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". The Stage praised her "sensual, heartbroken" portrayal and vocal power. 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

YearTitleRoleNotes
2009Thriller – LiveLyric Theatre, London
2014The BodyguardEnsembleAdelphi Theatre, London
2015Close to You: Bacharach ReimaginedCriterion Theatre, London
2016Jesus Christ SuperstarEnsembleRegent's Park Open Air Theatre, London
2016RentJoanne JeffersonUK tour / The Other Palace, London
2018Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour DreamcoatNarratorKilworth House, Leicestershire
2018The Wizard of OzGlinda / Aunt EmBirmingham Repertory Theatre, Birmingham
2019The Bridges of Madison CountyMarianMenier Chocolate Factory, London
2019High FidelityLauraTurbine Theatre, London
2021Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley MusicalCindy BreakspeareLyric Theatre, London
2023Miss SaigonEllenCrucible Theatre, Sheffield
2025Oliver!NancyChichester Festival Theatre / Gielgud Theatre, London
2026FameMiss ShermanTheatre Royal, Plymouth

Awards