Craig Purnell

Last updated
Craig Purnell
Born18 March 1972 (age 51)
Bristol, UK
NationalityBritish
EducationPortway Community School Mountview Theatre School
Occupation(s)Actor, singer, performer, and entrepreneur
Known forMulti award-winning actor and performer

Craig Purnell (born 18 March 1972) is a British actor and businessman [1] who gained recognition for his achievements in musical theatre and later transitioned into various roles, including CEO positions in business ventures. Purnell is also a two-time WhatsOnStage award winner. Along with film, TV, and radio work, Purnell has an extensive list of play/musical stage credits in original, original revival, world, and European premiere productions, which include Oliver! [1] [2] (London Palladium), Martin Guerre [1] (Prince Edward), Silhouette (UK Tour), Oklahoma! [1] (National Theatre and Lyceum), The Secret Garden [1] [3] (RSC and Aldwych), Honk! (Watermill), The Cutting Edge (Donmar Warehouse), Floyd Collins, and Songs for a New World (Bridewell). He has also performed in two Royal Variety Performances. [1] [2]

Contents

Early life and career

Early Career

Purnell began his performing arts journey by winning the Sea Mills disco dancing trophy as a child. He spent almost ten years with Bristol Light Opera Company Junior's and Bristol Youth Theatre until the age of 19, mentored by Sally Noble and Chris Northam. [2] [3] [4]

His early professional roles included appearances in the HTV series “ Robin of Sherwood ” and as the Young Andrea Sarti in the Bristol Old Vic's production of Berthold Brecht's “ The Life of Galileo ” [5] at 14, alongside Martin Clunes and Barry Stanton. Financial constraints led him to work in insurance to afford drama school. Eventually, he attended Mountview Theatre School in Crouch End, North London, with numerous scholarships. [5] [4]

Theatre and Acting Career

During his training at Mountview, Purnell caught the attention of Stiles and Drewe, who selected him to portray the lead character 'Ugly' in the original production of the Olivier Award-winning musical “Honk!”, originally titled “The Ugly Duckling” at The Watermill Theatre, Newbury. Following his graduation from Mountview, Purnell's initial professional engagement was in the BBC sitcom “ Nice Day at the Office ,” where he played Trevor alongside Timothy Spall and John Sessions. [4]

After seven auditions, director Sam Mendes chose Purnell to join the original cast of “Oliver!” at the London Palladium. Over the next five years, he gained experience in television, film, and advertisements while playing various roles, including covering lead roles in original, worldwide premiere casts and award-winning productions. Notable performances included Martin Gurre in Boubil and Schonberg's production at The Prince Edward Theatre, a role in Simon Brett's play “Silhouette” alongside Stephanie Beecham, and Fred in Trevor Nunn and Susan Stroman's production of “Oklahoma!” at the National Theatre, where he covered for actors like Iain Glen, Hugh Dennis, and Hugh Jackman.

After the transfer of “Oklahoma!” to the Lyceum Theatre, Purnell left the cast to pursue lead-playing opportunities. This decision led to his portrayal of Homer in the European premiere of Adam Guettel's musical “Floyd Collins” at the Bridewell Theatre, gaining critical acclaim and catching the attention of the Royal Shakespeare Company casting department.

In 2000, Purnell was cast as Dickon in The Royal Shakespeare Company's European premiere of Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon's “The Secret Garden” [5] at Stratford Upon Avon. The production broke box office records, running for three months over the Christmas period before transferring to The Aldwych Theatre, London in 2001. Following this success, [3] Purnell took on the musically diverse lead role of Man 1 in Jason Robert Brown's European premiere of “Songs for a New World” at The Bridewell Theatre. [6] In early 2002, he achieved a remarkable feat, being nominated for and winning both Best Actor in a Musical for “Songs for a New World” [6] and Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for “The Secret Garden” [3] at the WhatsOnStage Awards, making him the sole actor to achieve this double victory in the awards' 24-year history. [1] [2]

Business Ventures

From June 2006 to August 2010, he served as the Commercial Director at CW Publishing Group in London. Here, Purnell managed sales, cultivated market relationships, [7] and oversaw advertising programs for global publications and websites. [7] Subsequently, he founded Refresh Media Ltd and held the CEO position from 2010 to 2018. In this London-based role, Purnell collaborated with major companies including The Walt Disney Company, Tesco, Alliance Boots, Bayer, HSBC, and L'Oréal. [7]

Simultaneously, Purnell served as vice president at Bristol City Football Club from 2011 to 2015, contributing valuable support in commercial and football matters and establishing connections within stadium boardrooms across the UK. Since February 2021, Purnell has been the chairman of Olderwood Investment Group, guiding investment strategies in small to medium-sized businesses. This progression reflects Purnell's multifaceted career, showcasing his leadership roles in investment, marketing, sports, entertainment and publishing. [8] [9] [4]

Other acclaimed stage credits

  • European Premiere of Guettel's Myths and Hymns at Finborough Theatre, London [9]
  • Transfer from The Bridewell Theatre to the Donmar Warehouse of The Cutting Edge [9]
  • The Ultimate Man - World Premiere of Paul Gambaccini's The Ultimate Man [9]
  • Seasons at Leicester Haymarket Theatre under Paul Kerryson, including Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George, Peter Pan and To Kill a Mockingbird [9]
  • Participated in productions at Derby Playhouse, Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, Company, and utilizing Purnell's unique comedic talent in his show-stealing turn as the Porter in Shakespeare's Macbeth. [9]
  • Royal Variety Performances   [4]

Filmography

Discography

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Craig Purnell: Credits, Bio, News & More | Broadway World". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Irresistible - but it could have been better". The Telegraph. 2001-03-01. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Wolf, Matt (2001-03-05). "The Secret Garden". Variety. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "DKNY'S STAGE FIGHT". British Vogue. 2004-05-10. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  5. 1 2 3 "Production of The Life of Galileo | Theatricalia". theatricalia.com. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  6. 1 2 Gibbons, Fiachra; correspondent, arts (2002-02-06). "McCutcheon's Eliza fails to win over theatregoers and critics". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Two are jailed after ecstasy find". 2004-06-11. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  8. ↑ "The model of a modern G&S". The Telegraph. 2007-01-09. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Macbeth. Playhouse, Derby. Romeo And Juliet, Repertory". The Independent. 2005-10-17. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Craig Purnell | Actor". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
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