David Ribi

David Ribi

David Ribi

David Ribi at the stage door after performing as "Sketch" in the UK tour of Hairspray.
Born (1987-08-01) 1 August 1987
Camberley, Surrey, England
Occupation Actor and singer songwriter
Years active 2008-present

David Ribi (born 1 August 1987) is an English actor known for his roles in West End Theatre and touring productions. He trained in musical theatre at the London College of Music until 2006, and studied Drama and Theatre at Royal Holloway until 2009. As well as musical theatre, David is a keen singer/songwriter and has performed at a variety of live events around London and Surrey.[1]

Career

Theatre

David has a number of theatre credits. Whilst training, he appeared in several leading roles, including 'Tommy' in The Who's Tommy, and 'Tobias Ragg' in Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,[2] among others (see below).

In 2011, it was announced that David would play the lead role of 'Bobby' in the 2011-2012 Dreamboats and Petticoats UK Tour, produced by Bill Kenwright.[3] Upon the completion of the tour, David took up the same lead role of Bobby in the West End version of the show at the Wyndhams Theatre,[4] which ran until 4 August 2012.[5]

From Thursday 13 December 2012 until Sunday 6 January 2013, David starred as Aladdin in the pantomime of the same name at the Octagon Theatre, Yeovil.[6]

In 2013, David joined the cast of the UK Tour of Hairspray[7] as 'Sketch' and second cover Link Larkin.[8] The tour ran from 11 February 2013 until 29 September 2013.[9]

Ribi will return to panto during the 2013/2014 Christmas season, and will be playing the lead role of Peter Pan in the pantomime of the same name, at Fairfield Hall, Croydon, alongside Steve McFadden (Captain Hook).[10] The show will run from Friday 6 December 2013 until Sunday 5 January 2014.[11]

In May 2014, it was announced that David will be taking on the lead role of Zanna in 'Zanna, Don't!' from 3–29 June at the Landor Theatre, London.[12][13][14] The story in which Ribi serves as the lead (Zanna) is set in a parallel universe where homosexuality is the norm and heterosexuality is a taboo. Set in mid-west America, "Zanna" takes place at heterophobic Heartsville High. Zanna is the school's matchmaker, bringing together happy couples until the football team's quarterback and the captain of the Girls' Intramural Mechanical Bull-Riding Team begin to discover their feelings for each other.[15]

Following his success in Zanna, Don't! David announced that he will play Man 1' in I Love You, You're Perfect! Now Change!' at the Battersea Barge from 14–17 July 2014. He will star alongside Nic Kyle, Chloe Taylor and Sarah Goggin.

Music

David is a keen singer/songwriter and has written his own music, which can be found on his YouTube channel. His debut album is due to be released later this year.[16]

On 10 December 2012, a single "Onesie Time" was released on iTunes,[17] co-written by Ribi, and featuring his vocals, along with those of other notable names such as West End performers Samantha Dorrance (Dreamboats and Petticoats), Sabrina Aloueche (We Will Rock You), Tim Driesen (Rock of Ages) and Christopher Biggins, collectively dubbed 'The West End Onesie Club' - all performers wore onesies throughout the recording process.

Television

David has made appearances on several UK television shows. His first was in March 2012, with the cast of Dreamboats and Petticoats on the BBC TV Series The Late Show. They performed "Let's Go To The Hop", a musical number from the show. In February 2013, David appeared on the ITV daytime show "This Morning" with the cast of the UK Tour of Hairspray. They performed "You Can't Stop The Beat", the finale song from Act 2 of the show.

Only One Direction

In early 2012, Only One Direction formed as a tribute band to the teen sensations One Direction, the first of its kind in the world. The tribute band was an instant hit, attracting nationwide attention which led to the band performing up to seven shows a week. The band performed to over 150000 audience members in its first two years, quickly establishing its presence in the music industry. The band initially consisted of five members, Henry Allan (portraying One Direction member Harry Styles), Jamie Searls (Zayn Malik), Andy Fowler (Louis Tomlinson), Aaron Foster (Liam Payne), and Matt Brinkler (Niall Horan), but due to high demand for performances, the band expanded in 2013, bringing alternates to perform at some of the shows. David Ribi, described on the band's website (along with the other alternates)as "the best of the best in performing talent", joined the band as an alternate Niall Horan. He has toured internationally with the band, showcasing his musical ability. Throughout 2014, demand for Ribi and the band continues to be high, allowing for their first UK theatre tour, United Arab Emirates tour, and the continuation of their European residencies.[18][19]

Music and Theatre Credits

David has an impressive CV with a variety of roles:

Music and Theatre
Start year Production Role Notes
2008 Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Tobias Ragg
  • Directed by Phil Hooks
2008 The Who's Tommy Tommy
  • Directed by Thomas Warren
  • Student Union RHMT, RHUL
2009 The Voice of Tomorrow Soloist - First Placing Male.
2009 RENT Roger Davis (Lead)
2009 Nursery Crimes Gingerbread Man/Bobby Shaftoe
2009 Dick Whittington King Rat
  • Directed by Nick Young
  • South England Tour
2010 The Distance We Have Come - The Music of Scott Alan (concert) Soloist
  • Directed by Scott Alan for Damson Productions
  • The New Players Theatre, London
2010 Waterloo! Benny
  • MD George Dyer
  • Theatre Tour
  • Mad About Productions - UK National Tour
2010 Shakin All Over Frankie Valli/Buddy Holly/Ensemble/Dancer
  • Directed by Emma Hollings
  • Mad About Productions - UK National Tour
2011 Heaven Sent Dave
2011 Dreamboats and Petticoats (UK Tour) Bobby (Lead)
2012 Dreamboats and Petticoats (West End) Bobby (Lead)
2012 - 2013 Aladdin (Panto) Aladdin (Lead)
  • Octagon Theatre, Yeovil
  • Ran from Thursday 13 December 2012 until Sunday 6 January 2013.
2013 Hairspray (UK Tour) Sketch/2nd Cover Link Larkin
  • 2013 UK Touring Production.
  • Directed by Jack O'Brien
2013 West End Fest Soloist and 'band member'.

part of a "West End Boyband", and also a mash-up of songs

from the musical 'Annie'.

2013–present Only One Direction (Tribute Band) Niall Horan.
  • UK Theatre tour
  • UAE Tour
  • European Residencies
3–29 June 2014 Zanna, Don't! Zanna (Lead)
  • Landor Theatre, London
  • Directed by Drew Baker
14–17 July 2014 I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change! Man 1
  • Battersea Barge

References

  1. "davidribi.co.uk". Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  2. "David Ribi, actor.". www.castingcallpro.com. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  3. "The Stage Productions". thestage.co.uk. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  4. "West End Frame". westendframe.com. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  5. "Whats On Stage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  6. "Yeovil Press". www.yeovilpress.co.uk. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  7. "Hairspray UK Tour 2013". www.hairspraythetour.cm. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  8. "Hairspray UK Tour 2013 - David Ribi/Sketch". www.hairspraythetour.co.uk. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  9. "The Good Review". www.thegoodreview.co.uk. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  10. http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/EastEnders-star-Steve-McFadden-aka-Phil-Mitchell/story-18512063-detail/story.html#axzz2gYHUjIeg
  11. http://www.uktw.co.uk/London/Fairfield-Hall/Panto/Peter-Pan/L310046980/
  12. Musical Theatre, News. "David Ribi & Ceris Hine in Zanna Don't at Landor". Musical Theatre News. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  13. West End, Frame. "David Ribi & Ceris Hine to star in Landor Theatre's Zanna, Don’t!". West End Frame. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  14. Landor Theatre, Landor Theatre. "www.landortheatre.co.uk". Landor Theatre. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  15. Zanna, Don't!
  16. "David Ribi Bio - Hairspray Tour". www.hairspraythetour.co.uk. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  17. "iTunes - Onesie Time". iTunes. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  18. "Only One Direction". Retrieved 2014-01-29.
  19. Only One Direction, Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/OnlyOneDirectionTribute. Retrieved 2014-01-29. Missing or empty |title= (help)
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