Zehra Naqvi

Trained in Musical Theatre at the National Theatre, Melbourne, Australia, I am an experienced voice artist, actress and singer. From lead roles in musicals such as Bombay Dreams on the West End to feature films in Bollywood, India, I have worked extensively in straight theatre, film, television and radio for the last 14 years.

Over the course of my voice over career, I have worked in narration for short stories, performed lead roles in radio plays, corporate voice-over projects and I have provided vocals on numerous soundtracks for musicals. Because of my extensive background in singing and acting, I am also a very fast sight reader and take direction extremely well.

Whatever your audio project, I can deliver your track in a variety of styles, characters and accents ranging from Transatlantic, native Australian( soft and broad), neutral and RP English accents to Indian(soft and broad) My voice type is clear, melodious, animated, natural, confident and upbeat. My playing age ranges from teen, young adult to middle aged.

I also have a fully equipped home studio based in London and can deliver a track in under 24 hrs, if required.

Please do add me to your 'favourites' for future reference if you like what you hear and I look forward to collaborating with you on your next audio project!

 Formación

 She trained in Musical Theatre at the National Theatre, Melbourne, Australia and moved to the UK 15 years ago where she spent most of that time in London working on a variety of productions spanning stage and screen.  Most recently she has moved to the Brighton area (Hove, actually) and has seen her voice over career gain further momentum.

Zehra's professional career has been diverse to say the least.  She has acted in Oliver Award winning productions including Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along at the Donmar Warehouse, South Pacific at the National Theatre and has played the lead female role in the Andrew Lloyd Webber hit musical Bombay Dreams in the West End.  Also, several TV guest appearances, short films, numerous corporate videos and 2 supporting lead roles in Bollywood feature films further add to round out her CV.  It is also worth noting that Zehra is an accomplished singer and has provided her vocals on numerous singing projects for clients around the world.

Zehra’s interest in the voice-over world began when she was cast in two Dr Who radio plays for Big Finish Productions.  She has invested in setting up her own home-studio and continues to add a wide array of projects and clients to her name on a daily basis.  A quick list of the type of voice over projects she has been involved in includes:  

• Radio Drama & Audiobooks (children, adults)
• E-learning projects (children, song, adults, business/corporate)
• Corporate (business presentations, animations, product demos, explainer videos, tutorials, internet, compliance)
• Documentaries (charity, commercials, television)
• Animation & Cartoons (voice, song)
• Video/computer Games
• Adverts/commercials (online, television, radio)

Voice type & range
Zehra’s voice has been described by her clients as warm, friendly, youthful & clear as well as energetic, upbeat, melodious, animated, natural, sincere, confident and informative.  Her natural style and earnest delivery allows Zehra to voice a variety of characterizations ranging from young boys & girls, teenage girls, young adults and all the way through to middle-aged and more senior women, depending upon the brief.

Accents
Her native accent is soft Australian with a warm, clear and youthful tone and her RP English and ‘Transatlantic’ accents are present in a great deal of her commissioned work.  Her Indian roots (and love of Bollywood film) has also proved be an invaluable asset as her Indian accent can be heard in campaigns for numerous multinational organizations while her generic Middle Eastern accent has also featured from time to time.

 Experiencia

'Heron Fleet' by Paul Beatty - Narrator - featured podcast in Short Story Radio
'Concessions' by Cate Bailey - Narrator - featured podcast in for Short Story Radio
'Of Mothers and Little People' - Narrator - featured podcast in www.the storyplayer.com
Nightingale - Audio book
Cry of the Dove - Audiobook
Numerous E-learning and Corporate projects
Videogames
Charity Campaigns
'The Count of Monte Cristo' - singing demo - lead -Andrew Fell Productions
Dr Who - 'LIve 34' - Charlotte Singh - BBC Big Finish Productions
Dr Who- 'The Gathering' - Jodie Boyd - BBCBig Finish Productions
'Mr Christma's - singing demo - lead - Charles Miller
Dubbing for Bollywood feature fim, "Dhan Dhan Dhan Dhan Goal"
Original soundrack of The National Theatre's production of "South Pacific - Abbey Rd Studios
Lead vocals on demo of original musical "The Far Pavillions" by Philip Henderson
Corporate voice over work includes:
Vodaphone
The Body Shop
Samsung