Sing Hallelujah for Alexandra!
Mon 22 May 2017Alexandra Burke first came to public prominence in 2008 as the winner of the fifth series of ITV talent show The X-Factor. She was one of the show’s most successful winners, with her cover of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah becoming the European record holder for single sales over a period of 24 hours, selling 105,000 in one day. It also became the UK’s Christmas number one. Burke now says the show, “gave me my life.”
After several other hit singles, Burke took the decision to move into acting, telling a journalist at the time: “I’m still looking for the right thing – whether it be films, musicals, theatre – but it’s a part of my life I need to start taking more seriously.” The right thing turned out to be the lead role of Rachel Marron in the stage version of The Bodyguard, a role originally played on film by Whitney Houston. She played the part to much acclaim in the West End and on tour (although not at our theatre).
Now she’s taking on another much-loved role, that of Deloris Van Cartier, the singer sent to hide in convent after witnessing a mob murder. In the original film, the role was played by Whoopi Goldberg, but Burke gives a more glamorous take on the character. Although music played a part in the film, the stage version is a full-blown musical with a soul-inspired score, which The Telegraph described as: “tailor-made to suit Burke’s oaked, sinewy voice, which ripples and soars like a creature rising from the deep.” Burke certainly feels strongly about theses songs – after listing to them for the first time, she says: “I called the producer and said it would be a privilege to sing these songs.”
Burke’s interpretation of the role, and the show’s stunning staging (with choreography by Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood) has certainly won over the critics. The Telegraph concluded: “It won’t save your soul but it will make it feel great,” while the Daily Mail described it as a “heavenly hit”.
Sister Act: Monday 26 June to Saturday 1 July.