Interview: 'To Coin Norma Desmond, “I've Come Home at Last!”': Rachel Tucker on Her Upcoming Concert at Cadogan Hall and Guest-Starring in Jamie Lloyd's SUNSET BOULEVARD

After starring as Beverly Bass in Come From Away on Broadway, Rachel Tucker is back in the UK, this time performing at Cadogan Hall on 5 November! Tucker’s new album, “. . . you’re already home,” will be released on 3 November, 2 days before her concert. And, as icing on the cake, it has recently been announced that Jamie Muscato will be joining Tucker for her concert!

BroadwayWorld spoke with Tucker about the upcoming concert. We discussed what it’s like to be performing at such an iconic venue, her creative process for her new album, and what it's like guest starring as Norma Desmond in Jamie Lloyd's exciting new revival of Sunset Boulevard.

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What is it like getting to perform at Cadogan Hall?

I performed there twice before, and I love the space. And when it was offered to me, I was like, “Absolutely!” I love the venue. I can't wait to do my album there. And it's a beautiful space! I think it's perfect for me and this album right now. It's just the right venue.

What has it been like working on the album?

Amazing! I was filming this year and I was coming back to London to record it [the album] when I could. So for the last six months, it's been nice that I've been able to take time over it and do it whenever I could, whenever I was here in London and ready. I love getting into the studio and recording. These songs have been so carefully handpicked with me, the MD, Adam Dennis, and Rhydian Roberts, our guy from Westway [Music]. We have really enjoyed picking this music and arranging it. So it has been an absolute joy. I haven't done a studio album in a long time, so I've loved getting in and singing my face off in the studio!

What can audience members expect from the concert?

Well, the whole album in its entirety for one! All of the songs we've been working on for the last six to eight months, which I'm so excited to sing for the first time. And there's lots of big, musical theatre, belty songs. Also pop! Lots of Americana, which is the theme that's run through and inspired this album. I'm interested to see and sing the musical theatre songs that are a little poppier and the popular songs that we're making a little bit more theatrical and dramatic. So I'm excited to see how that plays out in front of an audience.

Can you go a bit into your creative process for the album?

So it started last November when I really started thinking about it. I drew up a page of four different ideas. Did I want to do all musical theatre? Did I want to do an Irish album? Did I want to do a country album? Did I want to do a pop album? What I came to find is that I wanted to do a little bit of everything! And then which songs will lend themselves to all those genres, slowly working through lots of suggestions and song selections and through Apple Music and all my favourite playlists. So it was a lot of back and forth. And then once you hear the songs, you have to wait two or three days and listen again with fresh ears. So it was really slow and painstaking. And me being in New York at the time, the time zones are different! The whole work process was very long and arduous, but exciting! Once you find one of the songs, “Right, that's perfect! that's gotta go in!” And then you find down the line, that isn't the song that's gonna end up making it on the album.

Once I got to London, I re-tuned the songs with the musical director and we played through them in different keys, different arrangements. And that was an exciting part of it because that was the time where I got to put my own stamp on well-known songs, to rearrange stuff with my ideas, with Adam’s ideas. So I loved that process, that part of it. But it's a lot of trying to find those original ideas and thoughts in something that's already being done and created, which I like because you have a blueprint, but then I want to make it my blueprint. So I really enjoyed that process, but it's long. It’s taken us months!

What is it like returning to London after your run in New York?

Amazing! [Laughs] We love it. London is home for us, really. I think we found that out more in New York. But we love New York too! We absolutely loved it. It's an amazing city, so vibrant. But London is home, you know? And it seems like lots of doors have opened up. Lots of things are happening. Exciting projects! 

Do you think there'll be any Come From Away songs that fans might be able to hear at the concert?

Oh, there might be! That might make my “favourites” playlist! [Laughs]. Absolutely. I have some favourites in it [the concert] as well. It won’t be just the album - it’ll be a few favourites! You won’t be disappointed. It's gonna be fun. My shows always have a party feel to them. They're not the formal, “sit down and don't speak and don’t clap” shows. They are, “Let's have a bit of a party!”

Do you have any favourite songs you like to perform?

I do love a Tina Turner medley! I love singing Tina. I love stuff from Wicked, from the musicals . . . I also love a good power ballad. There’ll be lots of those as well, I’m sure! [Laughs]

What do you hope audiences take away from the concert?

To coin Norma Desmond, “I've come home at last!” I'm back, making a brand-new album. It's showing the audiences that have followed me and that enjoy what I do. It’s another layer, another look into who I am as a performer, as a singer, as an actress. It's another little glimpse into my thoughts as an artist, to come away going, “Yep! That's definitely Rachel Tucker!” [Laughs] And some things that they didn't know about me. I want them to go away feeling joyful and happy, feeling like they can do anything, which you can if you put your mind to it.

Finally-what has it been like joining Jamie Lloyd's revival of Sunset Boulevard?

Nothing short of an epic experience !

Watching Jamie work, and seeing his ideas come to fruition via this loved and well know Andrew Lloyd Webber Score has been such a career highlights for me. It’s a total gift of a role to have the opportunity to play through this modern, original concept of Jamie’s. This radical production and take on this modern day Norma Desmond will certainly not be forgotten!

Rachel Tucker Performs at Cadogan Hall on 5 November

Rachel is also guest starring as Norma Desmond in all Monday performances of Sunset Boulevard, now playing at the Savoy Theatre until 6 January 2024.