Comedian and actor Josie Lawrence has a significant theatre, musical, radio and TV career. Her first job after leaving drama school was The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist (1983) at the Half Moon Theatre on Mile End Road, where she later played in Moll Flanders (1986) and Poppy (1988). Josie was also the wardrobe assistant in the Half Moon production of Dracula (1984), starring Daniel Day Lewis and Peter Capaldi. Other stage work includes numerous roles at the Royal National Theatre, Mrs Anna in The King and I (London Palladium) and Katharine in The Taming of the Shrew (RSC), for which she received the Dame Peggy Ashcroft award for Best Actress. Josie’s TV work includes Humans, You Have Been Watching, At Home With The Kennedy’s, Jonathan Creek and nine series of Whose Line Is It Anyway? Since 1985 Josie has been a member of The Comedy Store Players based at London’s famous Comedy Store. In 2016 Josie created the female improv group The Glenda J Collective.
Josie became a patron of Half Moon Theatre in autumn 2016.
“I am proud and honoured to be a patron of Half Moon. Half Moon Theatre was where it all began for me and I have a very special connection to the company demonstrating how important it is to play theatre among the young”
Actor, Josie Lawrence talks about her first ever professional theatre job and the profound impact it had upon her life. She describes how in The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist she had to learn DIY skills.
Josie Lawrence talks about the musical Poppy and a dressing room theft which led to a particularly funny incident on stage.
Josie Lawrence shares her experience of maintaining the wardrobe during Dracula, with Daniel Day Lewis. Interviewed by Toni Tsaera.