Shani Wallis

Infobox actor


imagesize = 150px
name = Shani Wallis
birthdate = Birth date and age|1933|4|14|df=y
location =
deathdate =
birthname = Shani Wallis
othername =
homepage =
notable role = Nancy in the 1968 musical movie "Oliver!"

Shani Wallis (born 14 April, 1933 in Tottenham, London) is an English actress and singer, who released several records in the 1950s.

Making her first stage appearance at the age of 4, she later studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) on a scholarship, and went on to play many leading lady roles in the West End, but she is best known for the role of "Nancy" in Carol Reed's 1968 production of Lionel Bart's musical "Oliver!" which co starred Ron Moody, Harry Secombe, Oliver Reed, Jack Wild, and Mark Lester.

She is a naturalized citizen of the United States, where she has lived for many years. She has been married to agent Bernie Rich since 1965; they have one child Rebecca and two granddaughters. She is also the sister of jazz drummer, Leon Roy.

Theatre

* "Call Me Madam", London Coliseum (played "Princess Marie") with Billie Worth, Anton Walbrook, Jeff Warren & Arthur Lowe.
* "Happy As A King", at the Princes Theatre, London (played "Juliet") with Fred Emney, Eve Lister, Warren Mitchell, etc.
* "Wonderful Town", (1953) London Casino (played "Fay Tomkin") with Pat Kirkwood, Bruce Trent, Elizabeth Larner, Dickie Henderson
* "Irma La Douce", (1961) Lyric Theatre (played "Irma La Douce") with Joe Melia, Harry Goodier, Denis Quilley, Julian Orchard.
* "Fine Fettle", (1959) Palace Theatre with Benny Hill, Vivienne Martin, Rose Hill, Robertson Hare, Peter Vernon, etc.
* "Green Room Rags", Princes Theatre (1954) with Bruce Trent, Beryl Reid, Larry Adler, Sally Barnes, David Nixon
* "The Dave King Show", London Hippodrome with Dave King, Pat Dahl, Jimmy Lee, etc.
* "Aladdin", (pantomime) Streatham Hill Theatre (played "Aladdin") with Hughie Green, Lauri Lupino Lane, George Truzzi
* "King Cole" (pantomime) - Palace Manchester (played "Miranda") with Alfred Marks, Tommy Cooper, Clarkson Rose, Gary Miller
* "Bus Stop", Golders Green Hippodrome (1958) (played "Cherie") with Graydon Gould, Robert Henderson. Dir: Sam Wanamaker.
* "You'll Be Lucky", Adelphi Theatre with Al Read, Lauri Lupino Lane, George Truzzi
* "Cowardy Custard", (1989) Theatre Royal Bath with John Clegg, Tony Adams, Jenny Logan, etc.
* "A Time for Singing", (1966) Broadway Theater, NYC - Opened May 12 and closed after 41 performances
* "Finian's Rainbow", (1958) Liverpool, New Shakespeare Theatre - (played "Sharon") with Bobby Howes
* "42nd Street", Drury Lane Theatre, London (played "Dorothy Brock") with Frankie Vaughan, Maxine Audley, Carol Ball and Barbara King
* "Always", (1996) Victoria Palace Theatre in London (played "Aunt Bessie") with Jan Hartley, Clive Carter and Sheila Ferguson.

Film

*"A King in New York" (played cabaret singer) with Charles Chaplain, Dawn Addams, Maxine Audley & Sid James
* "The Extra Day" with George Baker, Beryl Reid, Denis Lotis, Richard Basehart
* "Mayday at 40,000 Feet!" with David Janssen & Jane Powell
* "Arnold" with Roddy McDowall, Stella Stevens
* "Round Numbers" (played "Binki")
* "Terror in the Wax Museum" with Broderick Crawford
* "The Pebble and the Penguin" (Narrator)
* "Mojave Phone Booth" (Greta)
* "Walt Disney's " (vocal)
* "Walt Disney's Basil The Great Mouse Detective" (Voice of "Lady Mouse")

TV

* "Gunsmoke"
* "The Young and the Restless" (played "Frances the Governess")
* "Charlie's Angels" (Guest appearance as "Ellen Jason") with Gene Barry
* "Columbo"
* "Murder, She Wrote"
* "Night Gallery"
* "On The Move" with Jack Jones
* "The Ed Sullivan Show" - Where she was spotted and subsequently auditioned and won the part of Nancy in the 1968 film "Oliver!"

British TV

* "The Tom Jones Show"
* "Give Us a Clue" with Michael Parkinson
* "Highway" with Harry Secombe
* "The Morecambe and Wise Show"

Recordings

* "Oliver!", 1968 - Original film cast recording
* "The Girl From Oliver"
* "I'm a Girl!", Kapp Records Stereo KS-3472
* "Personality", "Please Don't Say No", "Don't Take Your Love Away From Me", "There Goes My Heart", with Wally Stott
* "Bell Bottom Blues"
* "Secondhand Rose"

External links

*imdb name|id=0908861|name=Shani Wallis
* [http://shani-wallis.2ya.com/ Simply Shani Fansite]