Ashley Zhangazha

Actor

photo by joseph sinclair

Ashley was born in Camden, North London to Zimbabwean parents. He studied Politics and Economics at the University of Manchester before training with the National Youth Theatre, where he is now an associate, and then the Guildhall School of Music and Drama on the 3 year Acting Course.

Following his training he featured in Michael Grandage's production of Danton's Death and starred in Emily Lim's production of Pericles in the title role – both at the National Theatre.

In 2018 he won the UK Theatre award for Best Performance in a Musical for his role as Sky Masterson in the all black production of Guys and Dolls at the Royal Exchange, Manchester (Dir: Michael Buffong). In 2013 he won the prestigious Sunday Times/National Theatre Ian Charleson award for his performance as Ross in Macbeth at the Sheffield Crucible (Dir: Daniel Evans).

Other theatre credits include performances at the Donmar Warehouse, the Royal Court, the Young Vic and in London's West End opposite Lenny Henry in Fences and Jude Law in Henry V.

On screen credits include in Victoria (ITV/PBS) Humans (Channel 4/AMC) Ordinary Lies (BBC) and Doctors (BBC).

In 2018 Ashley wrote the short monologue 'Love Liquidators' for the Alchymy festival at the North Wall, Oxford.

From March 2019 to March 2020 he has played the role of Ike Turner in the hit West End production of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre.

Ashley lives in North London and is a mentor at both the National Youth Theatre and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He is a passionate advocate for increased access to the arts and further diversity in the industry.