I managed to catch the show again with Rachel Tucker last night (and I also managed to catch the show with Tom Francis' understudy recently), a couple thoughts:
1. The show works with Rachel Tucker - but it comes across much more like an avant grade off-broadway production that has made it to the West End rather than the event that the show feels like with Nicole. It almost feels like an ensemble piece between the leads rather than the same kind of overwhelming star presence.
2. Rachel Tucker's performance is great, it's a little more serious and angry than Nicole. However, she actually just doesn't have Nicole S's vocal ability/vocal acting ability. Occasionally you can hear Rachel T might be able to belt a little stronger for a couple of notes, but overall Nicole S is giving a master class in vocal acting - she can sing with the intimacy and vulnerability of Bernadette Peters and with the power of Betty Buckley. It's also a brand new and unique sound - not just a derivative pop interpretation. It's just a different league of performance. It's very hard to compete with Barbara Streisand in Funny Girl, or Alice Ripley in next to normal, or Bernadette in Sunday. And this is no exception. In addition to her stronger and more unique voice, she also brings her star presence and charisma. This elevates the whole show greatly.
3. Tom Francis makes a very powerful leading man impact and is almost irreplaceable. I expect that he should transfer with the show from London. The vocals are good, not the most perfect ever - and his acting is good - again may not be the most perfect ever. But what he has is stage presence, star power, charisma and looks. I would not be surprised if this is a future stage star (as much as one can be these days)
4. The production, I was just absolutely floored paying close attention to how exactly they manage to make this material work. For example, using static choreography while people are singing the overly colourful and odd-toned music. Not only does it help avoid issues of the 2017 revival where it just feels too camp and busy, it also actually might be creating new dramatic layers in the material that wasn't seen before where we the music is at odds with what is being presented visually, creating this unusual subtextual atmosphere that feels intentional not like a bandaid. Similarly, framing ultra cringe romantic dialogue between the younger leads as a kind of intentional melodramatic film scene. It excuses the material. I've never seen a production before that has made me realise a Director can overcome flawed writing so much
5. With Nicole at least, the whole show and voice plays to the back of the balcony (and the projections actually keep people even right at the back close up for the most intimate moments). I have no worry whatsoever about this playing in a large theatre like the St James. The show is weirdly intimate but not at the same time.
Just a stunning production.
Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.
