Shanay Holmes

Shanay Patrice Holmes (born 18 January 1989) is a British actor, singer and producer. She is best known for playing Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh' revival of Oliver!. Early life Holmes was born in High Wycombe and grew up in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire. Holmes attended Amersham and Wycombe College. At age fourteen, she joined a youth choir called Young Voices. She landed her first West End role in Thriller – Live.

Career She played Cindy Breakspeare in 2021 in Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical, in which The Stage described hers as a "stand out performance". In 2023, Holmes played Ellen in Miss Saigon at Sheffield Theatres; The Times described her as "volcanic" in the part.

Holmes starred as Nancy in the 2024 revival of Oliver! at the Chichester Festival Theatre and continued in the role when Oliver! transferred to London's Gielgud Theatre. In its review of the West End engagement, the Financial Times wrote that she "shines as Nancy". Another notice commended her work in Oom-Pah-Pah and As Long as He Needs Me. Reviewing the production's Chichester run, The Times noted audience response to her performance. Producing work Holmes is a producer and co-founder of West End Musical Productions with her husband Chris Steward. The couple produce Musical Con among their musical theatre projects. In 2021 they won the Black British Theatre Award for Best Producer for their production "West End Musical Celebration at Palace Theatre". Musical Theatre Review described it as an “expertly created and executed showcase”. West End Musical Productions won the 2024 Michael Hastings, Baron Hastings of Scarisbrick award for outstanding work in the industry at the 2024 Black British Theatre Awards.

Stage Year Title Role Notes 2009 Thriller – Live Lyric Theatre, London 2014 The Bodyguard Ensemble Adelphi Theatre, London 2015 Close to You: Bacharach Reimagined Criterion Theatre, London 2016 Jesus Christ Superstar Ensemble Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London 2016 Rent Joanne Jefferson UK tour / The Other Palace, London 2018 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat Narrator Kilworth House, Leicestershire 2018 The Wizard of Oz Glinda / Aunt Em Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Birmingham 2019 The Bridges of Madison County Marian Menier Chocolate Factory, London 2019 High Fidelity Laura Turbine Theatre, London 2021 Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical Cindy Breakspeare Lyric Theatre, London 2023 Miss Saigon Ellen Crucible Theatre, Sheffield 2025 Oliver! Nancy Chichester Festival Theatre / Gielgud Theatre, London2026 Fame Miss Sherman Theatre Royal, Plymouth

Awards