Rachel Tucker
Rachel Tucker
Rachel Kelly Tuckeris a Northern Irish singer and actress who competed as one of the finalists in the BBC talent show-themed television series I'd Do Anything in 2008. She is perhaps best known for playing Elphaba in the hit musical Wicked in the West End, where she played the role longer than any other actress in the production's history, and on Broadway...
NationalityIrish
ProfessionStage Actress
Date of Birth29 May 1981
CountryIreland
belfast believe clubs coming crowd dad pubs shirley tina took turner
I started singing in pubs and clubs around Belfast when I was 10. My dad is a musician, and he took me 'round; I impersonated Tina Turner and Shirley Bassey, and the crowd couldn't believe what was coming out of this little girl.
people shouting sites unbearable
We lived in Manhattan, which was unbearable sometimes because it was so noisy. There were sirens blaring, construction sites going, people shouting and swearing at each other.
academy favorite royal saw
'We Will Rock You' is one of my favorite shows. I first saw it when I was a student at the Royal Academy and loved it.
york
Living in New York for 10 months was incredible; it was everything I thought it was going to be and more.
brought home instead watched
I'd been brought up on musicals. Instead of cartoons, we watched videocassettes of musicals at home.
forced glad husband listen pick start thankful took
I am glad and thankful that my husband forced me to start reading for pleasure, as it took me years to listen to him and pick up a book!
tv ultimate
I did a reality TV show in London called 'I'd Do Anything,' and when I got put in the program, they said, 'What is your ultimate dream?' and I said, 'Broadway.'
dad
When my dad, Tommy Tucker Kelly, was about six, he started out with his dad on 'The Black and White Minstrel' Shows.
catholic folks home matter ministers relief side
It's such a relief to see Catholic and Protestant ministers getting on - that's so rare. And in 'I'd Do Anything,' I've had so much support from folks back home, no matter what side they're on.
Sting is a father figure to us all.
dame grand pantomime seats
We used to have front-row seats for the Grand Opera House pantomime every year, and once the dame May McFettridge got me up on-stage.
background believe head information knew life lost months role running stuck study wicked witch
When I was in the running for the role of Elphaba, I knew it was important to research and study as much background information as I could, so I got my head stuck into 'Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West' by Gregory Maguire, and I believe I lost many days, weeks, and months reading it - I was captivated!
certain hear lived news opposite shot sing soldiers somebody talk
All you would hear every night on the news was that somebody had been shot dead in a certain part of Belfast. We lived opposite a judge, and there were always soldiers crouched down in our garden. We'd sit and talk to them, and I even used to sing to them!
achievement attention comprehend enjoy finished held kept relief straight until wanting
It had to be a book that held my attention and kept me wanting to read it; when my husband finished 'The Road', I started it straight away and didn't put it down until I finished - it was such an achievement and relief to know that I could read, comprehend and, most importantly, enjoy a book!