'That's Entertainment': West End wishes for York Musical Theatre Company

Tue 01 May 2012

A message of good luck from Rachel Tucker, star of 'Wicked' at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre and BBC’s 'I’d Do Anything':

Dear hard-working members of The York Musical Theatre Company,

Just a note to wish you all the best for your show “That's Entertainment”. Sounds fantastic! I myself have quite an important connection with York as I did one of my first amateur shows there, which we toured to [York] Theatre Royal and Bristol Hippodrome aged 16.

Little did I know that this tour was where I would find out that doing shows was what I wanted to do as a career, it was a very exciting time! Myself and three other cast members sneaked down to London to watch how the pros did it in my first West End show – Chicago, staring the one and only Chita Rivera! I was never so mesmerised and affected by a performer before! She was in all senses of the word a Star! This was when I got my passion and drive to make it happen for me and go follow my dreams to be a West End performer!

Our production was West Side Story and I just so happened to be playing Anita – the role Chita originated in the movie! It may seem insignificant now, but to me, back then as a young, keen West End wannabe, it was a sign, MY sign and that’s all the inspiration I needed!

We were lucky enough to speak with Chita after at stage door and looking back now, boy how luck were we!? We explained we were doing West Side Story up in York and I was playing her role. I told her how she made me feel, that even from way up at the back of the Gods in the cheapest seats it was like she was only performing to me! She laughed and gave me probably the best bit of advice I could have asked for – she said "Kid, don't forget about the Gods, they pay your wages too!" How wonderful!

So have a brilliant run of your show! Break a leg and knock'm dead!

Love Rachel x

Book now for That's Entertainment, York Theatre Royal, 16 - 19 May