Angie Le Mar
Encyclopedia
Angie Le Mar is a British comedian, actor, writer, director, presenter and producer.
Le Mar is married with three children. The eldest, Travis Jay, is a budding comedian and radio DJ.
Aged ten, Le Mar appeared in a school play called "In on the Island" at the Albany Empire and then attended the Lewisham Drama Club, inspired by her primary school teacher Mr Woodgate. She then Joined Second Wave Women's Drama group, where she performed "Net Full of Holes" also at the Albany Empire and was inspired by workshop facilitator Cathy Kilcoyne.
and Treva Etienne
. Le Mar set up her own theatre company with two fellow actresses called the Bemarrow Sisters, which ran for seven years. Productions included "A Slice of Life" directed by Decima Francis, "Gloria" directed by Trevor Laird
and "This way Up" written by Peggy Bennette-Hume.
She was the first Black British
performer to appear at Harlem
's Apollo Theatre
and had the first ever sell out show by a female black comedian in London's West End.http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2010/apr/13/black-comedy Her TV appearances include the BBC
’s The Real McCoy
and Channel 4
’s Get Up, Stand Up, and presented The Saturday Morning Show on Choice FM
. She was also a commentator on Grumpy Old Women
in 2005.
, Curtis Walker
, Ishmael Thomas and Leo Chester all members of the BBC comedy series The Real McCoy. Her popularity earned her the title "The Queen of Black Comedy".
Her reputation took her to the mainstream circuit where she beacame a regular act at established comedy clubs including Up The Creek
, Jongleurs
and The Comedy Store
, culminating in Le Mar performing her sell-out one woman show "Off The Hook" at the Apollo Theatre
Shaftesbury Avenue in 2000. She also gained international acclaim when she performed at the Apollo Theatre, New York and the Comedy Act Theatre in Los Angeles.
Le Mar recently celebrated 25 years in her show An Audience with Angie Le Mar, "Celebrating 25 years", at the Barbican Theatre in September 2010.
in November 1995, directed by Paulette Randall
The show was reprised again in 2007 The Best Of Funny Black Women on The Edge through Le Mar's recently formed production company Straight To Audience Productions. at the Hackney Empire
, directed by Jo Martin
and Dawn Reid.
Le Mar wrote her show The Brothers which was originally aired as a radio production on Choice FM produced by Ivor Etienne. Written in 2006 and directed by Le Mar, the show made its theatre debut at the Hackney Empire
and became the fastest-selling show there since Hamlet. The Brothers was also recorded for television and shown on MTV Base
.
In 2007 Le Mar wrote Do You Know Where Your Daughter Is?. Whilst working as a radio presenter on Choice FM, Le Mar was moved by a call she received on her phone in show from a distressed young lady who had been abused by her boyfriend. The contents of the call inspired her to write the play, which was targeted predominantly to young audiences and parents. The play premiered at the Hackney Empires' Acorn Theatre and ran for 8 weeks. It was toured throughout the London Region and the suburbs between 2008–2009, and played at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Gilded Balloon in August 2010. There are ongoing plans to tour the show nationally in 2011.
The most recent play written by Le Mar is Forty in which she played the character "Sandra" was premiered at the Hackney Empire in 2008 and again at The Broadway Theatre, Catford
in 2009, directed by Karena Johnson
. Discussions are ongoing for a television series.
Le Mar directed other productions including "Waiting to Inhale" written by comedian and broadcaster Geoff Schumann which played at the Theatre Royal Stratford East
in 1997, "Will The Real Wayne Rollins Stand Up" one man show at the Hackney Empires' Bullion Room Theatre in 2002, and "Big Sister" featuring Donna Spence and Quincy, also at Hackney's Bullion Room Theatre in 2003.
Le Mar continues to work with young people through her production company Straight To Audience Productions, and has recently set up a strand within the organisation called Straight To Audience Youth (STAY). Her workshops include writing and directing and stand up comedy masterclasses.
, BBC
, Late Licence, Channel 4
, presented by Mark Thomas
and Johnny Vaughan
, Get Up Stand Up, Channel 4
, a comedy sketch show. As well as appearing in different roles, Le Mar contributed to the writing and character development for the programme. Le Mar appeared as a panelist on the comedy review show Blouse & Skirt, BBC
. A commentator in the BBC
series Grumpy Old Women
, and a cameo role in the BBC
's Holby City
.
Le Mar is looking forward to several television projects in 2011. She made her first appearance as a panelist on ITV
's popular lunchtime programme Loose Women
aired on 2 February 2011.
Through her own production company Straight To Audience Productions, Le Mar has commissioned three projects which are presently in development for internet streaming. The "Living Room" will be an intimate setting in which Le Mar interviews personalities from the world of business, entertainment, politics, sport and lifestyle. "Angie's Round The Table" A debate show presented by Le Mar, with six invited guests debating on social issues and topics that effect ordinary people, literally around a table set in a casual environment. The third project is called "Women at the Top of Their Game", an interview programme with a small live audience, focusing on women who have reached the top of their chosen profession.
Finally Le Mar is presently working on a new TV Sitcom called "The Ryan Sisters" which is scheduled for production in 2012.
between 2000 - 2007. Her many guests included Stevie Wonder
, Jermaine Jackson
, Danny Glover
, Idris Elba
Mica Paris
, Maya Angelou
, Mary J Blige, to name but a few. Le Mar is currently a radio presenter on Colourful Radio, which she presents her show "Time of The Month", once every month.
, actress/tv presenter Josie 'D' Arby, actress/singer (Eternal
) Kelle Bryan
, and comedian, radio broadcaster Eddie Nestor
, as well as Le Mar herself. The show will premier as a preview theatre production at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon in March 2012.
Le Mar is married with three children. The eldest, Travis Jay, is a budding comedian and radio DJ.
Early life
Born in Lewisham, London of Jamaican parentage, she grew up with 4 older brothers. She attended Lewisham Bridge School, Lewisham Girls School, Blackhealth Bluecoat School and Vauxhall College. Her experience at school was difficult, and it was not until she completed her education that she was diagnosed as being dyslexic.Aged ten, Le Mar appeared in a school play called "In on the Island" at the Albany Empire and then attended the Lewisham Drama Club, inspired by her primary school teacher Mr Woodgate. She then Joined Second Wave Women's Drama group, where she performed "Net Full of Holes" also at the Albany Empire and was inspired by workshop facilitator Cathy Kilcoyne.
Career
Le Mar attended the Barbara Speake Stage School, and Afro Sax drama club run by Larrington Walker, Ellen ThomasEllen Thomas
Ellen Thomas is an American activist who has been the primary support person for the vigil in front of the White House against nuclear weapons for over a decade. She first became involved with the vigil on April 13, 1984. The daughter of a U.S. Marine, Thomas grew up in California and became...
and Treva Etienne
Treva Etienne
Treva Etienne is an English actor. He played a Somali militiaman in the film Black Hawk Down and appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl . He also appeared in three series of London's Burning as fireman Tony Sanderson.- External links :...
. Le Mar set up her own theatre company with two fellow actresses called the Bemarrow Sisters, which ran for seven years. Productions included "A Slice of Life" directed by Decima Francis, "Gloria" directed by Trevor Laird
Trevor Laird
Trevor Laird is an English actor.Born in London, Laird appeared in the 1979 film Quadrophenia as Ferdy, a drug supplier for the main character Jimmy. His breakthrough role was in the 1980 cult classic Babylon. He also appeared in the 1986 Doctor Who serial Mindwarp as the guard commander Frax...
and "This way Up" written by Peggy Bennette-Hume.
She was the first Black British
Black British
Black British is a term used to describe British people of Black African descent, especially those of Afro-Caribbean background. The term has been used from the 1950s to refer to Black people from former British colonies in the West Indies and Africa, who are residents of the United Kingdom and...
performer to appear at Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
's Apollo Theatre
Apollo Theatre
The Apollo Theatre is a Grade II listed West End theatre, on Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster. Designed by architect Lewin Sharp for owner Henry Lowenfield, and the fourth legitimate theatre to be constructed on the street, its doors opened on 21 February 1901 with the American...
and had the first ever sell out show by a female black comedian in London's West End.http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2010/apr/13/black-comedy Her TV appearances include the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
’s The Real McCoy
The Real McCoy (TV series)
The Real McCoy was a BBC Television comedy show which ran from 1991 to 1996, featuring an array of black and Asian comedy stars performing material aimed at an across-the-board black audience....
and Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
’s Get Up, Stand Up, and presented The Saturday Morning Show on Choice FM
Choice FM
Choice FM, branded on-air as London's Choice, is a brand used by the UK's biggest radio company, Global Radio for its network of black music radio stations...
. She was also a commentator on Grumpy Old Women
Grumpy Old Women
For the live show, see Grumpy Old Women LiveGrumpy Old Women is a British television series, continuing in the same vein as its predecessor, Grumpy Old Men. Both programmes are shown on BBC Two. The first two series were narrated by Alison Steadman, and the third by Judith Holder...
in 2005.
Stand-up comedy
From 1985 Le Mar cut her teeth on the comedy circuit, by initially doing open spots and warm-ups at events such as fashion shows and parties within the black community. She later rose to prominence on the emerging black comedy circuit in the 1990s, sharing the stage with established comedians such as Felix DexterFelix Dexter
Felix Dexter is an actor, comedian, and writer living in the U.K..-Early life:Dexter was born in St Kitts in the Caribbean, and moved to London with his family at the age of seven.-Radio:...
, Curtis Walker
Curtis Walker
Curtis Walker is a British actor and writer. He starred in BBC comedy shows Paramount City, CBBC Sitcom Kerching!, The Real McCoy and Blouse and Skirt.-External links:*...
, Ishmael Thomas and Leo Chester all members of the BBC comedy series The Real McCoy. Her popularity earned her the title "The Queen of Black Comedy".
Her reputation took her to the mainstream circuit where she beacame a regular act at established comedy clubs including Up The Creek
Up the Creek
Up the Creek is a 1984 comedy film, directed by Robert Butler. Although the film itself was not as popular as other "college romp" films, the four lead parts all came to the film with experience in popular comedies, most notably Animal House and Porky's.-Plot summary:Bob McGraw, Max, Gonzer, and...
, Jongleurs
Jongleurs
Jongleurs is a chain of comedy clubs in the United Kingdom. Maria Kempinska MBE established and opened the first Jongleurs club in 1983 in Battersea, London. In 1985 Maria then met her business partner John Davy, and together they built the Jongleurs brand. The company evolved into a corporate...
and The Comedy Store
The Comedy Store
The Comedy Store is a comedy club located in West Hollywood, California, at 8433 Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip. It has a sister comedy club in La Jolla, San Diego, California.-History:...
, culminating in Le Mar performing her sell-out one woman show "Off The Hook" at the Apollo Theatre
Apollo Theatre
The Apollo Theatre is a Grade II listed West End theatre, on Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster. Designed by architect Lewin Sharp for owner Henry Lowenfield, and the fourth legitimate theatre to be constructed on the street, its doors opened on 21 February 1901 with the American...
Shaftesbury Avenue in 2000. She also gained international acclaim when she performed at the Apollo Theatre, New York and the Comedy Act Theatre in Los Angeles.
Le Mar recently celebrated 25 years in her show An Audience with Angie Le Mar, "Celebrating 25 years", at the Barbican Theatre in September 2010.
Theatre
Le Mar launched her professional theatre career in 1994 with her comedy sketch show Funny Black Women On The Edge which premiered at The Civic Centre in Southwark, London, which she wrote and also made her first directing debut, playing several characters. The show went on to play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, at the Gilded Balloon in the same year. The show played at the Theatre Royal Stratford EastTheatre Royal Stratford East
The Theatre Royal Stratford East is a theatre in Stratford in the London Borough of Newham. Since 1953, it has been the home of the Theatre Workshop company.-History:...
in November 1995, directed by Paulette Randall
Paulette Randall
Paulette Randall, is a British theatre director. She chairs the board of the Clean Break Theatre Company, and is former artistic director of the Talawa Theatre Company.-Projects:Royal Court Theatre* Directed Blest be the Tie by Doña Daley...
The show was reprised again in 2007 The Best Of Funny Black Women on The Edge through Le Mar's recently formed production company Straight To Audience Productions. at the Hackney Empire
Hackney Empire
The Hackney Empire is a theatre on Mare Street, in the London Borough of Hackney, built in 1901 as a music hall.-History:Hackney Empire is a grade II* listed building...
, directed by Jo Martin
Jo Martin
Jo Martin is an actress, best known for playing Natalie Crouch on a BBC1 black sitcom called The Crouches, which aired from September 2003 - 2005....
and Dawn Reid.
Le Mar wrote her show The Brothers which was originally aired as a radio production on Choice FM produced by Ivor Etienne. Written in 2006 and directed by Le Mar, the show made its theatre debut at the Hackney Empire
Hackney Empire
The Hackney Empire is a theatre on Mare Street, in the London Borough of Hackney, built in 1901 as a music hall.-History:Hackney Empire is a grade II* listed building...
and became the fastest-selling show there since Hamlet. The Brothers was also recorded for television and shown on MTV Base
MTV Base
MTV Base is a 24-hour music and general entertainment channel from MTV Networks International. The channel focuses primarily on music from the world of R'n'B, hiphop, reggae, soul and urban. The MTV Base brand first launched in the United Kingdom and in the Republic of Ireland on July 1, 1999,...
.
In 2007 Le Mar wrote Do You Know Where Your Daughter Is?. Whilst working as a radio presenter on Choice FM, Le Mar was moved by a call she received on her phone in show from a distressed young lady who had been abused by her boyfriend. The contents of the call inspired her to write the play, which was targeted predominantly to young audiences and parents. The play premiered at the Hackney Empires' Acorn Theatre and ran for 8 weeks. It was toured throughout the London Region and the suburbs between 2008–2009, and played at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Gilded Balloon in August 2010. There are ongoing plans to tour the show nationally in 2011.
The most recent play written by Le Mar is Forty in which she played the character "Sandra" was premiered at the Hackney Empire in 2008 and again at The Broadway Theatre, Catford
Broadway Theatre, Catford
The Broadway Theatre, Catford is a theatre on Rushey Green, Catford in the London Borough of Lewisham. A grade II* listed building, the theatre was built in 1932 and is an outstanding example of Art Deco design...
in 2009, directed by Karena Johnson
Karena Johnson
Karena Johnson is a British Theatrical Director/Producer. She is Britain's only black female Artistic Director of a Theatre, who first started working at London's Oval House Theatre. She was Acting Artistic director at Contact theatre and Artistic Director of Kushite Theatre Company as well as...
. Discussions are ongoing for a television series.
Le Mar directed other productions including "Waiting to Inhale" written by comedian and broadcaster Geoff Schumann which played at the Theatre Royal Stratford East
Theatre Royal Stratford East
The Theatre Royal Stratford East is a theatre in Stratford in the London Borough of Newham. Since 1953, it has been the home of the Theatre Workshop company.-History:...
in 1997, "Will The Real Wayne Rollins Stand Up" one man show at the Hackney Empires' Bullion Room Theatre in 2002, and "Big Sister" featuring Donna Spence and Quincy, also at Hackney's Bullion Room Theatre in 2003.
Le Mar continues to work with young people through her production company Straight To Audience Productions, and has recently set up a strand within the organisation called Straight To Audience Youth (STAY). Her workshops include writing and directing and stand up comedy masterclasses.
Television
Le Mar's television appearances includes the successful comedy sketch show The Real McCoyThe Real McCoy
"The real McCoy" is an idiom and metaphor used in much of the English-speaking world to mean "the real thing" or "the genuine article", e.g., "he's the real McCoy"...
, BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, Late Licence, Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
, presented by Mark Thomas
Mark Thomas
Mark Clifford Thomas is a left-wing English comedian, presenter, political activist and reporter from south London. He first became known as a guest comic on the BBC Radio 1 comedy show The Mary Whitehouse Experience in the late 1980s. He is best known for political stunts on his show, The Mark...
and Johnny Vaughan
Johnny Vaughan
Jonathan Randall Vaughan is an English broadcaster and journalist. Vaughan has become well known as a television and radio personality and has also built a reputation as a film critic. He co-presented Capital Breakfast alongside Lisa Snowdon on 95.8 Capital FM between 2004 and 2011...
, Get Up Stand Up, Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
, a comedy sketch show. As well as appearing in different roles, Le Mar contributed to the writing and character development for the programme. Le Mar appeared as a panelist on the comedy review show Blouse & Skirt, BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. A commentator in the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
series Grumpy Old Women
Grumpy Old Women
For the live show, see Grumpy Old Women LiveGrumpy Old Women is a British television series, continuing in the same vein as its predecessor, Grumpy Old Men. Both programmes are shown on BBC Two. The first two series were narrated by Alison Steadman, and the third by Judith Holder...
, and a cameo role in the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's Holby City
Holby City
Holby City, stylised as Holby Ci+y, is a British medical drama television series that airs weekly on BBC One.The series was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty, and premiered on 12 January 1999...
.
Le Mar is looking forward to several television projects in 2011. She made her first appearance as a panelist on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
's popular lunchtime programme Loose Women
Loose Women
Loose Women is a British lunchtime television programme, first broadcast in 1999 on ITV. It consists of a panel of four women who interview celebrities and discuss topical issues, ranging from daily politics and current affairs, to celebrity gossip...
aired on 2 February 2011.
Through her own production company Straight To Audience Productions, Le Mar has commissioned three projects which are presently in development for internet streaming. The "Living Room" will be an intimate setting in which Le Mar interviews personalities from the world of business, entertainment, politics, sport and lifestyle. "Angie's Round The Table" A debate show presented by Le Mar, with six invited guests debating on social issues and topics that effect ordinary people, literally around a table set in a casual environment. The third project is called "Women at the Top of Their Game", an interview programme with a small live audience, focusing on women who have reached the top of their chosen profession.
Finally Le Mar is presently working on a new TV Sitcom called "The Ryan Sisters" which is scheduled for production in 2012.
Radio
As well as making many radio guest appearances, Le Mar presented The Angie Le Mar Show on BBC Radio London,1998 - 2000. Le Mar further established her radio credentials when she presented her Friday night show "The Ladies Room" and subsequently presented the Saturday morning "Breakfast Show" on Choice FMChoice FM
Choice FM, branded on-air as London's Choice, is a brand used by the UK's biggest radio company, Global Radio for its network of black music radio stations...
between 2000 - 2007. Her many guests included Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine La Jaune Jackson is an American singer, bassist, composer, a member of The Jackson 5, older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson and occasional film director...
, Danny Glover
Danny Glover
Danny Lebern Glover is an American actor, film director, and political activist. Glover is perhaps best known for his role as Detective Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon film franchise.-Early life:...
, Idris Elba
Idris Elba
Idrissa Akuna "Idris" Elba is a British television, theatre, and film actor. He has starred in both British and American productions. Elba grew up in Canning Town, East London. One of his first acting roles was in the soap opera Family Affairs. He has worked in a variety of TV roles including ...
Mica Paris
Mica Paris
Mica Paris is an English soul singer, radio and television presenter, and occasional actress. Her forename is pronounced Misha.-Beginnings:Paris' roots are in soul and gospel music...
, Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou is an American author and poet who has been called "America's most visible black female autobiographer" by scholar Joanne M. Braxton. She is best known for her series of six autobiographical volumes, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first and most highly...
, Mary J Blige, to name but a few. Le Mar is currently a radio presenter on Colourful Radio, which she presents her show "Time of The Month", once every month.
New Projects 2011
Le Mar is currently working on her new one woman show "In My Shoes", which will premier at the Soho Theatre, West End on the 16th October 2011. It is expected the show will also undertake a national tour of the UK, and the USA in 2012-2013. Le Mar is also presently writing a TV sit-com called the "Ryan Sisters", which will go into production next year with a premier cast including singer/actress Michelle GayleMichelle Gayle
Michelle Patricia Gayle is a British recording artist, actress and author. Gayle had success as a Soul and R&B singer in the 1990s. She achieved seven Top 40 singles in the UK Singles Chart, her two biggest hits to date being "Sweetness" and "Do You Know"...
, actress/tv presenter Josie 'D' Arby, actress/singer (Eternal
Kéllé Bryan
Kéllé Bryan is a British singer turned actress and television personality, best known as a member of the girl group Eternal.-Biography:...
) Kelle Bryan
Kéllé Bryan
Kéllé Bryan is a British singer turned actress and television personality, best known as a member of the girl group Eternal.-Biography:...
, and comedian, radio broadcaster Eddie Nestor
Eddie Nestor
Eddie Nestor is an English actor, stand up comedian, TV and radio presenter, who is best known for his starring roles in The Real McCoy and Desmonds, as well as playing a small role in Trainspotting.He hosted...
, as well as Le Mar herself. The show will premier as a preview theatre production at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon in March 2012.