Nicola is an accomplished actress/singer with an enviable CV. Her most recent role was Bess in Trevor Nunn's stunning production of PORGY AND BESS. Her performance earned her an Olivier Awards nomination for Best Actress in a Musical - the second time she has had the honour of being selected.
Nicola plays the role of Sundae Gorgeous ITV1 drama ROCK RIVALS - a series based on the smash hit show, X Factor. Nicola plays the vocal coach and ex disco diva who is best friends with the judges played by Michelle Collins and Sean Gallagher.
Nicola received rave reviews as Ella Fitzgerald in MARILYN AND ELLA at the Theatre Royal, Stratford. Set in 1955 it's about the little-known true story of the friendship between two of the 20th century's biggest icons, Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald.
Nicola's many leading roles in the West End include Velma Kelly in CHICAGO at the Adelphi Theatre; Lola in DAMN YANKEES at the Adelphi Theatre, playing opposite Jerry Lewis; Donna Douglas in THE GOODBYE GIRL at the Albery Theatre; The Acid Queen in The Who's TOMMY at the Shaftsbury Theatre and Margie in CRAZY FOR YOU at the Prince Edward Theatre; FOSSE at the Prince of Wales Theatre, for which she was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2001; Zarita in SIMPLY HEAVENLY at the Trafalgar Studios.
Other theatre roles have included Yum Yum in THE HOT MIKADO at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury; lead singer in the national tour of RAY CHARLES 'I CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU'; Bloody Mary in SOUTH PACIFIC at the Grange Park Opera; FOLLOW MY LEADER, a satirical political revue written by Alistair Beaton, at the Birmingham Rep and the Hampstead Theatre; Zarita in SIMPLY HEAVENLY at the Young Vic; The Lady in BLUES IN THE NIGHT at the Birmingham Rep; AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' at Derby Playhouse; Helene in SWEET CHARITY at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley and NOTES AROSS A SMALL POND at the Bridewell Theatre.
Nicola's TV credits include Eastenders and Jonathan Creek.
Nicola has performed her one-woman show at Pizza on the Park, Lauderdale House and Dulwich Picture Gallery, and performed with Cy Coleman in THE CY COLEMAN CONCERT at the International Festival of Musical Theatre in Cardiff.
Overseas work includes playing Velma Kelly in CHICAGO at the Baalbeck Festival in Lebanon, and Musical Revues in Cyprus and Rome.
Nicola's solo album entitled 'Nicola Hughes', produced by TCM Music, is on release under her independent label Pennant Productions.
