Amanda Noar
Amanda Noar (born 14 October 1962) is an English actress, director and choreographer and is the former wife of actor Neil Morrissey. Born in Prestwich, Lancashire, Noar attended the Arts Educational School from the age of 12. Aged 16 she started her professional career in the Danny La Rue Show. She was later cast as Anita in the West End production of "West Side Story". Her first television role was as Helen Carson in the ATV schools series "Starting Out" (1982), written by Grazyna Monvid. Her other TV work includes Julie Clay in "Coronation Street" (1983), Sally in  Boon (1987), Natasha Glendenning in "Lovejoy" (1992), Norma in "Stay Lucky" (1993), Melanie Norriss in "Casualty" (1994), Rose Finnigan in "Brookside" (1999) and Letitia in "Hollyoaks". Stage roles include Anita in "West Side Story" at Her Majesty's Theatre in London and on national tour, "Fields of Ambrosia" at the Aldwych Theatre, London, and Chava in "Fiddler on the Roof" with Topol. In addition, Noar played Gypsy in "" at The Grand Theatre, Swansea, and Hunyak in "Chicago" at The Haymarket Theatre in Leicester. She performed in "Godspell" on national tour, as well as roles in "Sweet Charity" and "Cabaret". Her  film work includes playing "Jess", a dancing alien, in "Return of the Jedi" (1983), "Out on the Floor" (1983), "The Zero Option" (1988), Kim in the comedy horror film "I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle" (1990) opposite husband Neil Morrissey, and "The Frontline" (1993). Noar is of Jewish parentage and was married to actor Neil Morrissey from 1987 to 1991 and with him she had a son, Sam Morrissey, born in 1989. She has two other children from a subsequent marriage. Noar is also the producer/director of the North London musical theatre company "Impact" which has put on many shows  including "Fiddler on the Roof", "Oliver!" and "The Producers". The proceeds of these shows go to various charities. Noar won The Sylvia Anderson Award for Creativity for her direction on "The Clay Kickers Chorus" in 2018.