Laurie Mansfield
Quick Facts
Biography
Laurie Mansfield (born 27 March 1943) is a theatrical agent from Birmingham.
He is best known as being an agent of British entertainers from the 1970's onwards .
Early life
Laurie Mansfield entered show business first as a salesman for CBS Records CBS Records, and then as a record producer. In 1969, this led him into the agency business, where he became responsible for building International Artistes Ltd into one of the most successful all-purpose management and agency companies in the UK.In April 2010, a new company was formed called Laurie Mansfield Associates, presenting a combination of both theatrical production and talent representation.
Theatre producer
In 1989, Laurie Mansfield was co-producer of Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, which completed 13 years in London's West End, in addition to various productions worldwide. Laurie co-produced the Olivier Award-winning musical Jolson in London’s West End, before transferring to Toronto. Jolson has also toured in the United States and Australia. In 1999, Laurie co-produced the Olivier Award-winning Defending the Caveman on Shaftesbury Avenue, London. In October 1999, Laurie was the lead producer on Great Balls of Fire, the Jerry Lee Lewis story, at the Cambridge Theatre.
In 2006 Laurie’s first co-production with Bill Kenwright was the original tour of This Is Elvis, Laurie and Bill went on to co-produce many successful touring musicals including West End hit Dreamboats and Petticoats and its sequel Dreamboats and Miniskirts, Save The Last Dance For Me, Laughter In The Rain (The Neil Sedaka story) and Cilla The Musical based on the early life of Cilla Black, written by the award-winning Jeff Pope.
Charity work
Laurie is currently Life President of the Royal Variety Charity. (formerly known as EABF), which maintains the retirement home Brinsworth House in Twickenham. Through the RVC, Laurie is closely involved with The Royal Variety Show, the proceeds of which go directly to the charity. Laurie is also chairman of the British Forces Foundation (founded by Jim Davidson).(founded by Jim Davidson OBE), of which HRH The Prince of Wales is Patron and the late Baroness Thatcher was President. The charity was formed to promote and support the armed forces for charitable means by entertaining servicemen and women around the world.