Set to be one of the West End’s new rising stars, Lauren Samuels was a finalist on the popular BBC1 show Over the Rainbow. During the series, in which Andrew Lloyd Webber searched for a leading lady to star in The Wizard of Oz, Lauren consistently wowed the judges with her stunning performances week after week. Watched by millions, she beat thousands of ‘Dorothy’ hopefuls to become one of the final three and after finishing the programme has gone on to pursue her lifelong ambition to perform in the West End. Having impressed the show’s producers and creative team, Lauren will leave audiences hopelessly devoted to Grease when she makes her West End debut this summer. Lauren trained at the Guildford School of Acting and last year made her professional stage debut as ‘Wendy’ in the Christmas production of Peter Pan at the Curve (Leicester).

Looking forward to her role, Lauren says: ‘I am so unbelievably excited to be joining the wonderful cast of Grease. It was one of the first musicals I was taken to see as a young child and so to be given the opportunity to recreate the iconic role of ‘Sandy’ and to make my West End debut in the show, is a dream come true. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!’

Producer David Ian says: 'I'm thrilled that Lauren is joining the cast of Grease as Sandy. I know audiences will love her performance in the most fun show in London'.
Grease celebrates its third birthday in London this summer, having returned to the West End on 25 July 2007 (with a press night on 8 August). Since its premiere the feel-good audience favourite has been seen by over 1 million theatregoers at the Piccadilly Theatre, where it continues to enjoy huge popularity. Now in its third (soon to be fourth) electrifying year, Grease is the longest running show in the venue’s history.

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