‘Baubles, Bangles and Beads’ - Stage Legend; Sheila Bradley

Sheila Bradley is one of the country's most experienced and best-loved music theatre stars, with a career that has spanned 70 years working all over the world.

Born in Essex, U.K., Sheila was brought to Australia in the 1950s by J.C. Williamson's to play the lead in Grab Me a Gondola. She had an established career as a lead singer with the George Mitchell Singers and playing Lalume in Kismet opposite Alfred Drake in the West End.

Sheila quickly decided on Australia as home, and so begun a litany of leading roles in plays and musical theatre around the country. Sheila was the nation’s original Nancy in Oliver, playing opposite Johnny Lockwood as Fagin. Celebrated turns include Princess Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress, Anna Leonowens in The King and I, Sharon Mclonegran in Finian’s Rainbow, Vera Charles in Mame, and Mrs Peachum in The Threepenny Opera. Performances in revue at the Phillip Street theatre, alongside colleagues Gordon Chater, Johnny Ladd and June Salter, confirmed her position as a fine comedienne with a dynamic voice.

Her indelible presence made it’s mark in productions right up to the early 2000s with performances of The Wizard of Oz, Nunsense 2, Crazy For You, Jolson, Hello Dolly!, Follies in Concert, Me and My Girl, My Fair Lady, The Pirates of Penzance, and in pantomime and theatre restaurant.

Sheila is one of Australia’s much loved and enduring performers. She recently celebrated her 90th birthday and retains the energy, humour and passion that made her a star several decades ago. It was indeed a tremendous privilege to share a couple of hours with the wonderful Sheila Bradley.
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