In 2002, Sheila Francisco was handpicked by no less than Sir Trevor Nunn to play Bloody Mary in the Royal National Theatre’s production of South Pacific. She is the first Filipino to perform in the prestigious Olivier Theatre to rave reviews. The review that thrills her the most, though, is the one where she was cited as one of “two gifted ladies whose performances let-rip” by Variety – the other lady being Dame Judi Dench! After five years, Sheila is excited and looking forward to reprising her role as Bloody Mary in UK Productions’ South Pacific (UK tour).
Sheila’s gift has landed her in numerous musicals in the Asian region where she is from. In the last four years, she starred in Singapore’s most successful musicals: Forbidden City – Portrait of an Empress, Twist of Fate (Laurence Olivier winner, Anthony Drewe wrote a song especially for Sheila because he was simply inspired with her voice) and Snow Queen. Sheila has performed in Japan, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Malaysia and Brunei. Other works include: The Vagina Monologues, Once on This Island, High School Musical, Chang and Eng, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Little Mermaid, Menopause the Musical, Honk, Joseph the Dreamer, First Name, Widows, Orphans and Wildebeests, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Il Divino, Godspell, Rama at Sita, Lives. She has also done many original Filipino musicals and plays, recordings and concerts. She gives all glory and honour and praise to God Almighty who is the author and finisher of her faith.
