West End star: ‘Representation makes all possible’

A West End performer has reflected on how representation “makes all things possible” after winning a theatre award.

Buckinghamshire’s Shanay Holmes, who has just completed her run as Nancy in Oliver!, picked up a Black British Theatre Award for best female lead actor in a musical.

Growing up, the performer watched Shani Wallis play Nancy in the 1969 Oliver! film “every Christmas” but “never even allowed myself to dream of playing her as a woman of colour.”

She continued: “I think that’s why it’s so important that representation happens because we have to see ourselves… It makes anything possible. It makes all things possible.”

The ceremony itself was described by Holmes as “absolutely exceptional” and a “really moving and inspiring night”.

The evening included high-profile nominees and performers such as Beverly Knight, Alexandra Burke and Vanessa Williams.

Accepting her award on Sunday, Holmes gave an emotional speech where she thanked her mum, who “taught me to dream”.

She recalled that the first time she truly imagined herself on stage was when she saw Rosario Dawson play Mimi in Rent, because the star “sounded like me and she looked like me”.

“That’s what representation does… There’s been so many mixed-race and black women who have come to see the show that have said, ‘now I can imagine myself playing that role’ because they’ve seen someone who looks like them on stage.”

Holmes noted that she stands on the shoulders of those who came before her, specifically mentioning Sonia Swaby, who was the first Black Nancy, though she never had the chance to see her performance.

She added that playing a part like Nancy made her realise she had so much of her own “lived experience” she could bring to the role.

Holmes explained: “The more that I explored the role, the more I realised just how much of her was already in me.

“I think that women in society have a lot to face and manage. And I think black women in society have a tremendous amount to face and challenges.

“I’ve never felt more connected to a character in my whole career than I have with Nancy.”