BIOGRAPHY / CV

Nicola Gardner is an elegant, inspired and beautiful actress. Nicola began theatre studies at the Russell Leite Stage School in Manchester, concentrating on ballet, jazz dance, elocution & drama. Nicola was awarded numerous Dance Teachers Association certificates in ballet & modern dance. In addition, Nicola also achieved awards in poetry & drama. Nicola continued drama training at North Cheshire Theatre School.

After leaving drama school, Nicola’s acting career began with an excellent start playing the classical lead role of Beatrice Joanna in ‘The Changeling’ for Aspects Theatre Company.

Work in the theatre continued with Black Arts Development Project. Nicola won the pivotal role of Lena Younger in Lorraine Hansberry’s ‘A Raisin in the Sun’. ‘An uninhibited performance’ — Manchester Evening News. Nicola has also appeared at the Library Theatre in the disturbing, gritty production of ‘A Caribbean Abroad’.

Nicola’s talent for comedy was recognised by Granada Television resulting in a part in ‘The World of Lee Evans’ followed by the role of Angelica in Yorkshire Television’s ‘Lamb of God’. Other television work includes roles on ‘Coronation Street’ & ‘Emmerdale’ in addition to landing the featured role of Vonnie Johnson in Brookside. Nicola has also appeared as Anne Finn in ‘Merseybeat’ and in ‘The Royal’ as Sister Theresa.

Nicola was chosen for the part of the viciously funny Mrs Clark in ‘Eulogy’ for Frigid Films. ‘Eulogy’ also presented the chance to work with some of the UK’s leading black actors such as Ram John Holder (‘Desmond’s’).

Development is continuous for Nicola and she has achieved LAMDA external drama qualifications at honours level. Nicola also holds the RADA Shakespeare certificate in acting.

Nicola is capable of a wide range of ethnic accents. This has led to extensive voice over work. She has also acted in radio plays such as ‘Chaos by Design’ and ‘Shells on a Woven Chord’, both for BBC Radio 4.

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CV

Nicola Gardner
Height: 5ft 7", Hair: Black, Eyes: Dark Brown

TELEVISION (includes - for comprehensive list, please ask for details)

Granada TV Registrar CORONATION STREET John Prescott
Yorkshire TV Sister Theresa THE ROYAL John Greening
BBC TV Anne Finn MERSEYBEAT Adrian Bean
Mersey TV Vonnie Johnson BROOKSIDE Pip Short & Others
Granada TV Dr Cunningham CORONATION STREET Sue Dunderdale
Yorkshire TV Dr Lowe EMMERDALE Sue Dunderdale
Yorkshire TV Angelica LAMB OF GOD Dave Behrens
Granada TV Receptionist WORLD OF LEE EVANS Andrew Gillman
Yorkshire TV Jury Foreperson VERDICT Bill Pryde
Yorkshire TV Miss Jones RETRACE* Mike Cocker

*winner Royal Television Society Awards - Best Childrens Drama Series

FILM AND VIDEO (includes - for comprehensive list, please ask for details)

Frigid Films Mrs Clark EULOGY Avril Russell
One Day Films Cathy SIGNS OF LIFE Erik Knudsen
HSE Mina CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH Dave Francis
EBC Antonia Steele SPARE THE ROD Celia Bonner
Sharp Focus Video Therapist C.A.L.M Gary Scott
Hourglass Pictures Jean Smith PATIENTS AT RISK Jane Clegg
Creative Communications Ms Grayson ASDA Allan Bardsley
Prison Service Cherise Douglas DIVERSITY EDUCATION PROJECT Nav Khera

RADIO

BBC Radio 4 Mrs Clarke / Newsreader CHAOS BY DESIGN Nandita Ghose
BBC Radio 4 Munira / Osob / Anab SHELLS on a woven cord Nandita Ghose
BBC Radio Newcastle Violet JORDAN ROAD Yve Ngoo

THEATRE (includes)

Library Theatre / Black Arts Joyce A CARIBBEAN ABROAD Wyllie Longmore
Green Room Theatre / Black Arts Lena Younger A RAISIN IN THE SUN Helen Parry
0161 Theatre Company Tessa FUNERAL GAMES Maureen McDonnell
Kinetic Race Theatre Lucretia THE CENCI Elizabeth Hopley
Electric Theatre Brenda BETTER THAN DISNEY WORLD Jerry Lawton
Aspects Theatre Beatrice Joanna THE CHANGELING Guy Holloway
Northern Broadsides Theatre Company Ariel THE TEMPEST Barrie Rutter
The Drum Theatre La Griotte CALL MR ROBESON Brian Morgan
Yorkshire Women Theatre Joyce CHA! NO EXCUSES Amanda Huxtable

REHEARSED READINGS (includes)

Contact Theatre Leslie GET KEN BARLOW Leigh Symonds
Contact Theatre Kathy LEAH Leigh Symonds
Gateway Theatre Reina ADDIE'S LINE Chris Bridgman

Training: Russell Leite Stage School, North Cheshire Theatre School & TVI Studios, Los Angeles.

Skills: Fluent in French & all accents of African origin, West Indian & Black American, RP, Manchester (native), Liverpool, Yorkshire, Cockney. Extensive dance training including ballet, jazz & traditional African. Athletic ability includes aerobics, netball, tennis, badminton, football, swimming, running. Full driving license.