Charles Joe Stemp (born 30 November 1993) is an English actor. Stemp came to prominence for his leading role as Arthur Kipps in the West End musical Half a Sixpence, which earned him a WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actor in a Musical and nomination for a 2017 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical.
Early life and education Stemp was born in Peckham and raised in Bexley, London. He attended the Belcanto London Academy Theatre School, and trained for three years at Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom. He is also a keen football and rugby player.
Acting career After graduating, Stemp performed in Wicked in London's West End and was cast as Eddie in the international tour of the musical Mamma Mia!. Stemp also appeared in the film Knarcolepsy.
Stemp appeared as the lead actor in Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Half a Sixpence, written by Julian Fellowes. He first performed the role at Chichester Festival Theatre from July to September 2016. In October 2016, the musical transferred to the Noël Coward Theatre in the West End, and extended its booking to 2 September 2017. For this role, Stemp won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical and was nominated for the 2017 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. In 2021, Fellowes rewrote the piece under the title Kipps (after the lead character Artie Kipps) and it was filmed for Sky Arts, with Stemp again in the title role.
Stemp appeared on Broadway in the revival of Hello, Dolly!, starting on 20 January 2018, officially on 22 February 2018, as Barnaby Tucker. He took over the role originally played by Taylor Trensch. This marked his Broadway debut.McPhee, Ryan. Bernadette Peters Is Broadway's New Hello, Dolly! Headliner Beginning January 20" Playbill (January 20) 2018 The show closed on 25 August 2018.
Stemp played the role of Bert in a West End revival of Mary Poppins opposite Zizi Strallen in the title role, at the Prince Edward Theatre. As one reviewer remarked, "Bert pulls off the impossible – tap-dancing upside down from one end of the proscenium arch to the other."
In 2022, Stemp was cast as Bobby Child in the Chichester Festival Theatre's production of Crazy for You which transferred to the Gillian Lynne Theatre in 2023. Stemp performed at the Royal Variety show in 2023.
Stemp starred as Bill Calhoun in the West End revival of Kiss Me, Kate at the Barbican Centre, opposite Stephanie J. Block and Adrian Dunbar. The production ran from 4 June to 14 September 2024.https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2024/event/kiss-me-kate
Charlie Stemp portrayed Alan-a-Dale in the London Palladium's 2024–2025 annual holiday pantomime production of "Robin Hood." The show ran from 7 December 2024, to 12 January 2025, and featured a star-studded cast, including Julian Clary as Robin Hood, Jane McDonald as Maid Marion, Marisha Wallace as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Nigel Havers as Friar Tuck, Paul Zerdin as Will Scarlet, Rob Madge as the Spirit of Sherwood, and Tosh Wanogho-Maud as Little John.
The production received positive reviews, with particular praise for its humor, extravagant costumes, and lively performances. One review highlighted Clary's comedic timing and Stemp's song-and-dance skills, noting that the show offered "great dances" and showcased Stemp as a "song and dance man of the old school."
Theatre Credits YearProductionRoleVenueNotes2013–14WickedEnsembleApollo Victoria Theatre West End2015Mamma Mia!EddieVariousInternational Tour2016Half a SixpenceArthur KippsChichester Festival Theatre Regional2016–17Noël Coward Theatre West End2017–18Dick WhittingtonDick WhittingtonLondon Palladium West End2018Hello, Dolly!Barnaby TuckerShubert Theatre Broadway2018–19Snow WhitePrince Harry of HampsteadLondon Palladium West End2019Rough CrossingDvornichekVariousUK Tour2019–23Mary PoppinsBertPrince Edward Theatre West End2020PantolandEnsembleLondon PalladiumWest End2022Crazy for YouBobby ChildChichester Festival Theatre Regional2023Gillian Lynne Theatre West End2024Kiss Me KateBill Calhoun/LucentioBarbican Centre London2024–25Robin HoodAlan-A-DaleLondon Palladium West End2025Dracula, A Comedy of TerrorsJonathan Harker Menier Chocolate Factory London2025–26CinderellaButtonsRichmond Theatre London
Accolades YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef2016UK Theatre AwardBest Performance in a MusicalHalf a Sixpence 2017Laurence Olivier AwardBest Actor in a Leading Role in a MusicalWhatsOnStage AwardBest Actor in a Musical 2018 Theatre World Award Outstanding Broadway Debut Hello, Dolly! 2020Laurence Olivier AwardBest Actor in a Leading Role in a MusicalMary Poppins 2023Evening Standard Theatre AwardBest Musical PerformanceCrazy for You2024Laurence Olivier AwardBest Actor in a Musical
See also List of British actors
References