From Oakwood to Covent Garden for actor Adelle Leonce

AN ACTOR from Rotherham is taking the lead in a play in the centre of London.
Adelle Leonce is playing Emilia in a play of the same name in LondonAdelle Leonce is playing Emilia in a play of the same name in London
Adelle Leonce is playing Emilia in a play of the same name in London

Adelle Leonce (28), who lived as a youngster in The Stag and Whiston areas — attending Herringthorpe Junior and Infant School and later Oakwood High School — studied at RCAT before going on to Italia Conti in London.

She is one of three actors all portraying Emilia in the play of the same name by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, which is showing at the Vaudeville Theatre in Covent Garden.

Adelle has appeared in many roles in the theatre as well as on television programmes including Silent Witness, Death in Paradise, Ordinary Lies, Vera and Shameless.

Her mum, Allison Leonce-Coley, said: “Adelle did her NCQ in drama at Oakwood and then did her diploma at RCAT where Denny Smith was her tutor, who she took inspiration from.”

And acting is definitely in Adelle’s blood, as Allison explained: “Her grandmother Joan Cowley, who was my mother, was very well known in Rotherham as an amazing singer/soprano who took many leads at the Civic Theatre and was also in South Yorkshire opera.”

And Allison herself also trod the boards, appearing as a nun and in other parts alongside her daughter as Brigetta in The Sound of Music with Wickersley Musical Theatre Company — along with Adelle’s grandmother who was musical director and played the Mother Abbess.

Allison, who has been to see Emilia and plans to go again, said that she was very proud of Adelle and added: “I love her, she’s so down to earth and she’s not one to brag.

“The cast of Emilia have standing ovations every night.”

Emilia, which plays until June 15 at the Vaudeville Theatre, tells the story of Emilia Bassano, who lived 400 years ago and was a poet and also Shakespeare’s muse.

The part of Emilia is played by three actors in each performance, with Adelle playing the part of the poet as a young woman.

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