Colchester: Amanda chuffed with play win despite no solo success (From Essex County Standard)

Colchester: Amanda chuffed with play win despite no solo success

9:00am Friday 12th June 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

A former Colchester schoolgirl turned Broadway actress has missed out on a Tony award.

Amanda Root had been nominated for best performance by a featured actress for her role in Alan Ayckbourn’s Norman Conquests.

Up against fellow Brits Angela Lansbury and Royle Family actress Jessica Hynes, the award went to the Murder She Wrote star at the ceremony in New York, for her performance in Blithe Spirit.

But there was good news for the former Philip Morant pupil, as her play took home the award for best revival.

Her father Ken, who still lives in Colchester, said the 47-year-old had been thrilled.

“She knew she wasn't going to get the best performance award,” he said.

“So she was dead chuffed that the play won – it came out of the blue.

“I'm very proud of her.”

He added: “My wife Maureen was able to go and she said it was the most wonderful thing she'd ever seen.”

Ms Root, who studied drama A Level at Colchester Institute, has had a varied and successful career since her schooldays in the town.

She has starred opposite leading men including Ralph Fiennes and Daniel Day-Lewis, and in 1988 became the Royal Shakespeare Company’s youngest Lady Macbeth.

Her film credits include the 1996 version of the Charlotte Bronte novel Jane Eyre and she has appeared in TV programmes including The Buddha of Suburbia, Little Britain and the Forsyte Saga.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)