Profiles - Andrew Ryan

Born in Bradford, Andrew began his career at the Famous City Varieties, Leeds, and since then has worked in the West End, on television, in repertory, musicals and pantomime.
He has just finished a run at the Lyceum Theatre Sheffield in JACK AND THE BEANSTALK playing ‘Dame Trott’ as well as directing the show.

Last year Andrew toured as ‘Robert’ in DANGEROUS CORNER and appeared in two Durbridge thrillers HOUSE GUEST and DEADLY NIGHTCAP. Andrew recently toured in WHO KILLED AGATHA CHRISTIE? playing ‘Arthur Christie’, THE SMALL HOURS as ‘Oliver Radford’, and TRAP FOR A LONELY MAN playing ‘The Priest’. Other recent appearances include ‘Roger’ in Willy Russell's comedy ONE FOR THE ROAD and ‘Richard Winthrop’ in Arnold Ridley's famous thriller THE GHOST TRAIN on its national tour. He played ‘Josh's Teacher’ in Granada TV's series MY PARENTS ARE ALIENS, and ‘Prince Albert’ in DOCTOR WHO – DALEK EMPIRE, THE MUTANT PHASE for BBC audio.

In the West End Andrew played ‘Giles Ralston’ in THE MOUSETRAP for a year at the St. Martin's Theatre. He has appeared in many Agatha Christie productions including MURDER AT THE VICARAGE as ‘the Vicar’, THE HOLLOW as John Christow, THE UNEXPECTED GUEST as Inspector Thomas, SPIDER’S WEB as ‘Oliver Costello’, BLACK COFFEE as ‘Captain Hastings’ and TOWARDS ZERO as ‘Thomas Royd’.

Other thrillers include playing ‘John Wheeler’ in NIGHTWATCH, ‘Sydney Bruhl’ in Ira Levin's DEATHTRAP, ‘Lesgate’ in DIAL M FOR MURDER, ‘Roat’ in WAIT UNTIL DARK, ‘Mark Driscoll’ in DANGEROUS OBSESSION, ‘Bill Yorke’ in SWEET REVENGE, ‘Robert’ in J.B. Priestley's DANGEROUS CORNER, ‘Gerald’ in THE GENTLE HOOK, ‘Gus’ in FATAL ATTRACTION and ‘Edward Kimberley’ in THE CREEPER.

Andrew appeared in the first repertory production of MADNESS OF KING GEORGE playing ‘Fitzroy’.
Among the many musicals he has appeared in, his roles range from playing ‘Brad’ in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (during its long running UK tour and Israel season), and ‘Riff Raff’ (on the European tour) to ‘Lily Lacquer’ in the '60' s Musical ROCK HARD at the Theatre Royal, Lincoln. In JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, he played ‘Issachar’ and ‘the Butler’, in LOCK UP YOUR DAUGHTERS he played ‘Sotmore’, and the roles of ‘Otto’ in HANS ANDERSEN, ‘William’ in PERCHANCE TO DREAM and toured in GODSPELL.

Comedies include ‘Mr Needham’ in NO SEX PLEASE, WE’RE BRITISH, ‘Stanley’ in" A BEDFULL OF FOREIGNERS, ‘Troughton’ in RUN FOR YOUR WIFE, ‘Sergeant Towers’ in SEE HOW THEY RUN, ‘Bus Driver’ in OUR DAY OUT, ‘Malcolm Thomas’ in HAVING A BALL, ‘Jeff Shotter’ in STRAIGHT AND NARROW, ‘Bernie’ in LADIES NIGHT and ‘Jack’ in CHARLEY’S AUNT.

Andrew has appeared in twenty two pantomime seasons. For the past sixteen years has played Dame, at many theatres including Lincoln Theatre Royal, Swansea Grand, Lewisham Theatre, Theatre Royal Bath, Bournemouth Pavilion, Lyceum Sheffield (three times) and Kenneth More Theatre Ilford.