Elizabeth Keates is a British actress[1], born on 12 June in Otley, West Yorkshire. She was educated at Benton Park School and after A-Levels Elizabeth left Leeds to study at The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA) drama school in London. Since then her theatre credits have incuded performances at the Old Vic and the Stephen Joseph. Elizabeth achieved critical acclaim for her role as Ophelia at the Dukes Theatre Lancaster.[2]
After graduating from ALRA, Elizabeth set up LK Productions Theatre Company, which produced 5 annual touring productions, employing over 30 actors.
Alongside her role as Artistic Director of LK Productions, Elizabeth continued working as an actress; for the BBC on programs such as Slave Island, (the story of the African Burial Ground) Chariot Queen, in which she played the title role, Blood of the Vikings[3] and Meet the Ancestors - Bones in a Barnyard.[4]It was on the filming of this BBC programme that Elizabeth met her husband, actor Mark Rawlings, the couple now have a daughter, Willow Darcie, born February 2010.
Film work includes Boudica (Indigo Films L.A) and the award winning film 'The Tomb Robbery Papyrus: notes of a past',[5]opening in London on 17 April 2011. Elizabeth's name can be found in the records held at the British Film Catalogue for her work with White Lyon Films.
Keates recently starred in the York Theatre Royal production of The Railway Children[6] (The Mike Kenny (writer) adaptation) playing opposite Marshall Lancaster in the role of Mrs Perks.[7] This was performed live at Waterloo International railway station, and the production won an Olivier Award for 'Best Entertainment' in 2011.[8] Elizabeth had previously worked with director Damian Cruden at York Theatre Royal in Pygmalion.[9]
In July 2011 Elizabeth reprised her role as Mrs Perks in The Railway Children, this time playing opposite Marcus Brigstocke.