Lisa was born in England, and emigrated with her parents to New Zealand at the age of ten. A love of music saw Lisa seek out local theatre organisations where she gained a solid grounding in dance, drama and vocals, performing many lead roles and ultimately starring as Sugar in "Some Like it Hot" alongside Derek Metzger.
Lisa's love of entertaining saw her return to England in her early twenties to pursue the performing arts as a career. She was awarded a place at the Italia Conti Performing Arts School, but chose to join the UK Holiday Cabaret circuit performing alongside some of England's top Jazz and Cabaret artists. Lisa toured a one-woman cabaret show for three years, and was awarded "Female Vocalist of the Year".
In 1995 Lisa won the vocal section, and was overall runner-up in the UK's "Stairway to the Stars" National Showcase, and recorded the highest audience vote in the history of the competition.
The theatre was never far from Lisa's thoughts, and during her time in England she also starred in "West End Showstoppers", a production which toured some of the UK's best loved theatres and opera houses.
Upon returning home to New Zealand, Lisa and musical director Tim Evans created several one-woman cabaret shows featuring the music of some of the great contemporary writers. The recurring theme - a single woman struggling her way through love and life to songs by Sondheim, Kander and Ebb, and Jason Robert Brown.
Lisa was awarded the Variety Artists Club of NZ's "Rising Star" in 1999, and she has appeared in Television NZ's "Christmas Party Gala", "Showcase", and "Good Morning".
In 2001 and 2002, Lisa attended the Sydney Cabaret Convention and placed in the top three both years. The judges commending both her vocal talent and stylish presentation, recognition of those years spent learning alongside the best in the UK.
“Lisa Lorrell, another New Zealand arrival, proved to be one of the most stylish showcase entrants in terms
of voice and skill in “working the house”.
David M. Schwartz, Judge 2001
In 2005 Lisa was cast as "the Lady Golfer", the female lead in "Golf - The Musical". This production was staged at Sky City Theatre in Auckland and also featured Ray Woolf, Russell Dixon and Mark Hadlow. Mark and Lisa formed a great friendship and they perform regularly today on the corporate entertainment circuit.
2006 and 2007 proved to be very busy years for Lisa. Several national tours performing music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Rogers and Hammerstein, and supporting UK Tom Jones tribute artist Tom Scott as he played major centres throughout the country. Lisa performed the music of Barbra Streisand and Shirley Bassey to standing ovations in most centres.
In recent years Lisa has performed at numerous private and corporate events. These include functions for The Maritime Museum, The Icehouse, Packaging Council of NZ, The Diabetes Foundation of NZ and Sir Michael Fay. She has also appeared as a guest artist with The City Of Sails Barbershop Chorus, The Navy Band and Mark Hadlow.
In December 2012, Lisa was invited to perform at The Norfolk Island Jazz Festival. The only New Zealand artist at the festival, Lisa fast became a crowd favourite performing classic and contemporary swing numbers.
"Lisa not only met our expectations, she far exceeded them!" Agnes Hain, Festival organiser.
From 2009 - 2022, Lisa taught performing arts at Dilworth Senior Campus, with most of her boys gaining distinction in their Trinity College Musical Theatre exams.
She also works with the Community Choir at Ryman's Possum Borne Retirement Village.
At the suggestion of one of the village's activities coordinator, Lisa performed an
evening cabaret show which went down a storm.
Now, a regular guest at many Villages, Lisa consistently sells out.
With husband Richard in tow as technician, Lisa performs with high quality sound reinforcement and lighting rig.
"We like to be a little bit different and give the audience more of a theatrical experience. The sound and lights just add to the atmosphere and help make a really special evening".
"Residents and guests were buzzing after a flawless and effortless vocal performance from Lisa covering a huge variety of genres. They were mesmerised by her musical talent and ability and enjoyed her personality and story of her journey. I can honestly say that the feedback is that this was the best concert we have ever had, and there have been many. They can’t wait to have her back. Absolutely beautiful!
I cannot recommend Lisa highly enough".
Jan Corbett
Sales Advisor Bob Owens Retirement Village – Ryman Healthcare
During 2022 Lisa was approached by director David Coddington of "The Real Theatre Company"
to perform Andrew Lloyd Webber's one-woman musical "Tell Me On a Sunday" as part of the Hawkes Bay Arts Festival.
In early October, Lisa travelled to "The Bay" to rehearse with David and the band, and then performed in multiple venues
from Napier to Waipawa.
Lisa's love of entertaining saw her return to England in her early twenties to pursue the performing arts as a career. She was awarded a place at the Italia Conti Performing Arts School, but chose to join the UK Holiday Cabaret circuit performing alongside some of England's top Jazz and Cabaret artists. Lisa toured a one-woman cabaret show for three years, and was awarded "Female Vocalist of the Year".
In 1995 Lisa won the vocal section, and was overall runner-up in the UK's "Stairway to the Stars" National Showcase, and recorded the highest audience vote in the history of the competition.
The theatre was never far from Lisa's thoughts, and during her time in England she also starred in "West End Showstoppers", a production which toured some of the UK's best loved theatres and opera houses.
Upon returning home to New Zealand, Lisa and musical director Tim Evans created several one-woman cabaret shows featuring the music of some of the great contemporary writers. The recurring theme - a single woman struggling her way through love and life to songs by Sondheim, Kander and Ebb, and Jason Robert Brown.
Lisa was awarded the Variety Artists Club of NZ's "Rising Star" in 1999, and she has appeared in Television NZ's "Christmas Party Gala", "Showcase", and "Good Morning".
In 2001 and 2002, Lisa attended the Sydney Cabaret Convention and placed in the top three both years. The judges commending both her vocal talent and stylish presentation, recognition of those years spent learning alongside the best in the UK.
“Lisa Lorrell, another New Zealand arrival, proved to be one of the most stylish showcase entrants in terms
of voice and skill in “working the house”.
David M. Schwartz, Judge 2001
In 2005 Lisa was cast as "the Lady Golfer", the female lead in "Golf - The Musical". This production was staged at Sky City Theatre in Auckland and also featured Ray Woolf, Russell Dixon and Mark Hadlow. Mark and Lisa formed a great friendship and they perform regularly today on the corporate entertainment circuit.
2006 and 2007 proved to be very busy years for Lisa. Several national tours performing music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Rogers and Hammerstein, and supporting UK Tom Jones tribute artist Tom Scott as he played major centres throughout the country. Lisa performed the music of Barbra Streisand and Shirley Bassey to standing ovations in most centres.
In recent years Lisa has performed at numerous private and corporate events. These include functions for The Maritime Museum, The Icehouse, Packaging Council of NZ, The Diabetes Foundation of NZ and Sir Michael Fay. She has also appeared as a guest artist with The City Of Sails Barbershop Chorus, The Navy Band and Mark Hadlow.
In December 2012, Lisa was invited to perform at The Norfolk Island Jazz Festival. The only New Zealand artist at the festival, Lisa fast became a crowd favourite performing classic and contemporary swing numbers.
"Lisa not only met our expectations, she far exceeded them!" Agnes Hain, Festival organiser.
From 2009 - 2022, Lisa taught performing arts at Dilworth Senior Campus, with most of her boys gaining distinction in their Trinity College Musical Theatre exams.
She also works with the Community Choir at Ryman's Possum Borne Retirement Village.
At the suggestion of one of the village's activities coordinator, Lisa performed an
evening cabaret show which went down a storm.
Now, a regular guest at many Villages, Lisa consistently sells out.
With husband Richard in tow as technician, Lisa performs with high quality sound reinforcement and lighting rig.
"We like to be a little bit different and give the audience more of a theatrical experience. The sound and lights just add to the atmosphere and help make a really special evening".
"Residents and guests were buzzing after a flawless and effortless vocal performance from Lisa covering a huge variety of genres. They were mesmerised by her musical talent and ability and enjoyed her personality and story of her journey. I can honestly say that the feedback is that this was the best concert we have ever had, and there have been many. They can’t wait to have her back. Absolutely beautiful!
I cannot recommend Lisa highly enough".
Jan Corbett
Sales Advisor Bob Owens Retirement Village – Ryman Healthcare
During 2022 Lisa was approached by director David Coddington of "The Real Theatre Company"
to perform Andrew Lloyd Webber's one-woman musical "Tell Me On a Sunday" as part of the Hawkes Bay Arts Festival.
In early October, Lisa travelled to "The Bay" to rehearse with David and the band, and then performed in multiple venues
from Napier to Waipawa.