Overview
Valerie is a native Glaswegian who wanted to act from an early age much to the bemusement of her parents. In her late teens, after an art school foundation year, she packed her bags for the bright lights of London and a 3yr course at LAMDA. On graduating and in only her second job, her career suddenly flourished when she was snapped up and flown to New Zealand to play opposite Ken Cranham in the major mini series ‘Heart of the High Country’. On her return her stage work developed quickly with prominent roles for the RSC, RNT, West End, ( Almeida/Garrick) Royal Court, Hampstead and the Bush. Among her favourite roles are Nora (Dolls House), Alice Arden ( Arden of Faversham/ Katie Mitchell), Perdita/Hermione (Winters Tale). More recently she has championed Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse in the UK, in ‘Warm’ and ‘The Dead Dogs’, as well as N.F. Simpson in his final play ‘If So Then Yes’. She realised a long-held ambition last year, appearing at the Edinburgh Festival in Jon Cantor’s ‘Spoons’ directed by Paul Schlesinger at the Gilded Balloon. Major films include ‘Dangerous Liaisons’, ‘One More Kiss’, ‘As You Like It’ and ‘Junkhearts’. In a long and varied television career she is probably best know as Alex ( Robert Carlyle’s girlfriend) in the popular series ‘Hamish MacBeth’. Valerie is a keen runner and can be found rain or shine pounding the pavement in training for this year’s Royal Parks Half Marathon.