Laura Norton
Laura Norton (born 19 June 1983) is an English actress, known for her role as Kerry Wyatt on the ITV soap opera Emmerdale.
[4] Wanting to pursue an acting career, she undertook a BTEC and HND performing arts courses at North Tyneside College.
[6] Norton returned to the Live Theatre youth project when she was 21 years old, after completing her performing arts courses at North Tyneside College.
The Royal Shakespeare Company in partnership with the Live Theatre, Newcastle, collaborated on a project called Keepers of the Flame.
[9] In 2004, Norton played small roles as Geordie Girl in 55 Degrees North and Susie in Steel River Blues.
After two years away from the stage, Norton returned, booking a role as Sharon in Writing Wrong at The Customs House, South Shields as part of the theatre's February Drama Festival in 2006.
[14] In 2009, Norton appeared in You Couldn't Make It Up, "A fascinating and satirical look at the recent media circus surrounding the trials and tribulations of The Toon Army.
"[15] In the same year, Norton appeared at the Customs House in Lucky Numbers a comedy by playwright Mike Yeaman.
Carol was in a desperate search for her father Frank, who faked his own death and subsequently tracks him down in Cuba to find out the truth.
[23] Commenting on A Nightingale Sang, What's on Stage's Malcolm Wallace praised Norton's portrayal of Helen, saying "Norton takes a while to warm up, but as the evening progresses and the character develops, her performance grows and her final scenes with Jack Bennett, who excellently plays Helen's lover Norman, are dignified and poignant.
"[24] Also in 2010, Norton portrayed the role of lap dancer Carla in Faith & Cold Reading opposite Stephen Tompkinson.
Chris Collett of The Stage magazine commented, she was "restrained yet, heart-rending performance as Carla, Sammy's world weary girlfriend.
[29] She again earned critical acclaim for her role as Chelle, with Paul Clifford of the Shields Gazette giving her a positive review.
"[30] Speaking about the production with co-star Melanie Hill, Norton stated that the characters in the play were "extreme" and all "interweaved into each others lives".
"A collaborative project between the BBC and Northern Film and Media (NFM), aimed at unearthing new laugh-making talent" within the North East.
[35] In 2012, Norton appeared alongside Bev Fox (co-founder), Paula Penman and Jayne Humphreys in partnership with Newcastle-based improvisational group The Suggestibles, at the Newcastle Pride Festival 2012.
[36] Early in 2012, Norton also appeared in I'm Sorry – Present:Tense with Nabakov, a play based around a specific topic effecting the local area of Newcastle.
"[37] Alongside James Baxter and Chloe Allen, Norton was selected to feature in the week-long project under the directorship of Phil Ormrod.
