Debbie Kurup

Debbie Kurup (born 3 July 1979) is an English actress. Kurup was educated at the Edmonton County School in the London Borough of Enfield [1] and later trained at the North London Dance Studio.[2]

Career

Kurup starred as Jack in the Hackney Empire's production of Jack and the Beanstalk alongside Clive Rowe from November 2015.[3] Also in 2015 she played the role of Reno Sweeney in Stage Entertainment's production of Anything Goes (UK/Ireland Tour) for which she received a MTA nomination for Best Actress. She also received outstanding reviews: The Sunday Times writes: "The show belongs to Kurup's Reno, a cool wisecracking customer and a hot gospel singer: the evening builds to the euphoric release of her show stopper, "Blow, Gabriel Blow". " Susannah Clapp of The Guardian wrote: "Kurup, is the star - and a gloriously varied one. She belts out her numbers (she has all the biggest) and soars. She is full of jagged little gestures. Anything Goes should make her name".[4] Theatre critic Mark Lawson's top 10 Theatre productions of 2014 included Anything Goes; "Debbie Kurup suggesting superstardom in her delivery of the title number and others".[5] Alfred Hickling of the Guardian wrote; "Debbie Kurup is without doubt the heart, soul and lungs of the production in the role of nightclub chanteuse Reno Sweeney, whose delivery of the least pious spiritual ever written Blow, Gabriel Blow is sufficient to give the devil hot sweats".[6] Dominic Maxwell for The Times writes: "Evans's large scale production hits the right note as soon as it introduces us to Debbie Kurup who is dazzling as Reno, giving her an ideal slinky self aware vitality".

Prior to this, she played Nicki Marron in the World Premiere of The Bodyguard at the Adelphi Theatre, London, (2013). Kurup was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical and Best Supporting Actress in a musical at the Whatsonstage.com Awards of 2013, for her role as Nicki Marron in The Bodyguard [7] and as Best actress in a supporting role in a musical at the BroadwayWorld.comUK awards. Rachel Halliburton for Time Out writes: "Debbie Kurup who plays the star's put upon sister Nicki- whose voice swoops effortlessly from velvety low notes to diamond brilliance". Michael Billington for The Guardian writes: "Debbie Kurup is so skittishly beguiling and the superstar's sibling- I kept wondering why on earth the bodyguard didn't run off with her.' The Independent writes: "Debbie Kurup's splendid Nicki gives [ Heather ] Headley a total run for her money." The Times: "Heartbreakingly charismatic"

Kurup has also appeared in several theatre productions, including Chicago as Velma Kelly between January and April 2006 at the Adelphi Theatre, London and she reprised the same role in 2011 at the Cambridge Theatre. DeeDee in Ben Elton's musical Tonight's The Night at the Victoria Palace. Mimi in Rent UK Tour and in the West End at the Prince of Wales Theatre. Carmen in Fame (musical) for the UK tour and Consuela/Anita in West Side Story at the Prince of Wales Theatre. In September 2007 she starred in new musical I Love You Because at the Landor Theatre, Clapham, London as Diana Bingley, receiving critical acclaim. She also played the role of KT in Sister Act, at the London Palladium and was first understudy to leading role Deloris. Kurup appeared as a soloist in the Chess In Concert Company for two nights at the Royal Albert Hall.

Recording career

Kurup features on the original London cast soundtracks of Tonight's The Night, Sister Act and Chess in Concert recorded live at The Royal Albert Hall.[8]


Personal life

Kurup and Jason Pennycooke have a daughter named Saffron. Both appeared in the BBC One and BBC Three series, He's Having A Baby.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Edmonton County School pupils Retrieved 18 July 2009
  2. ↑ The North London Dance Studio Retrieved 18 July 2009
  3. ↑ Hackney Empire-Jack and the Beanstalk Retrieved 31 July 2015
  4. ↑ Anything Goes review Retrieved 31 July 2015 Retrieved 31 July 2015
  5. ↑ Mark Lawson top theatre shows of 2014 Retrieved 31 July 2015
  6. ↑ Alfred Hickling review Retrieved 31 July 2015
  7. ↑ What's On results Retrieved 19 February 2013
  8. ↑ Debbie Kurup's discography Retrieved 31 July 2015
  9. ↑ IMDB He's having a baby Retrieved 31 July 2015

External links


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