia Richard-Noel,Maiya Quansah-Breed,andGrace Mouat.[21][22]In 2022, the group released a number of singles such as "Woman"[23]and "Free"[21]
On 18 June 2021, Atkinson released the single "Pretty Woman", a contemporary reimagining of Roy Orbison's Pretty Woman.[24]
Personal life
editAtkinson has dated both women and men.[25][26]
Her charity work includes a 24 Hour Musical Marathon live stream forSave the Children.[27]
Discography
edit| Year | Song | Album | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | – | Step Inside Love | Aimie Atkinson | With additional features |
| 2018 | "I Feel the Love" | – | Goldstone | Entry forEurovision: You Decide 2018 |
| – | Six: The Musical (Studio Cast Recording) | SiX (Studio Cast) | With additional features | |
| 2021 | "Pretty Woman" | – | Aimie Atkinson | Cover ofRoy Orbison'sPretty Woman |
| "QUEEN" | – | SVN | Cover ofJessie J | |
| "Stars" | Stars | SVN | – | |
| 2022 | "Woman" | Woman | SVN | – |
| "I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You" | Loving You | Josh Piterman featuring Aimie Atkinson | – | |
| "FREE" | FREE | SVN | – | |
| "BOSS" | BOSS | SVN | – | |
| "At Christmas" | At Christmas | SVN | Christmas Special | |
| 2024 | "A Dare For Love" | Aimie Atkinson | Entry forUna Voce per San Marino 2024 |
Concert performances
edit- ‘'Fridays Night is Music Night’' on many occasions.
- Barbara Windsor's 70th BirthdayBBC Radio 2live fromHackney Empire.
- Great British Musical (Perfect Pitch) – What's On Stage Awards.
- Stephen Sondheim's 70th Birthday Concert.
Filmography
edit- Nikki Martin –Doctors,BBC.
- Anna Karenina –American ExpressCommercial.
- Voice overforThompson Holidays.
- Snow White I-dents – Christmas Special,GMTV.
- Snow White Documentary 'Seven Dwarfs',Channel 4,
- Backing vocalistsfor 'The Michael Ball Show' and 'Britain's Got Talent',ITV.
- BBC Wales ‘Search for a Musical Theatre Star’ and subsequently ‘A Musical Star is Born’.
Audio
edit| Year | Project | Episode | Role | Streaming App | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | The Sheep Chronicles III: The Jack and the Beans Talk | – | Chilli Bean | Spotify | [28] |
| 2021 | The Painkiller Podcast | #17 Fib by Annie Williams | Jamie | Spotify | [29] |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Work | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | BBC Radio 2 | Voice of Musical Theatre Award | Won | |
| 2019 | Six | Olivier Awards | Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Nominated |
References
edit- ^"See Who's Starring in London Concert World Premiere: Figaro: An Original Musical".Playbill.
- ^"Aimie Atkinson | West End Performers | London Theatre Direct".londontheatredirect.Retrieved19 September2022.
- ^"Actor Profile".mandy.25 November 2018.
- ^abc"Q&A: The BBC Radio 2 Voice of Musical Theatre, Aimie Atkinson".Hertfordshire Life Magazine. 15 February 2010.Retrieved3 March2020.
- ^"Alumni | Theatre School London | Susi Earnshaw School".Retrieved26 September2023.
- ^abAshlee Brown (28 January 2017)."Want My Job? Aimie Atkinson, West End actor".Voice magazine.Retrieved3 March2020.
- ^abcEmily Healey-Lynham (January 2019)."Interview with Aimie Atkinson".The Bespoke Black Book.Retrieved3 March2020.
- ^"New Talent Success Stories: Aimie Atkinson".BBC New Talents.19 September 2006.
- ^"Six the Musical".sixthemusical.Retrieved14 March2019.
- ^Gans, Andrew (11 December 2019)."Aimie Atkinson and Danny Mac Will Head Cast of London'sPretty Woman: The Musical".Playbill.Retrieved15 December2019.
- ^Perks, Daniel (3 March 2020)."Pretty Woman with Aimie Atkinson and Danny Mac in the West End: opening night photos".WhatsOnStage.Retrieved4 March2020.
- ^Sullivan, Lindsay (3 April 2020)."Ambassador Theatre Group Suspends London Performances Through May 31 Due to COVID-19".Broadway.Retrieved11 July2021.
- ^Gans, Andrew (23 March 2021)."Pretty Woman: The Musical Sets July Return to the West End".Playbill.Retrieved11 July2021.
- ^"Pretty Woman sets West End closing date and announces new lead casting".8 March 2023.Retrieved2 July2023.
- ^"Exclusive: Death Note: The Musical to play two concerts at The London Palladium".24 May 2023.Retrieved26 August2023.
- ^"Death Note The Musical – final casting revealed".24 July 2023.Retrieved26 August2023.
- ^"Death Note The Musical in Concert confirms new West End performances".28 July 2023.Retrieved26 August2023.
- ^"Death Note musical announces full casting for Lyric Theatre run".21 August 2023.Retrieved26 August2023.
- ^"San Marino 2024: 'Una Voce Per San Marino' names released".Eurovision.tv.EBU.19 February 2024.Retrieved19 February2024.
- ^Atkinson, Aimie [@aimieatkinson] (19 February 2024)."Well I can't believe I'm writing this but a song @mrsteveanderson @terryronald and myself have put together is going through to the final of @unavocepersanmarino and I'll be performing it on @sanmarinortv this Saturday 24th!".Retrieved20 February2024– viaInstagram.
- ^ab"Meet brand-new girl group SVN".Official Charts.
- ^"SVN".SVN.Retrieved16 May2021.
- ^"After the musical Six comes SVN – meet the group redefining girl power in 2022".The Big Issue.28 April 2022.Retrieved16 April2023.
- ^"West End star Aimie Atkinson partners with Absolute for debut solo single and EP".The Independent Music Insider.Retrieved19 September2022.
- ^"INTEVRIEW: Aimie Atkinson, currently in the cast of SIX at the Arts Theatre".Pocket Size Theatre.6 June 2019.Retrieved29 September2019.
- ^Paskett, Joe (26 February 2020)."Aimie Atkinson interview: 'Our Pretty Woman is about someone not willing to settle for less than she's worth'".Evening Standard.Retrieved2 April2023.
- ^Daniels, Nicholas Ephram Ryan (28 May 2020)."Aimie Atkinson to perform 24-hour musical marathon on Insta-live for Save the Children".London Theatre Direct.Retrieved3 June2020.
- ^The Sheep Chronicles III: Jack & the Beans Talk,18 October 2018,retrieved23 December2022
- ^#17 Fib by Annie Williams – performed by Aimie Atkinson,10 March 2021,retrieved23 December2022