RACHEL JOHN is starring in the upcoming live performances of Jason Robert Brown’s Songs For A New World at the London Palladium on 11 October 2020.
Rachel originally performed the role of Woman 1 in Lambert Jackson Productions’ virtual performance of Songs For A New World, broadcast during lockdown in association with The Other Palace.
Now she reprises her performance for two shows, joined by David Hunter, Cedric Neal, Rachel Tucker and Shem Omari James. The production is directed by Séimí Campbell.
Rachel John’s theatre credits include Hamilton (Victoria Palace Theatre), The Color Purple – In Concert (Cadogan Hall), The Bodyguard (Dominion Theatre/UK tour), Memphis (Shaftesbury Theatre), Rent (UK tour), We Will Rock You, Sister Act (London Palladium) and The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre/international tour).
Here Rachel continues Musical Theatre Review’s interview series: Five Questions With…
What a year it’s been in lockdown, how are you?
It has been a very challenging year, but I am doing well. I have been in lockdown with my Mum and we have been taking it one day at a time. I am so thankful for her love and support.
What are your fears and hopes for the performing arts and the theatre in particular?
My hopes for the industry as a whole are that during lockdown, new stories are birthed, new passions are ignited, we extend support to each other, uplift each other and that our industry continues to provide escapism. We will come through this difficult time together. We have to keep hope alive.
It must be so thrilling to bring the online production of Songs For A New World into the London Palladium for a live performance, and see your fellow artists. What have been the positives and challenges of the experience so far?
Bringing this production to the Palladium is so exciting. The challenges we face are the logistics of being together, albeit socially distanced and adjusting to the new way of working. As performers, we want to share stories with the audience and this is usually our sole aim and focus, but we are adjusting to doing this safely. The positives are being back in the same room with these performers, there is nothing quite like being together.
Could you tell us a bit more about the role Woman 1 plays in the show, and your thoughts on the material she sings?
I love the role of Woman 1. She navigates feelings of love, fear, faith, confidence, optimism and hope. I feel that we get to see her life span a few decades and the way that her thoughts and sentiments rise and fall. I love her songs and especially ‘Christmas Lullaby’. It is a privilege to sing Jason Robert Brown’s material.
Can we lighthearted and nostalgic for a moment? Could you pick a highlight from your career so far? Plus any plans beyond SFANW?
It is so hard to pick one highlight! If I had to pick one, then it would be the extra matinee that we did at Hamilton for young people. To both see and hear them engaging and interacting with the show reminded me of exactly why we tell stories and the impact and affect we can have on people’s minds and hearts. They were on the edge of their seats and were very vocal throughout! It was thrilling. This is the power of theatre, of what theatre can do, stir and engage people’s feelings.
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