Hayley Gallivan is a Welsh (Cymraeg) born and speaking singer and actress, who is best known for staring as an Understudy for Elphaba in Wicked: The Musical, for the West End production, alongside various other theatrical performances.
Early Career[]
Hayley is originally from Swansea (Abertawe). She started dance at the age of four with the Pearl Wiseman Stage School, where she performed in many shows. She then studied ballet, tap and modern dance at the Maria Evans Dance Academy for 11 years. In 2001 she performed her way to the All England Dance Festival finals held in the Peacock Theatre, London, winning four gold medals and one silver medal. She also gained invaluable experience at the Mark Jermin Stage School.
At 18 Hayley was thrilled to win the Dunvant Male Voice Choir, Welsh Musical Theatre Young Singer of the Year in 2005 and was honoured to be invited back as a guest performer the following two years. She graduated this year from Arts Educational where she attained a first class honours degree in musical theatre.
Whilst in Arts she played Eve in Children of Eden, Mrs Machin in The Card, Muzzy Van Hossmere in Thoroughly Modern Millie and ensemble in Carousel. She also performed in the all-star cast of The Follies at the London Palladium and was chosen to represent the school in the Stephen Sondheim Singing Competition.
Her first professional work was at the Regent’s Park Theatre, London, performing in Lady Be Good and as Nancy in The Boy Friend. The role of Alice Fitzwarren in Dick Whittington at the Swansea Grand soon followed.
Wicked[]
On the 29th October 2012, the West End production of Wicked launched its day of cast change. Hayley was part of the new cast as the Standby for Elphaba, who was now being portrayed by the returning Louise Dearman. Hayley starred alongside Gina Beck and Lucy van Gasse as Glinda. Hayley announced that when her contract was to end in October 2013, she would leave the musical to star as Nancy in the Sheffield Crucible's revival of Oliver. Hayley's final performance as Elphaba ended on Saturday 5th October 2013.
Videos[]
Hayley Gallivan & Gina Beck - Defying Gravity 29.04.2013
Hayley Gallivan - Final Elphaba Performance Highlights