Big Interview: Rachel Tucker

Rachel Tucker was a semi-finalist on I’d Do Anything, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s television search for an actress to play Nancy in a West End revival of Oliver. After leaving the competition Rachel joined the West End production of We Will Rock You, starring as Meat and understudying Scaramouche.

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!

Album Review: The Reason by Rachel Tucker

The Reason

Rachel Tucker

Big Hand Recordings

Albums made by musical theatre stars run risk of sounding unimaginative when filled with predictable covers. Rachel Tucker's debut solo album, The Reason, may be an album of covers but Rachel has chosen every single song for a reason and (along with the help of her team) has made each song her own. Most importantly the album features a good mix of pop songs, songs Rachel grew up performing as well as musical theatre numbers. 

Sneak peek at... Rachel Tucker's debut album 'The Reason'

West End star Rachel Tucker will release her debut album, 'The Reason', on 12th August 2013 . Featuring songs Rachel has sung throughout her childhood and career,  each track has been carefully hand picked by the star. You can listen to a 90 second preview of each album track below.

Following her appearance on BBC1's I'd Do Anything, Rachel joined the West End production of We Will Rock You playing Meat. She then went onto star as Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked, playing the role for two-and-a-half years and over 1,000 performances. Rachel played the iconic role for longer than any other actress in the production's history and her album debuts a brand new version of Wicked’s most iconic song, ‘Defying Gravity'. 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 Tucker to perform second solo concert at the St. James Theatre

Following Rachel Tucker's recent sold out concert, it has been announced that she will perform her one-woman show in the main house at the St. James Theatre on 13 October 2013. The concert will see Rachel perform songs from her upcoming debut album, The Reason.

Rachel is well known for playing Elphaba in Wicked. She starred in the West End production at the Apollo Victoria Theatre for two-and-a-half years, playing the role in over 1,000 performances, meaning she has played the iconic role for longer than any other actress in the production's history. 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 Tucker to perform first ever solo concert at the St James Theatre and names solo album 'The Reason'

It has been announced that Rachel Tucker will star in her first ever solo concert in London. 'Rachel Tucker For One Night Only Live In Concert' takes place at the St James Theatre on 25th July 2013. It has also been revealed that her debut solo album will be called 'The Reason' and will be released on 22nd July 2013.

Rachel said: “People have asked me for years if I would ever record an album – well I’m absolutely thrilled to finally be able to say YES ! I can’t wait to get the chance to perform it live”

In March it was announced that Rachel had signed a record deal with Big Hand Recordings in a joint venture with Elate Studio. Rachel is well known playing Elphaba in Wicked. She starred in the West End show at the Apollo Victoria Theatre for two-and-a-half years.

Rachel played Elphaba for over 1,000 performances meaning she has played the iconic role for longer than any other actress in the production's history. 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.