Emma Kingston

Emma Kingston
Born
Emma Esther Kingston

(1991-02-19) 19 February 1991 (age 33)
Watford, England
Alma materMountview Academy of Theatre Arts
Years active2013–present

Emma Esther Kingston (born 19 February 1991)[1] is a British stage actress. She is best known for playing Heather Chandler in Heathers: The Musical,[2] Vanessa in the original London cast of In the Heights, and Eva Perón on the international tour of Evita.

Early life and education

Kingston was born at Watford General Hospital to an Argentine mother and a Liverpudlian father, both Jewish. Her maternal grandparents are Argentine and Welsh, with more distant Italian and Turkish roots, while her paternal ancestors had fled to England from Eastern Europe.[3]

Kingston attended Immanuel College. She studied acting at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.[4]

Career

Musical Theatre

In 2014 Kingston starred as Vanessa in the original London production of In the Heights, with David Bedella as Kevin, Josie Benson as Camilla, Damian Buhagiar as Sonny, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as Daniela, Sam Mackay as Usnavi, Christina Modestou as Nina, Sarah Naudi as Carla, Eve Polycarpou as Abuela and Wayne Robinson as Benny.[5] The show was directed by Luke Sheppard and choreographed by Drew McOnie, transferred to the King's Cross Theatre, after a successful run and closed in 2016.[6]

Kingston was due to play the role of Luisa in the Hope Mill Theatre revival of Zorro the Musical in March 2020.[7] The show closed after only two previews due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but transferred to London's Charing Cross Theatre in March–May 2022.[8][9]

In September 2020 Kingston played alongside Waylon Jacobs in The Last Five Years at the Minack Theatre in Cornwall.[10]

Kingston was Heather Chandler in the cast of Heathers: The Musical from November 2021 to February 2022, when the show returned to The Other Palace for a limited final run, with Ailsa Davidson as Veronica and Freddie King as J.D.[11]

In 2022 Kingston played the titular role in an online only revival of BKLYN - The musical, with Jamie Muscato playing Taylor and Marisha Wallace in the role of Paradice.[12][13]

Kingston joined the cast of the European premiere of The Band's Visit, performing at the Donmar Warehouse from September to December 2022. She played the role of Sammy's Wife and main character Dina at certain performances.[14]

Kingston joined a West End star studded cast in Schwartz at 75, two performance concert in celebration of the famous composer, held in September 2023 at the Lyric Theatre. Also in the cast Kerry Ellis, Louise Dearman, Rachel Tucker, Rob Houchen, Jamie Muscato, Sharon Rose, Hiba Elchikhe and Carl Spencer.[15][16]

In June 2024 Kingston made her debut in New York at 54 Below with her solo show "My Love Letter to New York". Special guests in the show were Rob Houchen and Courtney Reed. [17][18][19]

In January 2025, it was announced that Emma would play Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked from March 2025.[20]

Theatre credits

Year Title Role Theatre
2013 Priscilla Queen of the Desert Diva UK tour
2014 In the Heights Vanessa Southwark Playhouse
2015 Les Misérables Ensemble/ u.s. Eponine Queen's Theatre
2017 Fiddler on the Roof Hodel Chichester Festival Theatre
2017-2018 Evita Eva Perón International Tour
2020 Zorro The Musical Luisa Hope Mill Theatre
2020 The Last Five Years Cathy Minack Theatre
2021-2022 Heathers: The Musical Heather Chandler The Other Palace
2022 The Band's Visit Sammy's Wife/ Dina at

certain performances

Donmar Warehouse
2025 Wicked Elphaba Apollo Victoria Theatre


Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2018 Been So Long BV Trio
2021 BKLYN the musical Actor

References

  1. ^ Ong, Cheryl (16 January 2018). "Read What Evita Actress Emma Kingston Has To Say To Audiences Who Film The Live Show". 8 Days. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  2. ^ "The performer who sang Hatikvah to get a West End show". Jewish News. 2022-11-17. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  3. ^ "No, but, where are you really from?". Emma Kingston. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  4. ^ "About Me". Emma Kingston. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  5. ^ "Cast announced for In The Heights at Southwark Playhouse - West End Wilma". 2014-03-30. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  6. ^ "REVIEW: In The Heights, King's Cross Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭". British Theatre. 2015-10-20. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  7. ^ "Zorro musical at the Hope Mill Theatre announces full casting". 2020-02-03. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  8. ^ "NEWS: Hope Mill's Zorro The Musical transfers to London's Charing Cross Theatre in March". My Theatre Mates. 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  9. ^ John, Emma (2022-04-13). "Zorro: The Musical review – swordplay, seduction and castanets". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  10. ^ "Emma Kingston & Waylon Jacobs to star in The Last Five Years at The Minack this September". West End Best Friend. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  11. ^ Gans, Andrew (November 25, 2021). "Heathers the Musical Returns to Original London Home Beginning November 25". playbill.com.
  12. ^ Thomas, Sophie (2021-02-18). "'BKLYN - The Musical' digital revival to stream in March". London Theatre. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  13. ^ "Five reasons to watch the barnstorming BKLYN the Musical online". 2021-03-22. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  14. ^ Russo, Gillian (2022-08-22). "'The Band's Visit' sets cast at Donmar Warehouse". London Theatre. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  15. ^ "Schwartz at 75 announces additional performance and complete cast". 2023-07-19. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  16. ^ "West End concert to celebrate 75 years of Stephen Schwartz". 2023-06-05. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  17. ^ "About Me | Emma Kingston". Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  18. ^ "Emma Kingston: My Love Letter to NY, feat. Rob Houchen & Courtney Reed!". 54 Below. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  19. ^ Wild, Stephi. "Emma Kingston Brings MY LOVE LETTER TO NY to 54 Below in June". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  20. ^ "Wicked unveils new West End casting". 2025-01-16. Retrieved 2025-01-16.