Rachel earns top theatre award for role in September 11 musical
BELFAST stage star Rachel Tucker has scooped a gong at the WhatsOnStage Awards for her performance in a musical set in the days following the September 11 attacks.
Tucker, best known for her portrayal of Elphaba in the hit musical Wicked, won Best Supporting Actress In A Musical for her West End role in Come From Away.
The 38-year-old plays Beverley Bass, an American aircraft pilot and the first female captain of an American Airlines commercial plane.
Come From Away is set in the week after the September 11 attacks and tells the true story of what transpired when 38 planes were ordered to land unexpectedly in the small town of Gander, in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
The play also won Best New Musical at the awards in London on Sunday night.
Tucker, who has now joined the Broadway cast, said she was “delighted” to have won in a pre-recorded video speech.
“I am delighted to be given this award.”
She added: “Sorry I cannot be there in person to pick it up myself.
“Thanks to everyone who voted... I appreciate every vote. Lots of love from over here in New York.”
The actress’s theatre director husband Guy Retallack picked up the award on her behalf.
The awards, hosted by Jodie Prenger and Tom Read Wilson and which were broadcast live on BBC Radio 2, are voted for by theatre-goers.
The event took place at the Prince of Wales Theatre.
The night’s big winner was & Juliet with six awards, receiving Best Actress In A Musical for Miriam-Teak Lee, as well as gongs for set design and costume.
Claire Foy, famous for playing the Queen in The Crown, won Best Actress In A Play for her role in Lungs, in which she appeared with her The Crown costar, Matt Smith.
Smith was also up for the Best Actor In A Play award for his performance in Lungs at The Old Vic.
However, he lost out to Fleabag star Andrew Scott.