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Christina Bennington

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Christina Bennington
Born (1992-01-30) 30 January 1992 (age 32)
Lisburn, Northern Ireland
OriginBelfast, Northern Ireland
GenresMusical theatre
Occupations
  • singer
  • actress
  • theatre performer
Years active2013–present
Websitewww.christinabennington.com

Christina Bennington (born 30 January 1992) is a Northern Irish actress and singer. She is best known for originating the lead role of Raven in Bat Out of Hell: The Musical, in various productions of the show from 2017 to 2019 in both the UK and North America.

Early and personal life

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Christina was born in Lisburn, just outside Belfast.[1] She attended Methodist College Belfast, where she served as head girl. She went on to study at Guildford School of Acting in Surrey,[2] graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre awarded by the University of Surrey.[3] She attributes her energy levels needed to perform 8 shows a week to a Pilates regime and vegan diet.[4]

Career

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Theatre

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Year Show Role Theatre Location
2013-14 A Christmas Carol Marilyn Birmingham Repertory Theatre Birmingham[5]
2014-15 Finian's Rainbow Sharon Union Theatre Off-West End
2015 The Smallest Show on Earth Marlene Hardcastle Mercury Theatre Colchester
2015 Oklahoma! Ensemble / Cover Laurey — UK National Tour[6]
2016 Show Boat Kim / Ensemble / Understudy Magnolia New London Theatre London[7]
2016 Sweeney Todd Johanna Derby Theatre / Mercury Theatre Derby / Colchester[8]
2017 Bat Out of Hell: The Musical Raven Manchester Opera House Manchester[9]
2017 London Coliseum West End[10]
2017-18 Ed Mirvish Theatre Toronto[11]
2018-19 Dominion Theatre West End[12]
2019-20 New York City Center New York[13]
2021 Heathers: The Musical Veronica Sawyer Theatre Royal Haymarket West End[14]

Bennington has starred as Raven in all English-language productions of Bat Out Of Hell The Musical since the show's launch in Manchester 2017, with the exception of the ill-fated 2018 North American tour (where Raven was played by Emily Schultheis), as this ran concurrently with the show's West End run at the Dominion Theatre, London.

The show's author / composer Jim Steinman is quoted to have said of her: "Christina is so petite but she's got an incredibly big voice and stage presence. She plays Raven with the perfect amount of youthful enthusiasm and coming of age curiosity. She's beautiful and strong."[15]

According to one of the musical's producers David Sonenberg, the show itself has been "unbelievably profitable" and by August 2018 had played to over 500,000 people.[16] It also broke box office records at the Dominion Theatre, taking £350,000 in its first day of ticket sales.[17]

Discography

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Bennington features heavily on the cast recording for Bat Out Of Hell The Musical in her role as Raven, singing the song Heaven Can Wait as a solo, duetting on the songs Making Love Out Of Nothing At All and For Crying Out Loud, and featuring as a lead in the songs It's All Coming Back To Me Now and I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That).[18]

In late 2018, Bennington joined two groups in recording charity singles - as one of The Celebs in a charity record Rock With Rudolph, which was written and produced by Grahame and Jack Corbyn. It was a Christmas song which aimed to raise funds for the Great Ormond Street Hospital and was released digitally on independent record label Saga Entertainment on 30 November 2018. The music video debuted exclusively with The Sun on 29 November 2018, and had its first TV showing on Good Morning Britain on 30 November 2018. The song peaked at number two on the iTunes pop chart.[19] She also participated in the "West End Friends" recording the Carole King song You Got A Friend to raise money for Barnardo's.[20][21][22]

In 2020 amid the COVID-19 crisis Bennington returned to join The Celebs which now included Frank Bruno and X Factor winner Sam Bailey to raise money for both Alzheimer's Society and Action for Children. They recorded a new rendition of Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin' Stevens and it was released digitally on 11 December 2020, on independent record label Saga Entertainment. The music video debuted exclusively on Good Morning Britain the day before release. The song peaked at number two on the iTunes pop chart.[23][24]

Televised theatre performances

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She also appeared as Raven in several televised performances of songs from Bat Out Of Hell. On UK television, this includes appearances on Tonight at the London Palladium,[25] This Morning,[26] Britain's Got Talent,[27] and as one of the contributing acts in the 2018 Proms In The Park, accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra.[28] And on US television, as part of the cast performing on The Today Show.[29]

Concerts

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Bennington performed two sold out solo shows at The Crazy Coqs in London on January 7, 2019.[30]

Television

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Bennington portrays Cortana in season 2 of Halo.[31]

Awards and nominations

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Bennington was nominated for "Understudy of the Year" in the BroadwayWorld UK awards for Magnolia in Showboat at the New London Theatre in 2016.[32]

For her role as Raven in Bat Out Of Hell The Musical, Bennington received nominations for "Best Actress in a Musical" in two award ceremonies: the 2017 BroadwayWorld UK Awards,[33] and the 2018 WhatsOnStage Awards.[34] The show Bat Out Of Hell The Musical won The Evening Standard's "Best Musical" award in 2017, and Bennington accepted the award alongside co-star Andrew Polec.[35]

References

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  1. ^ "Ulster actress steps into the lead role in London West End musical | Belfast News Letter". 19 February 2020. Archived from the original on 19 February 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  2. ^ Noble, Daniel (19 June 2017). "Meet the Belfast actress playing a star role in the West End". belfastlive. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  3. ^ "Christina Bennington". University of Surrey. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  4. ^ "West End Bat Out of Hell Star Christina Bennington on Finding Her 'Full-Throttle Rock Belt' for the Jim Steinman Musical". Broadway.com. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  5. ^ "A Christmas Carol (Closed January 04, 2014) | Birmingham | reviews, cast and info | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  6. ^ "Rehearsal Pics: Cast of Oklahoma! prepare for UK Tour | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  7. ^ Aguinaldo. "SHOW BOAT, London, To Jan 7 2017". Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  8. ^ "News | Derby Theatre". www.derbytheatre.co.uk. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  9. ^ Bourne, Dianne (15 March 2017). "Review: Bat Out of Hell The Musical at Manchester Opera House". men. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Andrew Polec & Christina Bennington Will Star in Jim Steinman's Bat Out of Hell—The Musical Next Year in London". Broadway.com. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  11. ^ Média, Bell. "Bat Out Of Hell Interview". www.iheartradio.ca. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  12. ^ Clement, Olivia (4 December 2017). "Jim Steinman's Bat Out Of Hell Musical to Return to London's West End". Playbill. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  13. ^ BWW News Desk. "Andrew Polec, Christina Bennington, and More Set For BAT OUT OF HELL at City Center". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  14. ^ Wood, Alex (16 June 2021). "Heathers musical to open in the West End with social distancing despite roadmap delay". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  15. ^ Média, Bell. "Jim Steinman On How 'Bat Out Of Hell The Musical' Got Its Wings". www.iheartradio.ca. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  16. ^ Beech, Mark. "Business Lessons From 'Jim Steinman's Bat Out Of Hell' -- Meat Loaf Show That Almost Never Happened". Forbes. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  17. ^ BWW News Desk. "BAT OUT OF HELL Breaks Dominion Box Office Record". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  18. ^ "Various - Jim Steinman's Bat Out Of Hell: The Musical (Original Cast Recording)". Discogs. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  19. ^ "TV stars sing for Great Ormond Street Christmas charity single". ITV News. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  20. ^ BWW News Desk. "West End Stars Unite For Charity Single In Aid Of Barnardo's". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  21. ^ "TV stars sing for Great Ormond Street Christmas charity single". 30 November 2018.
  22. ^ "The Celebs - Rock With Rudolph". YouTube. TheCelebsVEVO. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  23. ^ "Good Morning Britain stars show off their vocals in charity Christmas single". Daily Mirror. 10 November 2020.
  24. ^ "The Celebs - Merry Christmas Everyone". YouTube. TheCelebsVEVO. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  25. ^ "Tonight at the Palladium - S4 - Episode 7". Radio Times. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  26. ^ Tube, Stage. "VIDEO: The Cast of BAT OUT OF HELL Finds Love on This Morning". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  27. ^ BWW News Desk. "VIDEO: BAT OUT OF HELL Does it All for Love on Britain's Got Talent". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  28. ^ "BBC Radio 3 - BBC Proms, 2018, Musicals at Proms in Hyde Park". BBC. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  29. ^ Meyer, Dan (12 August 2019). "Bat Out of Hell Performs 'I'd Do Anything for Love' on The Today Show". Playbill. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  30. ^ Downes, Charlotte. "BWW Review: CHRISTINA BENNINGTON, The Crazy Coqs". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  31. ^ Sánchez, Kate (8 February 2024). "Halo Season 2 Premiere Review". But Why Tho?. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  32. ^ ""All the world's a stage" - a host of young talent from Northern Ireland nominated in UK Theatre Awards". TheatreNI. 14 November 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  33. ^ BWW News Desk. "Shortlist Announced For The 2017 BroadwayWorld UK Awards; Voting Now Open!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  34. ^ "Nominees announced for the 18th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  35. ^ "Bat Out of Hell stars discuss dramatic on-stage mishap". Evening Standard. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
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