Review: RACHEL TUCKER, Live at Zédel

With credits like We Will Rock You, Wicked and The Last Ship, West End and Broadway leading lady Rachel Tucker certainly has an impressive vocal range, shown off brilliantly in her first solo show - the national tour currently playing London's Brasserie Zédel.

It's relatively easy for Tucker to engage the crowd, and she's effortlessly smooth in her journey through music. With songs spanning shows like Dear Evan Hansen, Bridges of Madison County, Chicago, Waitress and more, her choices are solid but sometimes lack a fil rouge in the transitions - despite personal stories, some appear rather random.

Her vocals are flawless, energetic, and emotive with a control worthy of an experienced performer, although some deliveries are definitely more heartfelt than others. Her interpretation of "She Used To Be Mine" from Sara Bareilles's acclaimed musical Waitress is outstanding and spine-tingling, while her mash-up of "What I Did For Love" (A Chorus Line) and Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were" with Rachael Wooding, although an interesting one, is rather perplexing.

The expected Wicked grand finale, offered in a stripped-down rendition, doesn't do full justice to Stephen Schwartz's music nor Tucker's celebrated Elphaba, but - accompanied by three excellent musicians - her immense voice anchors an engaging show.

Rachel Tucker is live in concert at Brasserie Zédel 21, 23, and 25 March

Read our interview with Rachel Tucker