Cleve September (born 15 October 1993) is a South African-born actor. He originated the role of John Laurens/Philip Hamilton in the West End production of Hamilton. For his performance, he was nominated for Laurence Olivier and WhatsOnStage Awards. He also played Sonny in In the Heights.
Early life and education September was born in South Africa and moved to London at the age of 8. When he was younger, September was interested in sports, particularly basketball, rugby and sprint.
September attended the BRIT School. He went on to graduate from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre.
Career
Musical theatre September made his professional debut in In the Heights, playing the role of Sonny. The show started its run at the Southwark Playhouse and September joined for its transfer to the Kings Cross Theatre in 2015. Original cast included David Bedella as Kevin Rosario, Eve Polycarpou as Abuela Claudia, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as Daniela and Sam Mackay as Usnavi.
The cast performed the song "96,000" at the Olivier Awards in 2016, where the show was nominated for Best New Musical.
In 2016 September play the role of Tommy Keeler in the Crucible Theatre production of Annie Get your Gun, with Anna-Jane Casey in the title role.
He was part of the ensemble in the summer production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Open Air Theatre in 2017. The show opened at the Open Air Theatre in 2016 and returned the following year, after a US tour and a short indoor run at the Barbican Theatre.
In 2018 September joined the cast of the UK premiere of Hamilton in the role of John Laurens/Philip Hamilton. For his performance he was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical in 2018 and the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical in 2019.
September joined the cast of Bonnie & Clyde as Ted Hinton at the Arts Theatre in 2023. The production followed a successful concert run of the show with Jeremy Jordan as Clyde and Frances Mayli McCann as Bonnie in 2022.
In 2023 September will be playing the role of Will in The Little Big Things, playing at Soho Place from September to November. The cast performed a few songs from the show at West End Live in June 2023.
Theatre credits +YearTitleRoleTheatre2015–2016In the HeightsSonny / us UsnaviKings Cross Theatre2016Annie Get Your GunTommy KeelerCrucible Theatre, Sheffield2017Jesus Christ SuperstarEnsembleRegent's Park Open Air Theatre2017–2019HamiltonJohn Laurens / Philip HamiltonVictoria Palace2020West Side StoryRiffRoyal Exchange Manchester2020Dick WhittingtonTom CatNational Theatre2022MillennialsMillennialThe Other Palace2022–2023Bonnie & ClydeTed HintonArts Theatre and Garrick Theatre2023The Little Big ThingsWill FraserSoho Place2024UshersGaryThe Other Palace2024Cliffs: A New Musical - WorkshopBillyThe Other Palace
Awards and nominations YearWorkAwardCategoryResult2016In the HeightsOlivier AwardsBest New Musical2018HamiltonOlivier AwardsBest Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical2019HamiltonWhatsOnStage AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Musical
References
External links Cleve September at Spotlight In the Heights London Jesus Christ Superstar - Open Air Theatre Bonnie & Clyde The Little Big Things