Carl Au

Carl Au (born 24 March 1987) is a British actor, dancer, and singer. Having begun his career aged eleven, he appeared in multiple musical productions, before receiving a scholarship at Arts Educational Schools, London, to study acting and musical theatre. While attending the school, he was invited to feature in the ''Barbara Cook and Friends'' charity gala show, organised for Barbara Cook's eightieth birthday, and was awarded The Stephen Sondheim Society Prize for Student Performer of the Year, making him the inaugural recipient. After graduating, Au returned to stage productions, primarily in the West End of London.

He was cast in the BBC drama '' Waterloo Road'' in 2012 as troublesome student Barry Barry, marking his first television credit. He left the series over a year later and experienced guest roles in television series. Since then, he has experienced roles in plays ''Bright Phoenix'', ''Ostrich Boys'', and '' High Fidelity'', as well as being cast in a lead role in the 2017–2018 touring production of '' Cilla The Musical''. Au released his first single, "Uncle", in November 2020.

Early life

Au was born on 24 March 1987, in Kirkby, Merseyside. He has British, Chinese and Irish heritage. Au received scholarships to three musical theatre colleges to study acting and musical theatre. Philip Key of the '' Daily Post'' called this "an unprecedented event in show business". He opted to study at the Arts Educational Schools, London, where he graduated in 2008.

Career

Au began his stage career aged eleven. As a teenager, he appeared in '' Copperfield'', a musical based on Dickens’ David Copperfield. He also appeared as young Benny in the stage production of ''Her Benny'' at the Liverpool Empire Theatre. In August 2005, he starred in the futuristic musical ''Lorenzo's Quest'' as protagonist Lorenzo. The actor featured in the 2006–2007 pantomime of ''Robin Hood and The Babes in the Wood'' at the Bournemouth Pavilion with three of his fellow Arts Educational College classmates. The run consisted of 48 performances and for the majority of the run, the actor was ill; nevertheless, he appeared in all the performances. In 2007, Au was invited to feature in the ''Barbara Cook and Friends'' charity gala show, organised for Barbara Cook's eightieth birthday. He dubbed it a "remarkable experience". From June to August 2008, Au appeared in the ensemble of ''High School Musical on Stage!'' for its London premiere at the Hammersmith Apollo. Later that year, he appeared in the Oxford Playhouse's 2008–2009 pantomime ''Sleeping Beauty''. He went on to appear at the 2009 Brit Awards as one of the Pet Shop Boys dancers and has also performed with Lady Gaga.

The actor played the role of Nephew Fred in the 2009 production of ''A Christmas Carol'' at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. In March 2010, Au's casting as the mute in ''The Fantasticks'' was announced; the production began in the West End in May. Between September and October 2010, Au appeared in the West End production of '' Bells Are Ringing'' at the Union Theatre, London; he portrayed Carl. In December 2010, it was announced that Au would join the West End cast of ''Jersey Boys'' as Joe Pesci, from 15 March 2011. At the Freedom Bar in London, the actor joined other West End actors in a one-night showcase of composer David Are songs, ''Slip Into Your Skin'', on 18 March 2012.

In 2012, Au was cast in the BBC
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