Richard Dempsey

Biography

Dempsey's first role was as Peter Pevensie in the BBC's adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 1988. The following year, he appeared in the adaptation of Prince Caspian. His other UK TV appearances have included Doc Martin, Dracula, Sherlock Holmes (The Last Vampyre), Crime Traveller, Island at War and Egypt.

He made his professional stage debut in the role of Jack in the Original London production of the award-winning musical Into the Woods with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim at The Phoenix Theatre in London's West End. After training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama he starred as Nick Piazza in the West End hit musical Fame in (original cast) and as Ugly in the musical Honk!

He has since performed in a large variety of roles in television, film and on stage (e.g. with the Royal Shakespeare Company, The National Theatre, Michael Grandage Company, Frantic Assembly and Propeller). In the Michael Grandage West End production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" he played Peter Quince opposite David Walliams as Bottom and as Mr Bucket in Sam Mendes West End production of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" at The Theatre Royal Dury Lane.

In Rob Ashford's Chichester Festival Theatre production of "A Damsel In Distress" he played Reggie Byng. "absolutely pitch perfect in every way. The stage lights up when he enters, and he lands every line with skilful precision. This one of the great character performances of the musical stage in some time. Flawless is not an overstatement." British Theatre Guide, "Richard Dempsey adorable as Reggie" Financial Times, "Richard Dempsey"s silly ass is the essence of adorability" The Sunday Times.

In the London revival of TS Eliot's "The Cocktail Party' he played Edward Chamberlain at The Print Room at The Coronet directed by Abby Wright.

He also starred in Mark Ravenhill's Citizenship at Royal National Theatre, and toured with the production to Hong Kong. Dempsey appeared in the original cast of the stage adaptation of Eleanor Bergstein's Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych Theatre in London's West End playing Neil Kellerman.

Dempsey appeared in Edward Hall's all-male productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Merchant of Venice, playing Titania and Lorenzo, touring to New York's Brooklyn Academy of Music, Tokyo, Rome, Athens, Milan, Galway and throughout the UK. “The moonlit romantic scene in the last act between Jessica and her husband, Lorenzo, played with a light ease by Richard Dempsey, is an unexpected high point.”-The New York Times .He played opposite Josefina Gabrielle as The Rt Hon Gerald Bolingbroke in the Sheffield Crucible's production of Me and My Girl.

Returning to Propeller he played Hermione in The Winter's Tale alongside Henry V at the Hampstead Theatre in London and toured the productions to Australia, New Zealand and China. "Richard Dempsey's Hermione, whose appeal against the accusation of adultery is handled with an exquisite balance of bewilderment, dignity and despair."- The Guardian

In the Southwark Playhouse production of Victor Victoria he starred as Toody. "The real star of the evening is Richard Dempsey whose turn as Toddy is both hilarious and uplifting" Whats On Stage "Richard Dempsey as Toddy is so endearing you want to hug him" - The Telegraph

Richard Dempsey's voice can be heard on the Original UK Cast Recordings of Into the woods, Fame, Honk!, Just So, Dirty Dancing, and the concert recording of A Spoonful of Stiles and Drewe.