Ruthie has become something of a fixture on the West End stage since she joined the cast of Cats nearly 10 years ago, straight from playing Maggie in the UK tour of A Chorus Line. In Cats she had the rare distinction of appearing in a variety of roles; Jemima, Demeter, Jellylorum, Griddlebone and Grizabella. She was the American wife in Miss Saigon (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), and afterwards Aphra in Children of Eden (Prince Edward Theatre).
After a summer at the Chichester Festival playing Shakespeare, Moliere and the musical Valentines's Day (she was back at Chichester again this year for Divorce Me Darling!), she then moved to the Place Theatre as Fantine in Les Miserables. Picked for the plum role of Polly in the Gershwin hit Crazy For You, Ruthie was nominated for an Olivier award and then she then on to win an Olivier for Best Actress in a Musical in 1955 for her portrayal of Amalia Balash I the much honored She Loves Me (Savoy Theatre).
Ruthie recreated the role of Polly in Toronto with the legendary Mickey Rooney playing her father, followed by a highly-praised run as Nancy in Oliver! (London Palladium). She has appeared in concert at the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall and sang Fantine in the star filled Les Miserable - 10th Anniversary Concert.
Albums include the original cast recordings of Miss Saigon and Crazy for You as well as Symphonic Miss Saigon and Les Miserable - 10 Th. Anniversary Concert recording. Her debut album Love is here to Stay is a personal Gershwin and the Ruthie Henshall album backed her recent national concert tour.
After the critically acclaimed part as Velma in 'Chicago', Ruthie went to Broadway to star with the legendary Carol Burnett in 'Putting It Together'.