Meredith Braun

Meredith Braun (born 1973) began her career as a child actor in her native New Zealand before relocating to the UK and acting in a number of West End musicals.

Meredith Braun
Born1973 (age 46–47)
Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand
GenresMusical theatre
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
Years active1989–present
LabelsStage Door Records
Websitemeredithbraun.co.uk

Early life

As a child in Remuera, Auckland,[1] Braun appeared in numerous stage productions plus occasional television shows (The Haunting of Barney Palmer)[2] and advertisements.

Her mother studied at the Royal College of Music in the 1950s and at the age of 16 Braun moved from New Zealand to London.[3] In 1989, Braun earned a place at London's prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.[4]

Career

She began her West End career six months later with a lead role in short-lived musical Bernadette at the Dominion Theatre.[3] Cameron Mackintosh then cast Meredith as Eponine in Les Miserables, a role she played in both London and Manchester. In 1993, she was cast as Betty Schaeffer in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical version of Sunset Boulevard. Having been part of an audition process that involved 300 other potential actresses, Lloyd Webber said of Meredith "When I saw Meredith and heard her I knew she was going to be a star".

Further shows in the West End included starring as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera plus Out of the Blue with Michael McCarthy[5][6] and Killing Rasputin. Between 2000-2001 Meredith starred as Lily in the RSC's production of The Secret Garden at both the Theatre Royal Stratford and the Aldwych Theatre, London.

Braun also acted as Belle in Disney's 1992 holiday film The Muppet Christmas Carol opposite Michael Caine and the cast of The Muppets,[7] and has done a number of television roles in England.

After a ten-year absence from performing, Meredith released her debut solo album Someone Else's Story in 2012 - a mix of contemporary show songs and classical crossover material. The album features musical direction and arrangements by Paul Bateman (musical director for Sarah Brightman and Lesley Garrett), and was released on Stage Door Records on March 26, 2012.[8][3]

In 2017, Meredith released her second solo album When Love Is Gone featuring a new recording of the song she performed in The Muppet Christmas Carol marking the film's 25th anniversary. The album was released by Stage Door Records in November 2017.[9]

Meredith now works as a lecturer for The University of Chichester's BA (hons) Musical Theatre Triple Threat.

Screen roles

West End roles
  • Cordelia (Jude) - National Studio (2002)
  • The Secret Garden (Lily) - Aldwych Theatre / Theatre Royal Stratford (2000–2001)
  • The Phantom Of The Opera (Christine) - Her Majesty's Theatre (1999–2000)
  • Killing Rasputin (Princess Irina) - Bridewell Theatre (1998–1999)
  • Out Of The Blue (Hideko) - Shaftesbury Theatre (1994)
  • Sunset Boulevard (Betty Schaefer) - Adelphi Theatre (1993)
  • Les Miserables (Eponine) - Palace Theatre, London (1991)
  • Bernadette (Camille) - Dominion Theatre (1990)

Workshops
  • The Far Pavilions (New York / London)
  • Yusupov (Sydmonton Festival / Donmar Warehouse) 1994
  • Jekyll (Prince of Wales Theatre, London) 1994
  • Forever Yours

New Zealand stage roles
  • The Tempest (Ariel)
  • The Chalk Garden (Laurel)
  • The Cage Birds (Gossip)
  • The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole (Pandora)[1]
  • Snoopy (Peppermint Patty)
  • Bugsy Malone (Blouse)
  • The Wizard Of Oz (Dorothy)
  • Alice in Wonderland (Alice)
  • Jack The Ripper (Polly)
  • Fiddler On The Roof
  • Sweet Charity
  • Footrot Flats (Jess)
  • Worzel Gummidge
  • Jesus Christ Superstar
  • The Sound Of Music
  • South Pacific

Personal life

Braun has three children by her first husband, musical director David White,[10] (twins born 1997-1998) and a son, Tiger Braun-White, a cellist, (born 2003-2004).[9][11] Her second husband, Bill Rae, is a marine architect.[4][12]

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References
  1. Matheson, John (1987). "Coveted role to Meredith". Retrieved 22 October 2018 – via actorz.ru.
  2. "The Haunting of Barney Palmer (1987)". bfi.org.uk. British Film Institute. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  3. Fernandez, Ligia (March 2012). "5 Questions For... Meredith Braun". Broadway Cafe Society. Archived from the original on 25 June 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  4. Churchill, Penny (7 April 2016). "Country houses in Kent and Hampshire: A Hampshire gem near Bedales". Country Life. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  5. "Out of the Blue: Cast". lilyrose.org. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  6. Braun, Meredith; Tokura, Shun-Ichi; Sand, Paul (1994). Out of the Blue (Media notes). Cast: Simon Burke, David Burt, Greg Ellis, Lynden Edwards, James Graeme, Paulette Ivory, Michael McCarthy, Andrew Newey, Charles Shirvell, Andrew Wale. Stage Door Records. ASIN B0042FXIKS. Barcode: 5055122190257.
  7. "The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)". bfi.org.uk. British Film Institute. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  8. Gans, Andrew (27 July 2011). "Sunset Boulevard star Meredith Braun at work on debut solo recording". Playbill. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  9. Hewitt, Phil (5 January 2018). "New album from Meredith Braun". Chichester Observer. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  10. Staff writer (16 March 2012). "Meredith Braun: "'Someone Else's Story' is full of stories, each song is a journey"". todoMUSICALES. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
    See also:
    "David White, BA, FRAM: Musical Theatre - Specialist Musical Theatre Coach and Vocal Coach". ram.ac.uk. Royal Academy of Music. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  11. Meredith Braun - Official "Team Braun" (18 December 2017). "Tiger Braun-White - Debut Cello Recital in aid of Skylight". facebook.com/meredithbraunofficial. Facebook. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  12. "Welcome To Rea McAllister Yachts". yachtworld.com/reamcallisteryachts. Rea McAllister Yachts Ltd. Archived from the original on 23 October 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
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