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In loving memory

Laura Leo

Momma Ogre, chorus and dance troupe, wardrobe mistress, and the costumier behind Leo's Theatrical Costumiers, which dressed five WMTC shows.

Laura Leo, from the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang programme

Remembered in the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 2026 programme

Laura was such a talented human being. She had a huge personality, a smile you couldn’t help but catch and a laugh that was totally infectious.

Laura was an integral part of the Willenhall team. Vocally superhuman, she led her section with confidence, boldly singing for others to follow. In her own right, she was a lead vocalist in every sense, with a voice that could truly rock the world. Laura had recently landed the role of one of the Divas in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, a part perfectly suited to her incredible vocal talent. Willenhall could not have been happier for her.

Laura has been a member of Willenhall Musical Theatre Company for many years. She was a fantastic Mama Ogre in Shrek, a vital member of our chorus and dance troupe, a dedicated wardrobe mistress, and the supplier of the most wonderful costumes. Laura’s costumes were something truly special. She poured her heart and soul into everything she created, often crafting new pieces simply because she wanted her friends to shine on stage.

Laura, we will always miss the laughs, the smiles, and that unforgettable voice. It still feels as though you might walk through the door at any moment, ready to take measurements and provide footwear notes.

Laura’s passing was a total shock to everyone, a light extinguished way too early. Rest in peace dear Laura.

The record

2014 to 2026

12 productions. On stage in 8 of them, and wardrobe mistress for 6.

Her own work

Leo's Theatrical Costumiers

Laura ran it, and it dressed 5 WMTC productions. The last of them opened after she had died, in costumes she had already made.

  • 2019
    Sister Act

    Costumes

  • 2023
    Shrek the Musical

    Rat Tappers and Fiona's costumes by Leo's Theatrical Costumiers. Principal costumes were Molly Limpet's.

  • 2024
    Beauty and the Beast

    Costumes

  • 2025
    The Wizard of Oz

    Costumes

  • 2026
    Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

    Costumes

She was wardrobe mistress from 2016, three years before the first of these. For Me and My Girl, Anything Goes and Half a Sixpence the costumes came from elsewhere and she ran the wardrobe anyway.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 2026

We dedicate this show in memory of Laura Leo

Simon would like to dedicate his performances to the late and lovely Laura Leo, a beautiful soul who is missed greatly by us all, and whose talent, sharp wit, and even sharper needle was always an important addition to our productions and our lives. Hope you enjoy the show Laura whilst you are looking down on us, I promise to look after your costumes that are in my care. God bless you, Laura. X.

Simon Williams, Caractacus Potts

Daniel would like to dedicate this performance to Laura Leo, a close friend he misses dearly.

Daniel Haddon, Baron Bomburst

Both were printed in the programme, in the performers’ own words, alongside their biographies.

A note

Every year above was read out of the programme the company printed for that show, or off the show pages of its old websites for the years before 2016. Where a year shows no stage credit, the chorus list was checked and her name is not in it.

She was in the chorus of nine productions and the company photographed all of them, so she is in those galleries. Picking one person out of a crowd on a stage is harder than it sounds, and a memorial page is the wrong place to guess at a face. If you can point her out, we would be glad to hear from you.

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