Ruthie trained at Laine Theatre Arts. Following her training, she joined the UK Tour of A Chorus Line, playing Maggie. Ruthie’s West End debut was in Cats, where she played a variety of roles including Jemima, Demeter, Jellylorum, Griddlebone and the leading role of Grizabella.
Following Cats, Ruthie joined the world premiere cast of Miss Saigon, taking over the role of Ellen. She also played Ellen in the final Broadway company of the show, and on the acclaimed symphonic recording.
In 1991, Ruthie created the role of Aphra in Children of Eden before appearances at Chichester Festival in Valentine’s Day, Divorce Me, Darling and Sisterhood. Ruthie then took over as Fantine in the West End production of Les MisŽrables at the Palace Theatre. She was later invited to recreate this role for the acclaimed tenth anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the “Dream Cast”, which was filmed for television.
Ruthie’s appearance in Crazy For You at the Prince Edward Theatre established her as one of the most popular stars in the West End. She was nominated for an Olivier Award for her performance and took the show to Canada where she played opposite Mickey Rooney. Upon her return to the West End, she took over the role of Nancy in Oliver! at the London Palladium.
In 1994, Ruthie starred in She Loves Me at the Savoy Theatre, winning her first Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
Ruthie’s next starred as Roxie in the original London company of the revival of Chicago. Her performance got her nominated for her third Olivier Award, as well as being voted the ‘Most Popular Musical Actress of the past 25 years’ by Theatregoers. Ruthie has played both leading roles in the show in London and on Broadway.
Other appearances in New York include Ziegfeld Follies of 1936 and the plays The Vagina Monologues and The Other Woman. Her appearance in Stephen Sondheim’s Putting It Together, alongside Carol Burnett, was filmed for television.
After three years in New York, Ruthie returned to London to star in Peggy Sue Got Married, which saw her fourth Olivier nomination. She toured the UK as the leading lady in Fosse before returning to the West End in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Woman In White. Ruthie created the title role in Marguerite, a new musical by the creators of Les MisŽrables and Oscar-winner, Michel Legrand. More recently she appeared in Noel Coward’s play Blithe Spirit as Elvira. In 2014 Ruthie took over the role of Mrs. Wilkinson in the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical. In demand as a concert performer, Ruthie has toured extensively in the UK, USA and Australia. Television appearances include: Valery in The Case for BBC, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Law & Order, The Mysteries of 71st Street, The Sound of Musicals and as a judge on Dancing On Ice.

Recordings including: I’ve Loved These Days, Pilgrim, The Ruthie Henshall Album, Love Is Here To Stay, Chicago, She Loves Me, Crazy For You, Les MisŽrables, The Children of Eden and I Love Musicals.
Ruthie’s book So You Want To Be In Musicals was released in 2012.
Ruthie is currently touring the UK in “An Intimate Evening with Ruthie Henshall”