Courtney Jane Stapleton (born 27 August 1993) is a British actress, singer, dancer and photographer. She is best known for playing Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast stage musical in 2022.
Early life and education Stapleton attended Cornwallis Academy and joined the local Hazlitt Youth Theatre. She went on to train at the Arts Educational School (ArtsEd), graduating in 2014.
Career
Stapleton made her West End debut in the cast of Mamma Mia in 2015, covering the role of Ali, as well as being part of the ensemble for the show.
She joined the ensemble of Bat Out of Hell in 2017 with the show touring the UK and returning to London twice, at the Coliseum (2017) and the Dominion Theatre (2018).
In October 2019 she moved to the cast of Dear Evan Hansen, premiering in the UK with Sam Tutty making his West End debut in the title role.
Stapleton was announced to have been cast as Belle in the revival of Disney's Beauty and the Beast in 2022. Fellow cast members for this production were Gavin Lee as Lumiere, Sam Bailey as Mrs Potts. The production started as a UK and Ireland tour, subsequently moving to the London Palladium for the 2022 summer season. This version of the show featured new designs and new dance arrangements, including a tap dance moment during "Be Our Guest", specifically created for Gavin Lee.
In June 2023 it was announced that Stapleton will join the cast of the summer concert staging of Love Never Dies as Meg Giry. The version of the musical will be held at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and will star Norm Lewis as Phantom and Celinde Schoenmaker as Christine.
Theatre credits +YearTitleRoleTheatre2015Mamma MiaEnsemble/ Cover AliNovello Theatre2016Les MiserablesEnsemble/ Cover EponineQueen's Theatre2017 - 2018Bat Out of HellEnsemble/ Dance Captain / cover GoddesillaWest End and International Tour2019SixSwing (Parr and Seymour)Arts Theatre2019Dear Evan HansenStandby Zoe Murphy and Alana BeckNoël Coward Theatre2020The ThrowawaysAudreyThe Other Palace2022Beauty and the BeastBelleUK Tour and London Palladium2023Love Never Dies in concertMeg GiryTheatre Royal, Drury Lane2024Avalon First Look ConcertMorgan Le FayPhoenix Arts Club2025The Mad OnesKelly ManningThe Other Palace
Awards and nominations YearWorkAwardCategoryResult2022Beauty and the BeastBlack British Theatre AwardsLGBTQIA Champion Award 2022Beauty and the BeastBlack British Theatre AwardsBest Female Actor in a Musical 2022Beauty and the BeastBroadwayWorld UK / West End AwardsBest Leading Performer in a New Production of a Musical
References