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
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!
dad
When my dad, Tommy Tucker Kelly, was about six, he started out with his dad on 'The Black and White Minstrel' Shows.
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.
brought home instead watched
I'd been brought up on musicals. Instead of cartoons, we watched videocassettes of musicals at home.
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.
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!
auditions bus drop fare hanging home later lyric mum pushy teens wings
My mum was no pushy parent. She would drop me off for auditions when I was in my teens at the Lyric Theatre, then give me my bus fare and say she would see me later at home. She wasn't hanging around in the wings geeing me on. I had to do it on my own; it was up to me.
york
Living in New York for 10 months was incredible; it was everything I thought it was going to be and more.
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.'
Green is one of my favorite colors - emerald green.
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!
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.
I pride myself on not being run of the mill. I don't want to be your umpteenth Fantine in 'Les Miz.'
compulsory quite surprising
I like surprising my audiences, and it's compulsory to have fun and be silly; I never take myself quite too seriously.