Following a successful run Rachel joined the West End production of Wicked playing Elphaba. Rachel starred in the iconic role for nearly three years and over 1,000 performances, making her the West End’s longest serving Elphaba.
Last year Rachel won the West End Frame Award for Best Performance of a Song in a Musical for her performance of Defying Gravity in Wicked.
Rachel left Wicked last October following the announcement of her pregnancy and in March it was revealed that she had signed to Big Hand Recordings in a joint venture with Elate Studio and would release her debut album in August 2013. The album, The Reason, was released last week and has received both public and critical acclaim. The Reason is a very personal album, featuring popular songs from Rachel’s career and childhood, as well as handpicked numbers which have special meaning to the West End star.
Rachel’s other theatre credits include: Mary in Tonight's The Night (national tour), Maureen Johnson in Rent (Olympia Theatre, Dublin), Sally Simpson in The Who's Tommy (national tour), Estelle Genovese in The Full Monty directed by Jack O'Brien (national tour), Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (Lyric Theatre, Belfast) for which she received a 2008 TMA Theatre Award Nomination for Best Performance in a Musical, Grace Power in To Be Sure, Kelly in Merry Christmas Betty Ford and Amy in Have A Nice Life (Lyric Theatre, Belfast).
Rachel also played Meg Giry in the workshop of Love Never Dies and co-presented The Friday Show opposite Eamonn Holmes for the BBC. Earlier this month it was announced that Rachel will star alongside Max Irons in Farragut North at the Southwark Playhouse.
I recently spoke to Rachel about why she decided to create such a personal album, what she misses most about Wicked and what attracted her to starring in Farragut North at the Southwark Playhouse.
Having worked on your album for several months, how did you feel about people hearing it?
I was very excited! The whole process took around eight or nine months and over the last month I listened to the final versions over and over again. I felt like it was finally time for everybody else to hear what we’ve been working on! Obviously I was also a bit nervous, it comes with the territory – it’s out there for people to like or to criticise!
I was very excited! The whole process took around eight or nine months and over the last month I listened to the final versions over and over again. I felt like it was finally time for everybody else to hear what we’ve been working on! Obviously I was also a bit nervous, it comes with the territory – it’s out there for people to like or to criticise!
Are you pleased with the final result?
Yes, very pleased! This being my first album I was quite unfamiliar with how it works, so to listen to the album in full after it had been mastered took it to the next level, it was incredible!
Yes, very pleased! This being my first album I was quite unfamiliar with how it works, so to listen to the album in full after it had been mastered took it to the next level, it was incredible!
Is an album something you wanted to do for a while?
Yes it was. Over the last three years I started to contemplate doing an album but before then I always used to say “no – I’m not ready” because I knew that you have to put all your time into it and it’s not just something you can squeeze in between shows. It was only when I really started thinking about doing it that I realised I had something to offer. It’s been a long time coming!
Yes it was. Over the last three years I started to contemplate doing an album but before then I always used to say “no – I’m not ready” because I knew that you have to put all your time into it and it’s not just something you can squeeze in between shows. It was only when I really started thinking about doing it that I realised I had something to offer. It’s been a long time coming!
The Reason has a very personal feel, was that always your intention?
Yes definitely. I’m not a singer/songwriter – I’ve written a few songs throughout my life, but I would never describe myself as a singer/songwriter so it was always going to be an album of covers. I wanted to do covers because I love singing great songs! I wanted song choices to be relevant to experiences or childhood memories. I handpicked each song and it was very important that each one was personal, although some are more personal than others, for example I recorded Small Bump while I was pregnant!
Yes definitely. I’m not a singer/songwriter – I’ve written a few songs throughout my life, but I would never describe myself as a singer/songwriter so it was always going to be an album of covers. I wanted to do covers because I love singing great songs! I wanted song choices to be relevant to experiences or childhood memories. I handpicked each song and it was very important that each one was personal, although some are more personal than others, for example I recorded Small Bump while I was pregnant!
So how was the song selection process for you? Was it hard to narrow it down or did the ten songs jump out to you quite naturally?
It was a long process because I had to get it right. I started with an original list of around twenty songs, some of them got crossed off and then others made it onto the next list and so on. Then a few songs were added. Then I thought I had my ten but realised a few weren’t quite right because they weren’t personal or relevant enough to me. I had to be careful!
It was a long process because I had to get it right. I started with an original list of around twenty songs, some of them got crossed off and then others made it onto the next list and so on. Then a few songs were added. Then I thought I had my ten but realised a few weren’t quite right because they weren’t personal or relevant enough to me. I had to be careful!
Rachel as Meat in We Will Rock You
You recently performed your first solo concert in the studio space at the St. James Theatre. The concert sold out within an hour – how did it feel to have such an amazing response?!
It was incredible! I had absolutely no idea! Some of the fans kindly offered me their tickets because I didn’t have any tickets for my family! It was unexpected, I had no idea how quickly it would sell! I phoned my sister in the afternoon and told her that it was sold out and she said the family were quite cross that I hadn’t thought to reserve seats - I just thought they would be able to book during the week. I just had no idea and was delighted... but slightly worried about how I was going to get my family to see my first concert!
It was incredible! I had absolutely no idea! Some of the fans kindly offered me their tickets because I didn’t have any tickets for my family! It was unexpected, I had no idea how quickly it would sell! I phoned my sister in the afternoon and told her that it was sold out and she said the family were quite cross that I hadn’t thought to reserve seats - I just thought they would be able to book during the week. I just had no idea and was delighted... but slightly worried about how I was going to get my family to see my first concert!
You have another one coming up in the main space at the St. James Theatre, what can people expect from this second concert?
I’m really excited about the next one because I’ve got all my first time nerves out of the way which means I can be a bit more ambitious! I want to do a bit more than just the ten tracks on the album. I am going to include extra songs from shows that I’ve done as well as more songs which have personal relevance and that I love singing. Sometimes you don’t get the chance to sing certain songs again once you leave a show so this will be the perfect opportunity! I might have a few guests, my lovely Dad included! It’s definitely going to be bigger and bolder, and hopefully just as exciting as the last one.
I’m really excited about the next one because I’ve got all my first time nerves out of the way which means I can be a bit more ambitious! I want to do a bit more than just the ten tracks on the album. I am going to include extra songs from shows that I’ve done as well as more songs which have personal relevance and that I love singing. Sometimes you don’t get the chance to sing certain songs again once you leave a show so this will be the perfect opportunity! I might have a few guests, my lovely Dad included! It’s definitely going to be bigger and bolder, and hopefully just as exciting as the last one.
I just miss doing the show and being a part of a company! I loved being part of the team! Elphaba was always a dream role for me so for that to be my job for nearly three years was a dream come true. It’s a tough role to sing, it’s pretty hardcore, but when you love something so much it’s really not hard work. It might have been a job but it was also something I loved doing.
Last year you won the West End Frame Award for Best Performance of a Song in a Musical for your performance of Defying Gravity in the show. What was it like performing that song each night?
Amazing! It wasn’t like each night I pinched myself and went “oh my goodness, I’m singing Defying Gravity” because I did it for so long. Each night I had to see how I was feeling and think about whether I was feeling physically tired or vocally tired and pace myself throughout the show accordingly. Then when I got into it I always wanted to better what I had done the night or week before and try and get something new from the song. Everybody knows Defying Gravity is the big number so I had to live up to that as much as I could every evening without shattering my voice [laughs]!
Amazing! It wasn’t like each night I pinched myself and went “oh my goodness, I’m singing Defying Gravity” because I did it for so long. Each night I had to see how I was feeling and think about whether I was feeling physically tired or vocally tired and pace myself throughout the show accordingly. Then when I got into it I always wanted to better what I had done the night or week before and try and get something new from the song. Everybody knows Defying Gravity is the big number so I had to live up to that as much as I could every evening without shattering my voice [laughs]!
What went through your head before you flew and sang the song’s huge climax?
Actually, so much of what went through my mind was technical, because if I didn’t do the technical side of things right then I wouldn’t fly which would be a massive anti-climax for all the people who are waiting for that big moment. Also lots of health and safety issues went through my head and then I had to think about where I was going to place the song and think about how I was feeling and maybe decide “I need to take it a bit easier on this line tonight”. Depending on the conductor, sometimes the show was a bit slower, which made it harder, or sometimes you had a fast show, or sometimes I would feel so buzzed up and sing through it with no problem – there really are so many elements which make every single night different and there is so much you have to have in place before you even open your mouth! It’s hard to believe that all that happens in just ten seconds!
Actually, so much of what went through my mind was technical, because if I didn’t do the technical side of things right then I wouldn’t fly which would be a massive anti-climax for all the people who are waiting for that big moment. Also lots of health and safety issues went through my head and then I had to think about where I was going to place the song and think about how I was feeling and maybe decide “I need to take it a bit easier on this line tonight”. Depending on the conductor, sometimes the show was a bit slower, which made it harder, or sometimes you had a fast show, or sometimes I would feel so buzzed up and sing through it with no problem – there really are so many elements which make every single night different and there is so much you have to have in place before you even open your mouth! It’s hard to believe that all that happens in just ten seconds!
Rachel as Elphaba in Wicked
As you mentioned, Elphaba is a dream role for so many people. What was the audition process like?
It was unreal – I think I had seven auditions. You have to go in and sing your own stuff and then perform some of the material from the show. Then they get you back in and re-direct you, it was just insane! And with each audition I felt like I had to top myself and live up to what I did at the last audition. They want you to be the part and they want you to be brilliant, but it felt so daunting to be part of such a huge process.
It was unreal – I think I had seven auditions. You have to go in and sing your own stuff and then perform some of the material from the show. Then they get you back in and re-direct you, it was just insane! And with each audition I felt like I had to top myself and live up to what I did at the last audition. They want you to be the part and they want you to be brilliant, but it felt so daunting to be part of such a huge process.
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| Louise Dearman and Rachel Tucker |
It was something else, it really blew my mind! I couldn’t quite believe it. In fact, I couldn’t actually hear myself sing, it was that loud! I just had to trust that I had done it for three years and that I knew how to sing it. I actually wasn’t well on my last week, I had a chest infection and was absolutely devastated. I couldn’t do the matinees just to make sure I was there for my final performance. Plus, on top of that I was pregnant for my final few months! The last night was insane and I felt very overwhelmed afterwards, the crowd at the stage door was huge and I couldn’t even do photos with people, I just had to wave at cameras and say a quick hello.
It was recently announced that you’re starring in a play called Farragut North at the Southwark Playhouse. What attracted you to the production?
Well, I was asked to audition for it and, as an actress, to do a play at the Southwark Playhouse is – wow - a great gig at a lovely venue! I also liked the thought of doing a play, I’ve done plays before but never in London. People know I can act anyway but to do something which doesn't require singing is a nice change. Usually in auditions they ask you to sing first, so to go into the audition room and read for this hard-nosed journalist who’s only out for herself felt very refreshing. I think it’s good for me to keep myself on my toes! The team working on the show are amazing and it’s exciting to be a part of the UK premiere! I’ve watched the film a few times and love it.
Well, I was asked to audition for it and, as an actress, to do a play at the Southwark Playhouse is – wow - a great gig at a lovely venue! I also liked the thought of doing a play, I’ve done plays before but never in London. People know I can act anyway but to do something which doesn't require singing is a nice change. Usually in auditions they ask you to sing first, so to go into the audition room and read for this hard-nosed journalist who’s only out for herself felt very refreshing. I think it’s good for me to keep myself on my toes! The team working on the show are amazing and it’s exciting to be a part of the UK premiere! I’ve watched the film a few times and love it.
Is it possible for you to have any dream roles?
Oh yes! There are always roles that I would love to play! Ideally I would love to do a brand new show where I can start from scratch and create a new role. I would love to do Calamity Jane. I was brought up with all the classics - Sound Of Music, Singin’ in the Rain and so on, so I would love to dig my teeth into one of those amazing female roles!
Oh yes! There are always roles that I would love to play! Ideally I would love to do a brand new show where I can start from scratch and create a new role. I would love to do Calamity Jane. I was brought up with all the classics - Sound Of Music, Singin’ in the Rain and so on, so I would love to dig my teeth into one of those amazing female roles!
Finally, you've mentioned how dedicated your fans are, what’s it like having so much support behind you?
It really is hard to believe sometimes. When I left Wicked I was so thankful to my fans so made a thank you video. My friend who dressed me at Wicked, Troy, and I made the video which included lots of letters and stage door photos from the three years. I also recorded a message after I had de-greenified for the last time. I did it in one take and we put it up on YouTube, it was definitely the easiest way to thank everyone! People’s support is just incredible and it means so much to me.
It really is hard to believe sometimes. When I left Wicked I was so thankful to my fans so made a thank you video. My friend who dressed me at Wicked, Troy, and I made the video which included lots of letters and stage door photos from the three years. I also recorded a message after I had de-greenified for the last time. I did it in one take and we put it up on YouTube, it was definitely the easiest way to thank everyone! People’s support is just incredible and it means so much to me.
Interviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
The Reason is avaliable to buy from Rachel's Website, Dress Circle and iTunes.
Click here to read West End Frame's five star review.
Farragut North runs at the Southwark Playhouse from 11th September until 5th October 2013.
Please visit www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk for further information.
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Wow wow wow, amazing interview! Rachel is perfect!!!! She was lovely at the album signing and I cant wait for her next concert because I couldn't get to see the first one.
ReplyDeleteI have The Reason on repeat, so happy Rachel finally made an album! She is so kind!
ReplyDeleteReally looking forward to seeing rachel in Farragut North, going to be completly different. But i hope she does another musical soon!
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