John Partridge (performer)

Infobox actor
name = John Partridge


imagesize = 165px
caption = John Partridge performing the role of "Rum Tum Tugger" in the 1998 film of the musical "CATS"
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birthdate = birth date and age|1971|7|24|df=yes
birthplace = Bury
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occupation = Singer, Dancer, Actor
yearsactive = 1988 - Present
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:"for others with the same name, see John Partridge

John Partridge (born July 24 1971 in Bury, England), is an English actor, who works predominantly as a singer and dancer in musical theatre, and best known for his portrayal of the character "Rum Tum Tugger" in the official film production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "CATS". Since January 2008, Partridge has been a cast member of the long running BBC television soap opera "EastEnders" playing Jane Beale's gay brother Christian Clarke.citation |date=November 20 2007 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/news_20071120_n1.shtml |periodical=BBC |title=Partridge to play Jane's brother |accessdate=2008-03-13 ] Partridge is openly gay.citation |title= 'Enders not copying Corrie's Sean Tully |date=December 8 2007 |first=Daniel |last=Kilkelly |accessdate=2008-03-13 |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a81364/enders-not-copying-corries-sean-tully.html ]

Professional career

Patridge initially trained in ballet at the Royal Ballet Lower School, appearing in the television adaptation of Stan Barstow's novel "A Kind of Loving" in 1982. He went on to train in musical theatre at the Bush Davies School of Performing Arts and Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts. He left college early at the age of 17, to join the cast of the original UK tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "CATS".

Partridge joined the touring cast of "Cats" in 1988 and was dance captain from 1989 to 1990. He played the roles of "Alonzo" and "Rumpus Cat" and understudied the roles of "Mr. Mistoffelees" and "Rum Tum Tugger". He later joined the West End production of the show at the New London Theatre, playing the roles of "Rum Tum Tugger" and "Munkustrap" and in 1998, he appeared as "Rum Tum Tugger" in the official film production of the show, produced by Lloyd Webber and filmed at the Adelphi Theatre. He later returned to the West End cast of the show prior to its closure in 2002 and has also appeared as "Rum Tum Tugger" in the German production at Düsseldorf.

Partridges TV appearances include, "The Hot Shoe Show", a documentary called "Aspects of Dancing", and BBC2 comedy "Game On" where he portrayed a predatory gay gym member attempting to chat up the sexually confused lead character Matthew. He has appeared in television commercials for Fox's Biscuits, Colgate Toothpaste, Maltesers and Cadbury's Twirl. He has also been a guest on daytime chat shows such as "This Morning" and "Pebble Mill".

He has worked with several rock and pop acts, including U2, Pet Shop Boys, Kim Wilde, Neneh Cherry, Pete Townshend, Mica Paris and Ultra Nate. He also has his own band, which has played the club circuit and records his own material. None of his own material has been released.

John Partridge is now playing the role of Christian (Jane's younger brother) in Eastenders.citation |date=November 20 2007 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/news_20071120_n1.shtml |periodical=BBC |title=Partridge to play Jane Beale's brother |accessdate=2008-03-13 ]

Theatre Credits

*Aladdin
*Hunting of the Snark - "Butcher", Prince Edward Theatre
*Starlight Express - ""Electra"", Apollo Victoria Theatre
*Tommy - "The Hawker" & "Captain Walker", Shaftesbury Theatre
*Grease - "Roger", Dominion Theatre
*The Fix - Donmar Warehouse
*Rent - "Roger Davis", Berlin (Germany)
*Notre Dame de Paris (musical) - "Gringoire", Dominion Theatre
*Black Goes with Everything - Churchill Theatre, Bromley
*Taboo - "Marilyn", The Venue
*Miss Saigon - UK Tour 2005
*The Drowsy Chaperone - Novello Theatre

Discography

*"The New Starlight Express" (1992) as Electra the Electric Train(CD)
*"Cats" (1998) as Rum Tum Tugger(DVD)
*"Rent" (1999) original German cast recording as Roger Davis (CD)
*"The Fix" original London cast recording(CD)
*"Taboo" (2003) as Marilyn (DVD)
*"Cats" Germany (2004) as Rum Tum Tugger

References

* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0664049/bio 'Biography for John Partridge', "Internet Movies Database"] Retrieved May 14 2005
* [http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/exeter/91/ 'Closing statement', "John Partridge Official Web Site" (1999)] Retrieved May 14 2005
* [http://cats.users5.50megs.com/john.htm Lin, Hui. 'John Partridge' "Hui's junkyard" (2000)] Retrieved May 14 2005

External links

*imdb name|id=0664049|name=John Partridge