Lauren’s journey from a small Welsh town to the bright lights of the West End is a testament to resilience, talent, and self-belief. A powerhouse performer and Olivier-nominated actress, she proves that humble beginnings can lead to extraordinary heights when passion becomes your purpose and perseverance your path.
Photographer: Garry Lake
Lauren, growing up in Port Talbot, what first made you believe a career on stage was truly possible for you?
I’ve loved being on stage for as long as I can remember but musical theatre wasn’t always where I saw myself. Coming from a working-class town and background, opportunities in the arts were limited but I’ve always been incredibly lucky to have a supportive family. They’ve always encouraged me to try new things and have allowed me to express myself in whatever I choose to do.
From the ages of 4-12, I was a freestyle disco dancer competing all over the country, including the iconic Blackpool Tower. At 11 years old, I won the title of ‘Champ of Champs’ at the West Coast Under-12 Championships and at that stage in my life, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
It was in my final year of Primary school where I was cast as Sandy in Grease the musical that I really started having an interest in singing. In my first year of Secondary school, I was given the opening vocal line in Fame the musical which definitely gave me a little confidence boost in my abilities and looking back now, it was a defining moment for me wanting to continue pursuing musical theatre.
Photographer: Zak Walton
I then went to Neath Port Talbot College, where I did a 3 year BTEC in Musical theatre and got to play an array of incredible roles varying from Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Eponine in Les Misérables to Eva Peron in Evita the Musical. In all honesty, I didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a West End star. I didn’t listen to tons of cast recordings and I couldn’t afford to go and see the big Musicals in London but I knew I loved performing and wanted to do more of it. In the second year, I was handed a brochure for Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, and I knew that’s where I wanted to go.
I auditioned for a handful of drama schools that year but I didn’t get in and I was gutted. The truth was, I was used to getting the roles I auditioned for or winning competitions I’d taken part in so this feeling of rejection was very new but very needed. It filled me with a determination I’d never felt before and I told myself I was going to get in the following year.
I went back home to Port Talbot, returned to my waitressing job at the local Chinese restaurant, saved as much money as I could so I could apply for my auditions and I practiced harder than ever. I re-auditioned for my top three schools and was accepted into Mountview with a Dance and Drama Award which was a dream come true.
I organized a fundraiser at the local Workmen’s Club, with the help of my family and talented friends and I headed off to London. Coming from a place where opportunities are scarce and money is tight, it can make your dreams feel out of reach.
The idea of leaving your small town to pursue something as bold as drama school can seem unachievable. But I learned that your circumstances do not define you. If you’ve got the passion, the drive, and the willingness to work, you can make it happen.
Many actors start with smaller roles. What kept you motivated to push forward until the bigger opportunities arrived?
I think there’s often a rush to become a star and land the ‘big roles’ straight out of training. Whilst it’s important to have big dreams as they keep us striving to grow, when you take on those sometimes overlooked roles or ensemble tracks, it teaches you so much about the craft, the industry, and yourself. It also builds a real sense of gratitude for what we get to do.
I’m genuinely thankful every day for the opportunities I’ve had over the last few years. There are thousands of incredibly talented people in this industry, and I vividly remember seeing cast announcements on WhatsOnStage, thinking, Imagine being one of those names one day.
I’ve loved every contract I’ve ever done and learned something from each experience which I’ve carried with me into my next job. From UK tours, 2nd covers, 1st covers and hardly ever getting to go on. It’s all important and it all serves a purpose. After building my CV through the years, I eventually found myself performing in some of the most prestigious venues I used dream of. It wasn’t until my sixth job that I landed my first leading role, and the feeling was absolutely euphoric because I’d worked so hard for it, which made it all the more meaningful.
One of my biggest inspirations for continually pushing forward in this industry has always been the desire to be a small beacon of hope for others who come from backgrounds like mine. People from humble beginnings with big dreams.
I want to show them that it is possible and that starting small is actually a superpower. You gain so much knowledge, resilience and perspective along the way. There’s no single right path into this industry, but the way I found my way into the theatre world has been exactly the right one for me.
Photographer: Pamela Raith
You’ve performed in powerhouse musicals like Six and Les Misérables. What’s been your most transformative role so far, and why?
Every role I’ve played has shaped me in some way, but playing Céline Dion in Titanique was a truly significant moment in my career. It marked my first West End leading role which is something I had been striving toward since drama school, I got to see my face on the front of a theatre, on posters, programs and even the London Underground which was such a surreal, pinch-me moment I’ll never forget.
The role truly tested me in every way. Vocally, physically, and mentally. The schedule alone with five show weekends was incredibly challenging but truthfully, what intimidated me most was the improvisation element that happens in the middle of the show.
It’s a short scene where Celine is essentially the puppeteer and Jack and Rose have to lip sync and physicalise everything she says. Initially, I was so excited by the idea of getting to do whatever I wanted and to make my friends do stupid things that made me laugh. Then reality hit and I started to question EVERYTHING! Will what I think is funny be funny to the audience? What if something doesn’t land? What if I dry on stage and can’t think of anything to say?
I had little to no experience with improv, and the more I dwelled, the more I started to question whether I should accept the role or not. After many conversations with my fiancé, I realised how much of a gift this opportunity was. Being given the freedom to play on stage is a rarity especially in musical theatre, so I looked at it as a chance to push myself out of my comfort zone and gain a new skill.
I grew to love that part of the show but it was a journey getting there. For the first few months, every morning and night after the show, my fiancé and I would throw improv ideas back and forth and we came up with a handful of ridiculous scenes that made us laugh, then I would workshop them with an audience and whatever landed stuck and that essentially became my blueprint.
This industry demands perseverance and grit. This role reminded me that I had both and I am truly proud of myself for that. That makes me cringe a bit to write, but it’s true! On top of all of the lessons and experience, to then be nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical was truly the greatest honour, and a moment that made all the hard work feel even more worthwhile.
Shifting from theatre to The Voice UK must have been a bold move. What gave you the courage to step onto that stage as yourself rather than in character?
In all honesty, doing The Voice was never on my radar but I got asked to audition during covid and was just so grateful to be presented with an opportunity to perform when the arts had been hit so hard. I didn’t have a live audience because of social distancing laws, so I had a bunch of tiny faces on screens on ITV’s back wall and the celebs on the four red chairs. It was a bit nerve wracking, I won’t lie but I was so thrilled to be on a stage representing the Musical Theatre community.
I think there can be an element of narrow-mindedness when it comes to MT performers and they’re capabilities. We’re not one trick ponies! We train for years, covering lots of different styles of singing and we know how to emotionally connect to a piece of music and bring it to life. A lot of us are inspired by and are heavily influenced by pop music so I wanted to be a representative of that. Singing on TV was a very different vibe to being in a theatre show for sure!
It felt like way more pressure knowing that I had one shot to get it right and when you’re so often used to having a character to hide behind, those moments where you have to be, just you, it can feel quite exposing. Another element you’re battling with, is knowing your performance is going to be put on the tele for millions people to see which is a really unique and slightly terrifying feeling.
Going on The Voice was an amazing experience, and to have had the chance to perform in such tricky times and to showcase my talent to a new and wider audience is something I will always be incredibly grateful for.
Photographer: Johan Persson
Awards and nominations celebrate your talent, but personally, which performance has felt like your proudest achievement?
When I was training in drama school, I dreamed of being in Les Misérables, as did just about every other musical theatre student on the planet. Over the years, I auditioned a handful of times but I never booked the job.
In 2022, an email came through inviting me to audition again but this time for the role of Fantine. I swore it would be my very last attempt because honestly, the drama school student inside me couldn’t stand the disappointment. I recorded my self-tape in a hotel conference room in Lanzarote, sent it off, and tried to put it out of my mind.
A few weeks later, I was at a train station on my way to a rehearsal for a gig when my agent called saying I was being called in to perform the material in front of Cameron Mackintosh which was of course, a dream come true. On my way to that audition, the heavens opened and I got caught in what can only be described as a torrential rain downpour. I was drenched to the bone and so of course, I felt like the world was ending. But thankfully by the grace of the rain gods, the very next day I got the call saying I was going to play Fantine in Les Misérables.
Thinking back to 16 year old Lauren playing Eponine in Neath Port Talbot college now getting to play Fantine in the professional production of Les Miserables was the most indescribable feeling. It represented the many years of hard work, sacrifice and dedication to my craft and this industry.
Even now, I have to pinch myself writing these words. Telling my family and friends was one of the most magical days and I still get teary when I think about it. I’m a believer that things happen for a reason and after years of auditioning, I finally booked the job and it couldn’t have happened at a more perfect time in my life. I truly loved every moment of my time with Les Misérables and it will forever have a huge piece of my heart. I also met my fiancé on this job so it doesn’t really get much better than that.
Stepping into the shoes of Lizzie Borden meant exploring a darker side of human nature. How do you leave such heavy characters behind at the end of the day?
It was a very different role for me but one of my favourites to play. The themes were incredibly dark so there was a lot of responsibility to take care of the material and portray it in a tasteful but impactful way. Vocally, it was a beast. Every song was an epic sing and the piece was very emotionally driven so it did take its toll on me by the end of every day. I’d try and get separation from the show as best I could.
I’d take myself for a walk or go for a nice brunch. I’d always voice rest through the morning into early afternoon and every evening after the show. A nice hot bat and some meditation definitely does the trick too.
It was a very special show and working at The Hope Mill Theatre was a joy. Joe and Will, who run the theatre, create such a wonderful working environment that it’s impossible to feel heavy even after doing a show such as Lizzie. I will always have a very special place in my heart for my Lizzie experience.
Photographer: Pamela Raith
In Titanique, you balance comedy with powerhouse vocals. What’s the secret to keeping both sharp without losing the heart of the show?
Titanique is essentially a love letter to Celine Dion. The show uses Celine’s brilliant sense of humour as an influence for its ‘kooky crazy’ nature and it was a big influence in the writing. It’s unapologetic JOY. It most certainly pushes boundaries with choice language and multiple innuendoes but it’s heightened comedy and it doesn’t shy away from that. Celine is loveable and so generous with her kindness, that’s where the heart comes from.
If you watch just one interview with Celine, you’ll see she doesn’t take herself seriously which the show’s writing reflects and yes, at times it gets quite close to the line. For example, a prop which finds its way into Celine’s hands regularly is an aubergine which is used in a rather suggestive way, something I imagine Celine would never do, but as I said, the show pushes boundaries and that was a very appealing hook for me wanting to do the job.
I like to think there are similarities with how Celine and I navigate through life in the sense that we can make fun of ourselves and we have a big heart with lots of love to give. We would often use the phrase ‘What would Celine do?’. 8 times out of 10 it answered everything we needed to know. There was no secret as such other than to just be, and feel unapologetically.
Fans see you shine on Instagram as well. How do you decide what parts of your life to share publicly while keeping some things just for yourself?
I’ve always been quite choosy about what I share online. I like to share things that I can celebrate with my followers. I know the majority of people that follow me have an interest in my career so I tend to have a very work based profile. Also, with my family and friends being back in Wales, It’s nice knowing they can stay up to date with what I’m up to and vice versa.
I’m not going to pretend that my life is as picturesque as I post and I guess people can find fault with that, but I believe we all have to do what’s right for ourselves in order to keep our peace. The internet can be a wonderful place but it can also be quite scary and so I post the things that make me happy and tend to talk about other life things with my close circle.
Theatre can be a tough space for women. What has been the most empowering lesson you’ve learned about owning your space on stage and off?
I think the confidence to truly own my space has come with experience. That said, there’s still a long way to go before females are treated equally. There’s a noticeable lack of women in spaces where real change could happen, especially in casting and producing.
It’s so important for women to be included in those key conversations, bringing fresh perspectives and insights that can transform decision making and balance the voices often missing in male driven environments. True progress will only happen when those voices are not just heard, but genuinely valued and included in shaping the creative process.
So yes, there’s a way to go but I have hope that change is coming.
Beyond the spotlight, what practices, whether fitness, mindfulness, or downtime rituals, help you protect your energy week after week?
As cliche as it sounds, I love long walks surrounded by nature. Nothing switches my mind off like walking through a forest or going down to the lake and watching wildlife for an hour or two. I’ll do that nearly every single day, even before a matinee and it sets me up so well for the day.
Meditation (which I should do more of) is incredible for finding clarity, especially when I’m in a job working through 8 show weeks. Also, long hot baths with salts (and a glass of red) are unmatched.
Photographer: Danny Kaan
Looking to the future, what kind of role, story, or artistic challenge excites you most that audiences haven’t seen from you yet?
There’s so much I want to do and so many different avenues I want to explore. I try to keep my mind very open to everything and don’t really have expectations. I find when I just allow the universe to do its thing I get presented with opportunities that were never on my radar but end up being the most exciting.
