Zizi Strallen

Summary

Sylphide Charity Vaigncourt-Strallen (born 1 November 1990), known professionally as Zizi Strallen, is a British actress, singer and dancer best known for playing Mary Poppins in the Cameron Mackintosh theatrical production of Mary Poppins.[3]

Zizi Strallen
Born
Sylphide Charity Vaigncourt-Strallen

(1990-11-01) 1 November 1990 (age 33)[1]
London, England
EducationThe Arts Educational Schools London[2]
Alma materLondon Studio Centre
Occupation(s)Actress, singer, dancer
Years active1995–present
Relatives

Personal life edit

She has three sisters, Scarlett Strallen, Summer Strallen and Saskia Strallen, all of whom are actresses. Her sister Scarlett also previously played Mary Poppins during the Broadway, West End and Sydney production of Mary Poppins.[4] She is the daughter of Sandy Strallen and Cherida Langford.[5] She is also the niece of Broadway and television actress Bonnie Langford.[6]

Career edit

Strallen appeared Off West End in the Menier Chocolate Factory production of Merrily We Roll Along as Meg Kincaid in 2013.[7]

In 2015, Strallen performed the role of Lana in Matthew Bourne's The Car Man, for which she won Outstanding Female Performance (Modern) at the National Dance Awards.[8]

Strallen played the role of Young Phyllis in Follies in the West End at the National Theatre from September 2017 to November 2017.[9][10]

She appeared as Fran in the musical Strictly Ballroom in the West End in March 2018 at the Piccadilly Theatre. The Standard reviewer wrote: "The best news, by far, is Strallen, who exudes a lightness and brightness even when a mere face in the dance studio crowd early on. Her acting and dancing is impeccable..."[11][12]

Strallen is starred in the title role in the West End revival of Mary Poppins, which premiered in autumn of 2019 at the Prince Edward Theatre.[13] She had previously played the role of Mary Poppins in the UK and Ireland tour of the musical starting in October 2015.[14]

Strallen appeared in the 2019 fantasy film Cats as Tantomile.[15]

Strallen also played the role of "Q" in the Chichester Festival Theatre production of Rock Follies in August 2023.

Most recently she’s appeared in concert productions of Sunset Boulevard as Betty (2021) and is set to appear in a concert of Oklahoma! as Laurey (2024).[16]

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
1995 The Snow Queen Polly Voice
1997 The Ugly Duckling Little Rabbit
2013 Merrily We Roll Along Meg Kincaid Filmed live performance
2015 Cinderella Ball Guest Uncredited
2016 The Car Man Lana Filmed live performance
2017 National Theatre Live: Follies Young Phyllis
2019 Cats Tantomile

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
1996 Bramwell Molly Marsham Episode #2.3
1996 The Prince and the Pauper Margery Episode #1.4
2001 Victoria & Albert Princess Vicky Miniseries
2002 Dinotopia Little Girl
2015 The Royal Variety Performance 2015 Mary Poppins Television special
2022 Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway Mary Poppins Episode #18.2

Stage edit

Year Title Role Notes
2015-17 Mary Poppins Mary Poppins UK Tour
2019-2023 West End

Awards and nominations edit

Year Award Category Work Result Ref
2020 WhatsOnStage Awards Mary Poppins Best Actress in a Musical Nominated [17]
Laurence Olivier Awards Best Actress in a Musical Nominated [18]

References edit

  1. ^ "Zizi Strallen". IMDb. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  2. ^ "Mary Poppins star Zizi Strallen tells of family's showbiz roots". Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  3. ^ “How Mary Poppins has changed for the stage“. BBC News (15 November 2019). Retrieved 18 November 2019
  4. ^ "Zizi Strallen to play Mary Poppins on tour". The Stage. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  5. ^ "Zizi Strallen is following in footsteps of parents who both appeared in original Cats". Herald Express. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  6. ^ Bonnie Langford to return to Broadway - Daily Telegraph
  7. ^ Merrily We Roll Along menierchocolatefactory.com, retrieved 27 December 2018
  8. ^ "National Dance Awards are announced". Sadler's Wells Blog. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  9. ^ Follies broadwayworld.com, retrieved 26 December 2018
  10. ^ Billington, Michael. " 'Follies' review – Sondheim's showbiz stunner returns in breathtaking style" The Guardian, 6 September 2017
  11. ^ Mountford, Fiona. " 'Strictly Ballroom' Review" Standard, 25 April 2018
  12. ^ Wolf, Matt. "London Star Zizi Strallen on Kicking Up Her Heels in 'Strictly Ballroom', Giving Away Her Eyelashes & More" broadway.com, 19 March 2018
  13. ^ Hemley, Matthew. "Zizi Strallen and Charlie Stemp to star in 'Mary Poppins' revival" The Stage, 14 September 2018
  14. ^ "Mary Poppins Cast Announced" curveonline.co.uk, retrieved 26 December 2018
  15. ^ "Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift and James Corden to star in Cats musical film | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  16. ^ Zizi Strallen AboutTheArtists
  17. ^ "20th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards winners include Andrew Scott, Claire Foy, Come From Away and Six". Whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  18. ^ "Olivier Awards 2020 with Mastercard - Theatre's Biggest Night". Olivier Awards. Retrieved 30 March 2021.

External links edit

  • Zizi Strallen at IMDb