Daisy Productions

Penny Shaw

Penny studied has studied singing since the age of 14, and began her life as a professional singer in a jazz band which kept her in pocket money though out her school years. After leaving school she completed a degree in Human Sciences at Oxford University. Whilst at college she sang the title role in the British Premiere of ETA Hoffman's Undine for the Oxford University Opera, the role of Zerlina in Don Giovanni for Opera Exchange and Maria in West Side Story which was attended by Stephen Sondheim, visiting professor at the University at the time.

After graduation she moved to London and secured her first professional operatic engagement as Papagena in The Magic Flute for European Chamber Opera, touring Britain and Hong Kong. She also played the role of Inez in Il Trovatore for ECO, and the opera was subsequently recorded and released on CD in memory of Freddy Mercury.

Continuing with her interest in musical theatre she participated in Pimlico Opera's landmark production of Guys and Dolls performed in Wandsworth Prison and filmed for Granada Television.

Penny joined Travelling Opera as First Lady in The Magic Flute and understudying Violetta in La Traviata. Three years later she was performing the role of Violetta at the Barbican theatre in London and then on tour throughout Great Britain and France, becoming one of the youngest singers to sing the role professionally. Other professional operatic engagements include Donna Anna in Don Giovanni also at the Barbican; Rosina in The Barber of Seville at The Lyric Theatre Hammersmith; Pamina in The Magic Flute; Micaela in Carmen; Leila in The Pearl Fishers; Musetta in La Boheme; Suzanna in Suzanna's Secret and Miss Silverpeal in The Impressario. Companies include Travelling Opera, English Touring Opera, Pimlico Opera, In Camera Chamber Opera, European Chamber Opera and Holland Park Opera.

In addition to her theatre work Penny also appeared in an operatic film called Hell for Leather which won numerous awards throughout Europe and was selected for numerous festivals including the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.

Penny was fortunate enough to be in involved in a minor way with the pop music industry and was one of the first artists to mix classical and dance music in the way that has now become extremely popular. She had a hit in the UK in 1994 with the then unknown Dido and later sang on Faithless' highly acclaimed album Reverence. She was also invited to participate in Island Record's 1GiantLeap project, singing a track, Innocenti, that was written for her.

Shortly before moving to Australia Penny understudied and sang the role of Carlotta in Cameron Mackintosh's famous production of Phantom of the Opera.

Penny moved to Fremantle in March 2001 and has performed roles with the West Australian Opera including Queen Catherine in Nostradamus and Olga in The Merry Widow in 2003. Penny founded Daisy Productions in 2001and has written and produced many concerts and shows including Aria for The Terrace Proms, Love, Death and Money at The Cottesloe Civic Center, A Taste of Opera at The Hyatt and Treachery and Seduction on the High C's at Fremantle Town Hall. Penny has also appeared in several shows for Cabaret Soiree at Downstairs at the Maj and numerous lunchtime concerts at His Majesty's Theatre. She was the soloist at the Mozart in the Park concert in 2003 and at the Vienna Pops New Year's Eve Concert 2003 and 2004 and is a member of the successful a cappella group, Heaven.

In 2006 Penny and two other performers were comissioned by His Majesty's Theatre, Perth, to write and perform a cabaret show, Ladies Who Lunch as part of the Brain Box Project. She also appeared at His Majesty's Theatre as the bitchy Dolly in Annie Get Your Gun for Peach Productions.

Penny played the role of The Countess in Yellow Glass Theatre's aclaimed production of The Marriage of Figaro in 2007. Also in 2007 she sang the soprano solo in Verdi's Requiem for Collegiem Symphonic at the Winthrop Hall and understudied the role of Musetta in WA Opera's production of La Boheme. In 2008 she continues to sing in the WA Opera Chorus and will play the Stepmother in Sondheim's musical Into The Woods for Yellow Glass Theatre.