Her talent for acting was rewarded in 1992 with entry into the NSW Talented Child Drama Ensemble, and has since been honed through years of study at such institutions as Swinburne University, Tamworth Conservatorium of Music and Riverina Drama Ensemble.
She has also undertaken short courses at the highly esteemed NIDA, along with courses in Voice, Movement, Drama and Musical Theatre at various ensembles both in Victoria and interstate.
Madeleine began a University degree in Law, but her passion for performance would not be denied so she deferred her studies when she was offered a major role on Australia’s longest-running series, Neighbours. Playing the character Dionne Bliss, to an average of over a million viewers per night she has rapidly become a very well known face in some 60 countries, watched by over 120 million people every day.
Madeleine has largely contributed to the huge popularity of a series that has been a part of Australian television for 20 years. Another dimension to Madeleine’s character is her natural flair for comedy. She has performed at comedy venues all over Melbourne, including a weekly live improvisation show.
There have also been regular guest appearances on national television including Rove Live and more recently Madeleine appeared as a panelist on hugely popular comedy talk show The Panel. Currently in demand for live shows such as these, Madeleine shows no sign of slowing down.
In 2005 Madeleine hosted “The Cage” on the Triple M breakfast show in Brisbane.
At 16 Madeleine West became a street kid after years in an abusive family and then became a ward of the state. With enormous determination she was able to put herself through school achieving high enough marks to be accepted into Melbourne University Law.
After her performing career had taken off with her leading role in Neighbours, Madeleine was tragically hit by a bus which not only almost killed her but also nearly ended her performing career, something she had worked for so hard and so long to achieve.
It is amazing how many lifetimes can be crammed into just 24 years, but Madeleine West has experienced more in her time than many would even dare imagine. Despite personal tragedy and seemingly impossible odds, Madeleine is fulfilling her ambitions, and is living proof that regardless of the obstacles you face, by setting goals and having faith in yourself, anything is possible.
As Madeleine says, “If you dare to dream, no matter who you are, nothing can stop you...not even a bus!”
