How stagey are you? Rachel Tucker vs Lucy Briggs Owen

Lucy Briggs-Owen

Lucy was nominated for a WhatsOnStage Award this year for her performance in Shakespeare in Love at the Noel Coward Theatre.

Other recent theatre credits include Fortune’s Fool (Old Vic), Midsummer Night’s Dreaming, Boris Godunov, The Orphan of Zhao, Cardenio, The City Madam and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (RSC), Noises Off (West End).

She is currently appearing at the Menier Chocolate Factory in Communicating Doors.

Rachel Tucker

Rachel is a WhatsOnStage Award winner best known for the BBC talent show I'd Do Anything and for playing Elphaba in Wicked.

Other theatre credits include We Will Rock You (Dominion) and The Last Ship on Broadway.

She plays Poopay in the Menier Chocolate Factory production of Communicating Doors.

What was the last show you went to see?

Can't remember if it was Clarence Darrow at the Old Vic or Buyer and Seller here at the Menier – can't remember which was the last before we got busy here in the evenings. Both fab. 1

The last play I saw was at my own fringe venue the Bridge House Theatre called Tony's Last Tapes. A wonderful one man play about Tony Benn, the Labour politician. It was a wonderfully true account of his life.2 [Bonus point for having your OWN STAGE]

How many showtunes do you have on your iPod and what is your favourite?

Honestly – none. Man, I'm useless… Rachel's so gonna win this… 0 [Yes, probably]

Hmmm maybe 4 or 5 soundtracks and musical theatre albums. Don't really listen to show tunes though. But a favourite would be Bab's version of "Being Alive"! 0

What is the stagiest picture you have in your phone?

Either a selfie of me in my wigs in order to email to my granny….or maybe umpteen pictures of a bouquet of flowers sent to me for opening night (from granny) again in order to send to Granny… or this. 0

It has to Lucy Briggs Owen – stagiest person I know!!! Okay and Sting I suppose! 1

Who is the stagiest contact you have in your phone?

Crikey. Based on previous two answers….I mean, I honestly think it could be a grandparent… 0

Stephen Sondheim? I jest! But Sting probably! 1

How many of the Strallen sisters can you name?

All of them. Thanks for asking… 0

All of them! :/ Summer. 0 [That’s only one of them…]

What is your favourite Shakespeare quote?

Who? No. This one I know; "I have wasted time and now doth time waste me." Or "we are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep". 1

"If music be the food of love play on." – Twelfth Night 1

Do you have any theatrical superstitions?

Never talk about your granny. 0

You'd be silly to say Macbeth in the theatre. But other than that I'm actually superstitious about being superstitious!! So nothing! 0

Who would be your ideal dinner date?

Gosh. Just anyone who enjoys a lot of sushi. I mean: a lot. And then a lot of ice cream. Again. I mean: a lot. 0

Honestly? My husband Guy and son Ben! But as this is a stagey Q&A then would have to have dinner with Allan Carr, he's too funny and I'm sure he'd have few stories to tell!!! 0

Tell us a stagey joke

Knock knock. Who's there? Lucy. Lucy who? That's showbiz…. 1 [We actually Lol’ed in the WOS office]

……..No! Got me! I know nothing! 0

What is your earliest theatrical memory?

Having an ice cream at half time of a panto at the Bristol old Vic as a little squirt – probably seven. Think it was strawberry. 0.5 [half time?]

Being taken to watch my sister rehearse as Dorothy in Wizard of Oz for Belfast Music Society aged 7. 1

And the winner is…

3.5/10

Lucy takes pride of place at the bottom of Stagey League Table, a position we think she was secretly aiming for. Several stagey cast recordings are making their way over to the Menier for Miss Owen-Briggs to get acquainted with.

6/10

Not a bad turn from Tucker but her joint 11th finish is disappointing for someone who actually owns her own theatre.