she played the character of Lola-Lola, made famous by Marlene Dietrich in the movie of the same name. In 1987, she appeared as Louise in the first replacement cast of the Dave Clark musical Time, opposite David Cassidy. Immediately afterwards, she succeeded Nichola McAucliffe as Kate/Lili Vanessi in the RSC production of Kiss Me Kate at the Savoy Theatre. Over Christmas of 1988 into early 1989 she played the eponymous Cinderella in the pantomime, opposite Lionel Blair as Buttons. In 1990 she toured with the musical Blues in the Night playing The Woman of the World. "Straight" theatre In 1986, Lawrence took on her first dramatic part as Doris in The Owl and the Pussycat touring with Peter Davison. Soon after this she appeared at Oslo International Cabaret in her one-woman show. Blood Brothers In 1990, Lawrence took the role of Mrs. Johnstone in the revival of Willy Russell's Blood Brothers. She played the role for three years, first at the Albery Theatre then subsequently the Phoenix Theatre in London, before moving to create the role in the original Broadway production at the Music Box Theatre in New York City (1993). She was nominated for a Tony Award and won the Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut. She would play the part of Mrs Johnstone on and off for the next few years, during which she performed on the 1995 London Cast Recording. She had to pull out of the production after suffering from exhaustion. After her untimely death, the London production's souvenir brochure included a tribute on the rear cover for a number of years. Later career Lawrence was cast in the role of Grizabella in Cats in the West End in 1998. During this time, she received critical injuries after falling down a flight of stairs. Film In 1987, Lawrence was cast as Frannie in the film Buster, opposite Phil Collins, Julie Walters and Larry Lamb. The film depicted the story of Great Train Robbery of 1963, with her character being the wife of gang leader Bruce Reynolds. Her other film credits include The Likely Lads (1976) and the role of La Carlotta in The Phantom of the Opera (1989). Television Lawrence was briefly a member of the dance troupe Pan's People, during the late 1970s, long after the troupe had ceased performing on Top of the Pops. Lawrence portrayed Mary Magdalene in the ITV play Doubting