Imelda Staunton’s stage history

It would be nearly impossible to chronicle all of Imelda Staunton‘s stage history. She is, after all, a legend with decades of performances under her belt.

Kickstarting her career in the 1970s, spending six years performing in repertory theatres, we’ve since been lucky enough to have her perform on London stages and beyond. All while becoming a national treasure on screen in blockbusters like Harry Potter, The Crown and more.

Here are some of her stage highlights – let us know on social media if you’ve been lucky enough to catch her in anything!

Mimi/Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (1982)

In her first introduction to the much-loved musical, she played a Hot Box Girl. It marked the start of a long and fruitful relationship with the great National Theatre, and also with her now-husband Jim Carter, who played the role of Big Jule in Richard Eyre’s famed revival. She later took back her mink as Miss Adelaide!

Lucy Lockit in The Beggar’s Opera (1982)

This was Staunton’s first major role in a theatre in the capital and another chance to work with Eyre. For it, she secured her first Olivier Award nominations, for Best Actress and for Most Promising Newcomer.

Hannah Llewellyn in A Chorus Of Disapproval (1985)

In a full circle moment of sorts, Stauton returned to the National in Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy (he also directed) about an amateur operatic society staging The Beggar’s Opera.

Bessie Watty in The Corn is Green (1985)

An Old Vic revival of Emlyn Williams’ play contributed to Staunton’s first Olivier Awards win. She picked it up for her supporting work in the piece and in A Chorus of Disapproval that same year. Deborah Kerr led the play, which also toured.

Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz (1987)

One of the first on-stage Dorothys to travel over the rainbow to Oz, Staunton led the much-loved Royal Shakespeare Company revival of the iconic tale on stage at the Barbican. This production of The Wizard of Oz has been widely revived, and guess what? Staunton earned yet another Olivier nom.

Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (1997)

Eyre’s major revival returned to the National Theatre, and so did Staunton!

Sonya in Uncle Vanya (1988)

Michael Codron’s production of the Chekhov classic played at the Vaudeville Theatre and featured quite a cast. Staunton shared the stage with Jonathan Pryce (another star of The Crown), Rachel Kempson, Michael Gambon and many more.

Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods (1990)

In what would be the start of Staunton’s long-standing relationship with the late, great composer Stephen Sondheim (you can catch her in the filmed Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends gala), she originated the role of the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods in London. At the Phoenix Theatre, the show was directed by Richard Jones and featured sets by Richard Hudson, choreography by Anthony van Laast, costumes by Sue Blane and orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick. Her wish came true – another Olivier Award for the mantlepiece!

Ines in Life x 3 (2000)

Matthew Warchus directed Staunton alongside Mark Rylance, Harriet Walter and Oliver Cotton in the English-language premiere of Yasmina Reza’s comedy about three versions of one evening. They performed at the National before transferring a short hop, skip and jump over to the Old Vic.

Margaret in There Came a Gypsy Riding (2007)

Frank McGuinness Irish drama premiered at the Almeida, and also featured Eileen Atkins.

Claire in A Delicate Balance (2011)

Staunton performed in a London revival of Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance at the Almeida. She was directed by James Macdonald and featured in an ensemble cast that included Penelope Wilton.

Kath in Entertaining Mr Sloane (2009)

Joe Orton’s play was recently revived in London, but before that, Staunton starred as Kath in a production at the Trafalgar Theatre. Playing the title role was Matthew Horne, mid Gavin and Stacey fame.

Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd (2011)

Staunton returned to her musical roots, showing off her comedy chops in Chichester Festival Theatre’s revival of Sweeney Todd. Michael Ball played opposite her as the deadly barber, and this version was set in 1930. The duo each won Olivier Awards, with Staunton also receiving her first WhatsOnStage Award.

Margie in Good People (2014)

In David Lindsay-Abaire’s Tony Award-winning play, Staunton played a single mother who has just been fired as she seeks out an old boyfriend. The production reunited the performer with Sweeney Todd director Jonathan Kent when it premiered at the Hampstead Theatre before transferring to the West End. Yes, this performance earned her an Olivier Award nomination.

Rose in Gypsy (2015)

Continuing to entertain us, Staunton took on the coveted role of Rose! This time she stared the stage with her own pet dog, Molly, who played Chowsie. Again, this production, directed by Jonathan Kent, played first in Chichester before a glitzy opening at the Savoy Theatre. And again, Staunton got her flowers – both the Olivier and WhatsOnStage Award!

Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (2017)

It’s an iconic and enviable role, and one that Staunton tackled. Conleth Hill played her husband George, while Luke Treadaway and Imogen Poots were the young and unsuspecting afterparty guests at the Harold Pinter.

Sally in Follies (2017)

Dominic Cooke was at the helm of a rare production of Follies, and it marked Staunton’s return to the National Theatre. Her “Losing My Mind” is a thing of legend.

Talking Heads (2020)

Alongside Maxine Peake, Staunton performed one of Alan Bennett’s monologues, “A Lady of Letters”, at the Bridge Theatre, then in Sheffield and Leeds as part of a socially-distanced return to theatre.

Dolly in Hello, Dolly (2024)

A long-awaited revival (thanks, pandemic) of Hello, Dolly! finally waved to London Palladium audiences in the summer of 2024. The mega-musical reunited Staunton with director Cooke, and a whole host of co-stars, including Andy Nyman, Jenna Russell, Tyrone Huntley, Harry Hepple and Emily Lane. You guessed it, another Olivier Award and her third WhatsOnStage Award!

Mrs Kitty Warren in Mrs Warren’s Profession (2025)

For the first time, Staunton appeared on stage opposite her daughter, Bessie Carter! The mother/daughter duo played in George Bernard Shaw’s provocative play and were in safe hands with director Cooke!