# Joanna Woodward (actress)
**Joanna Woodward** is an English musical theater actress and singer known for playing Clare in the West End premiere of *The Time Traveller's Wife* and Ulla in the Menier Chocolate Factory and Garrick Theatre revival of *The Producers*.[1](https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/joanna-woodward/) She grew up in [Glastonbury](https://www.edgepedia.org/glastonbury), Somerset, and trained in Acting and Musical Theatre at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, graduating in 2009.[2](https://www.stagefaves.com/performers/joanna-woodward/) • [3](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/actor/joanna-woodward)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Training | Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Acting and Musical Theatre, BA Honours, graduated 2009[2](https://www.stagefaves.com/performers/joanna-woodward/) • [3](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/actor/joanna-woodward) |
| Background | Grew up in Glastonbury, Somerset; attended St Dunstan's School and Bridgwater College[4](https://www.theblackmorevale.co.uk/west-end-star-joanna-woodward-answers-the-random-19-questions/) |
| Breakout lead | Clare in *The Time Traveller's Wife* (2022-2023, Storyhouse Chester and Apollo Theatre)[1](https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/joanna-woodward/) |
| West End comedy lead | Ulla in *The Producers* (2024-2025, Menier Chocolate Factory and Garrick Theatre, directed by Patrick Marber)[1](https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/joanna-woodward/) |
| Other lead roles | Audrey in *Little Shop of Horrors* (2011); Mary in *The Life* (2017); Margaret in *Fings Ain't What They Used T'Be* (2014)[1](https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/joanna-woodward/) |
| Understudy-to-lead track | Understudied and played Carole King in *Beautiful* (Aldwych Theatre) and Vivian Ward in *Pretty Woman: The Musical* (Piccadilly and Savoy Theatres)[1](https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/joanna-woodward/) • [5](https://www.westendtheatre.com/154320/star-watch/joanna-woodward/) |
| Cabaret work | Performed as burlesque compere and singer Coco DuBois in *The Hurly Burly Show* (Duchess Theatre, 2012) and *An Evening of Burlesque* tour[1](https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/joanna-woodward/) • [2](https://www.stagefaves.com/performers/joanna-woodward/) |
## Training and early career
Woodward attended St Dunstan's School and Bridgwater College before training at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.[4](https://www.theblackmorevale.co.uk/west-end-star-joanna-woodward-answers-the-random-19-questions/) Her early stage work included repertory-style musical roles in Phil Wilmott productions at the Newbury Corn Exchange: Princess Clara in *Puss in Boots* (2009) and Princess Rose in *Sleeping Beauty* (2010), followed by Audrey in *Little Shop of Horrors* at Kilworth House Theatre (2011).[1](https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/joanna-woodward/)
Alongside musical theater she worked in immersive and cabaret performance. She was a lead singer in *The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable*, the Punchdrunk production staged with the National Theatre, and as the burlesque compere and singer Coco DuBois she headlined *The Hurly Burly Show* at the Duchess Theatre and *An Evening of Burlesque* on its UK and international tour.[2](https://www.stagefaves.com/performers/joanna-woodward/) • [3](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/actor/joanna-woodward)
## West End career
Her West End career began in Maria Friedman's 2013 production of Sondheim's *Merrily We Roll Along* at the Menier Chocolate Factory and Harold Pinter Theatre, where she understudied Beth, Meg, and KT.[4](https://www.theblackmorevale.co.uk/west-end-star-joanna-woodward-answers-the-random-19-questions/) • [1](https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/joanna-woodward/) She then played Margaret in Terry Johnson's *Fings Ain't What They Used T'Be* at the Theatre Royal Stratford East (2014) and Betty, understudying and playing the title role, in *[Beautiful: The Carole King Musical](https://www.edgepedia.org/beautiful-the-carole-king-musical)* at the Aldwych Theatre (2015-2016).[1](https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/joanna-woodward/)
**Leading roles followed.** In 2017 she played Mary in the UK premiere of Cy Coleman's *The Life* at the Southwark Playhouse, directed by the show's original Broadway director Michael Blakemore.[1](https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/joanna-woodward/) • [2](https://www.stagefaves.com/performers/joanna-woodward/) In *Pretty Woman: The Musical* at the Piccadilly Theatre (2020-2022) she played Susan and understudied Vivian Ward, going on to play the lead role.[1](https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/joanna-woodward/) • [5](https://www.westendtheatre.com/154320/star-watch/joanna-woodward/)
**The Time Traveller's Wife.** Woodward played Clare, the female lead, in the stage musical adaptation of Audrey Niffenegger's 2003 novel, which premiered at Storyhouse, Chester, in 2022 before transferring to the [Apollo Theatre](https://www.edgepedia.org/apollo-theatre) in the West End in 2023, opposite David Hunter as Henry.[1](https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/joanna-woodward/) • [6](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/interviews/david-hunter-and-joanna-woodward-on-bringing-new-musical-the-time-travellers) The musical had a book by Lauren Gunderson and a score by [Joss Stone](https://www.edgepedia.org/joss-stone) and Dave Stewart.[6](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/interviews/david-hunter-and-joanna-woodward-on-bringing-new-musical-the-time-travellers)
**The Producers.** Woodward played Ulla, the Swedish actress who dreams of Broadway, in Patrick Marber's revival of [Mel Brooks](https://www.edgepedia.org/mel-brooks)'s *The Producers*, which opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory in December 2024 and transferred to the Garrick Theatre in the West End in September 2025.[1](https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/joanna-woodward/) • [7](https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Interview-Once-Youre-Watching-You-Dont-Stop-Laughing-Actor-Joanna-Woodward-on-Bringing-Ull) In a 2025 interview she said the production gave Ulla more autonomy and authority than before.[7](https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Interview-Once-Youre-Watching-You-Dont-Stop-Laughing-Actor-Joanna-Woodward-on-Bringing-Ull) The production was nominated for Best Musical in the 2025 Standard Theatre Awards.[8](https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/news/2025-standard-theatre-awards-nominations/)
## Other work
Her fringe and smaller-venue credits include [Tinker Bell](https://www.edgepedia.org/tinker-bell) in *Lost Boy* (Finborough Theatre and Charing Cross Theatre), Kimberley in *Pages: Promised Land* (Union Theatre), Glauke in *Medea* and Princess Atlanta in *The Adventures of Jason and the Argonauts* (Scoop [Amphitheatre](https://www.edgepedia.org/amphitheatre)), Emily in *Zombies: The Musical*, and Eulpha Mizam in *Confessions* (The Other Palace, 2019).[3](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/actor/joanna-woodward) • [1](https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/joanna-woodward/) She has also taken part in workshops, including *T'aint A Bird* (Arts Theatre), *Lost Boy* (Liverpool Everyman), *Chaosbaby* (National Theatre Studio), and *Painted Lady: The Princess Cariboo Scandal* ([Bristol Old Vic](https://www.edgepedia.org/bristol-old-vic)).[2](https://www.stagefaves.com/performers/joanna-woodward/)
## Namesakes
The name Joanna Woodward is shared by several unrelated public figures, and the actress is sometimes confused with them. **Joanne Woodward**, the American actress and widow of [Paul Newman](https://www.edgepedia.org/paul-newman), is a different person.[9](https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/joanna-woodward) A separate **Joanna Woodward**, known as JoWonder, is a British fine artist and animator educated at St Martin's School of Art and the National Film School, whose animated film *The Brooch Pin and the Sinful Clasp* won the Grand Prix at the World Festival of Animated Film in Zagreb in 1990.[10](https://acme.org.uk/artist-support/alumni/joanna-woodward/)
## References
1. [Joanna Woodward, United Agents profile and stage credits](https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/joanna-woodward/)
2. [Joanna Woodward, Stage Faves performer profile](https://www.stagefaves.com/performers/joanna-woodward/)
3. [Joanna Woodward, London Theatre Direct actor directory](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/actor/joanna-woodward)
4. [West End star Joanna Woodward answers the Random 19 questions, The Blackmore Vale](https://www.theblackmorevale.co.uk/west-end-star-joanna-woodward-answers-the-random-19-questions/)
5. [Joanna Woodward, West End Theatre Star Watch](https://www.westendtheatre.com/154320/star-watch/joanna-woodward/)
6. [David Hunter and Joanna Woodward on bringing new musical 'The Time Traveller's Wife' to the stage, London Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/interviews/david-hunter-and-joanna-woodward-on-bringing-new-musical-the-time-travellers)
7. [Interview: Actor Joanna Woodward on Bringing Ulla to the West End in THE PRODUCERS, BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Interview-Once-Youre-Watching-You-Dont-Stop-Laughing-Actor-Joanna-Woodward-on-Bringing-Ull)
8. [2025 Standard Theatre Awards Nominations, United Agents](https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/news/2025-standard-theatre-awards-nominations/)
9. [Joanna Woodward Photos, Getty Images](https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/joanna-woodward)
10. [Joanna Woodward (JoWonder), Acme Studios alumni page](https://acme.org.uk/artist-support/alumni/joanna-woodward/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Theater and dance › Stage practitioners and craft › Acting: theory, technique, and teachers › Acting coaches and training biographies › Acting coaches to the profession and celebrity coaching*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 11, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license