Nova Skipp - Stage

Nova trained at the Arts Educational Schools, London. On leaving, she was part of the original company in the national tour of Aspects of Love.

Following a tour of Oklahoma!, Nova’s West End debut was The Phantom of the Opera, closely followed by her next West End show, Salad Days.  

In 1998, Nova appeared with the New Shakespeare Company at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, before touring in Annie as cover to Grace Farrell, and then spending a year in Germany, playing Jellylorum in Cats.

Throughout her career, Nova has appeared at repertory theatres, including York Theatre Royal, Sheffield Crucible Theatre, Yeovil Octagon Theatre, Perth Theatre, where she starred as Julie Jordan in Carousel, and a season in the Isle of Man, playing the leading roles of Janet in The Rocky Horror Show and Sandy in Grease.

In 2005, Nova took on her favourite role to date, as understudy Anna in The King & I.  She then played the role of Miss Cuff in the Victoria Wood musical, Acorn Antiques, followed by Chess in Concert, starring Idina Menzel and Josh Groban, at the Royal Albert Hall.

In 2008-9, Nova appeared in The Sound of Music at the London Palladium. She followed this by singing in two seasons for Opera Holland Park, in productions of Carmen, La Rondine and Le Nozze di Figaro. 

Nova soon had the chance to cover another great role, that of Beverly in the Menier Chocolate Factory’s production of Abigail’s Party. This led to other plays, including playing Auntie Lou in the tour of Carrie’s War and Kes at Derby Theatre.

Nova has always enjoyed the chance to create roles on the London fringe, including Mrs Anna Smith in the UK premiere of Meet me in St Louis, and Meg Boyd in Damn Yankees, both at the Landor Theatre. She also created the role of Kathryn in the musical, Apartment 40C, for London Workshop Theatre at The Other Palace.

Nova especially relishes the challenge of performing Sondheim. Favourite performances include Side by Side by Sondheim at the Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage, a sell-out season as Young Sally in Follies at the Landor Theatre, and playing political activist, Emma Goldman in Assassins at the Pleasance Theatre, Islington.

In 2015, Nova appeared in a rep season at the Theatre Royal Windsor, playing Dora Springer in Pardon me, Prime Minister and one of her favourite leading roles, Judith Bliss in Hay Fever. This was followed by a national tour of Funny Girl, understudying the role of Mrs Brice, which she performed opposite Sheridan Smith.

Next came two productions Upstairs at the Gatehouse, playing Mrs Harcourt in Anything Goes and Duchess Estonia Dulworth in Nice Work If You Can Get It.

Recently, Nova set up her own company, Skipp Productions. She produced and played Chelsea Thayer in On Golden Pond, and M’Lynn Eatenton in Steel Magnolias, as well as touring her own show, The Sound of Julie.

Nova also has a flourishing cabaret and recording career. She has performed in pantomimes all over the UK as Principal Girl, Fairy Godmother and most recently, Mummy Bear in Goldilocks at Richmond Theatre.