“...Nicola has star quality. She is an
excellent singer with a strong, well-modulated voice,
easy swing and a charming and natural stage presence.”
Jack Massarik
“...Nicola Emmanuelle is the real deal. A charismatic,
charming performer with a richly expressive, show-stopper
of a voice, she’s a real throwback to the days of swing...”
Time Out
“...the remarkable power of Nicolas voice finds a way of
projecting these great melody lines with a laser like intensity.”
Jazzwise
“...the remarkable power of Nicolas voice finds a way of
projecting these great melody lines with a laser like intensity.”
Jasswise
The stage 15/1/18
https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2018/rat-pack-live-las-vegas-review-haymarket-theatre-london-ella-
fitzgerald/
Emmanuelle’s Ella appears just as the boys’ club antics are getting a little too laboured and self-
congratulatory. Her late entrance is like a breath of fresh air. Like Phillips, Emmanuelle gives a remarkable
vocal impersonation and their duet on Lady is a Tramp is a highlight of the show. Though Emmanuelle is
underused, her presence re-energises a formula that is beginning to look a little tired
The Reviews hub 13/1/18
http://www.thereviewshub.com/the-rat-pack-live-from-las-vegas-ella-fitzgerald-edition-theatre-royal-
haymarket-london/
Nicola Emmanuelle is a wonderful Ella Fitzgerald, vocally nailing Night and Day and injecting a much-
needed female presence into the second half – which otherwise is full of very enjoyable but testosterone-
heavy repartee between the men. Lady is a Tramp, superbly sung by Emmanuelle and Phillips, is one of the
stand-out numbers. Her duet with Hayes on S’Wonderful is a reproduction of the performance Fitzgerald and
Davis Jr gave on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964. Again, Emmanuelle is vocally strong
ActDropUk - 15/1/18
https://actdrop.uk/reviews/review_listing?id=4957
But an extra character joins The Rat Pack trio of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr in a
celebration of the legendary voice of Ella Fitzgerald, known around the showbiz world as 'The First Lady of
Song' (or, alternatively, Queen of Jazz, or Lady Ella).
Nicola Emmanuelle confidently assumes the formidable mantle and impresses enormously with her
lusciously distinctive vocals.
The celebration of Ms Fitzgerald pertains to the 100th anniversary of her birth in 1917 (she died in 1996).
Somewhat disappointingly, though, we have to wait until the second half of the show before Ms
Emmanuelle hits the stage, and we don't get nearly enough of this wonderfully melodic singer whose voice
does indeed portray the jazz legend's unique singing style to astonishing effect.
To be strictly fair, her role is really designed as a feature of the show rather than a major part of it, but Ms
Emmanuelle's evocative performance certainly leaves one hungering for more, especially if you're an ardent
Fitzgerald fan as many in the audience seemed to be.
Broadway world - 13/1/18
https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/BWW-Review-THE-RAT-PACK-LIVE-FROM-LAS-VEGAS-
Theatre-Royal-Haymarket-20180113
2017 marked the centenary of the birth of Ella Fitzgerald. This fact is the rather tenuous connection to
including a few songs featuring Nicola Emmanuel as the woman herself on stage. Emmanuel is a welcome
addition to the show, with some cracking duets with Phillips such as the ever-cheerful 'S'Wonderful'. Her
voice has a sultry jazz tone and shows a great balance of power and control. She doesn't sound exactly like
Fitzgerald, but she sounds so good it is hard to mind.
Daily Express - 21/1/8
On this occasion, they are joined by “the first lady of jazz”, Ella Fitzgerald (the serene and mellifluous Nicola
Emmanuelle).
Musical Theatre - 15/1/18
http://musicaltheatrereview.com/the-rat-pack-live-from-las-vegas-theatre-royal-haymarket-2/
The best part of the show, by far, however, was Nicola Emmanuelle as Ella Fitzgerald.
Her re-creation of the first lady of jazz was flawless: she looked like her and, crucially, sounded like her. That
immaculate bell-like tone and unmistakable fast vibrato was there, and her scat singing was a thing of
wonder. Her duet with Phillips on ‘The Lady is a Tramp’ was blissful – you could close your eyes and the pair
were right there in front of you.
Carntheatrepassion.com - January 2018
https://www.carnstheatrepassion.com/review-the-rat-pack-live-from-las-vegas/
The addition to the show of Ella Fitzgerald played by Nicola Emmanuel was a real treat for the ears. Her
smooth voice and classy elegance gave the evening an extra appreciation of the golden era of song.
The spy in the stalls.com - 13/1/18
http://thespyinthestalls.com/tag/nicola-emmanuelle/
Ella Fitzgerald, played by the wonderful Nicola Emmanuelleis a treat. Her voice is electrifying, and her
power is more than equal to that of the ‘lads,’ all of whom treat her like a queen. The final number brings the
whole cast together, and also brought the audience to its feet.
Love London Love Culture - 13/1/18
https://lovelondonloveculture.com/2018/01/13/review-the-rat-pack-live-from-las-vegas-theatre-royal-
haymarket/
But the show is also a celebration of Ella Fitzgerald and showcases this well in the second act with
wonderful duets of ‘The Lady is A Tramp’ and ‘S’Wonderful’ for example, performed with great sophistication
by Nicola Emmanuelle as Ella Fitzgerald and Garrett Phillips as Frank Sinatra. Emmanuelle has great warmth
and depth to her vocals, hitting each note perfectly, while Phillips evokes the cool and sophisticated nature
of Sinatra with ease.
North West End - 20/2/18
http://northwestend.co.uk/index.php/professional-reviews/manchester/2806-the-rat-pack-live-from-las-
vegas-opera-house-manchester
Nicola Emmanuelle as Ella Fitzgerald was divine. The voice, the costume, the stage presence. She was
wonderful. She came out just in time as the trio needed a bit of a pick me up.
The Arts Shelf - 24/2/18
http://www.theartsshelf.com/2018/02/21/latest-review-the-rat-pack-live-from-las-vegas-opera-house-
manchester-uk-tour/
Though underused, a commanding Nicola Emmanuelle brings an extra level of quality to the production as
Ella Fitzgerald, effectively mimicking Fitzgerald’s intonation and injecting a fresh new twist to the second
act with strong renditions of Night and Day and The Lady Is A Tramp (a duet with Phillips).
West End WIlma - 15/1/18
http://www.westendwilma.com/review-the-rat-pack-live-from-las-vegas-theatre-royal-haymarket/
Nicola Emmanuelle as Ella Fitzgerald adds an undeniable prestige to this updated show; her inclusion gives
the performance that real ‘special guest’ excitement about it, and it’s great to have a star-spangled female
leading the vocals alongside the Rat Pack. Emmanuel is nothing short of gorgeous, with flawless range and
a pleasing stage presence. She brings a much-needed air of elegance and sensibility to a very macho, male-
led show, adding another dimension to the overall performance.
The Sussex Newspaper - Eastbourne show - 7/3/18
http://www.thesussexnewspaper.com/review-the-rat-pack-live-from-las-vegas-eastbourne/
Nicola Emmanuelle as Ella Fitzgerald adds an extra treat to this updated show. Her appearance dilutes the
male-dominated show and gives the second half of the performance a palpable sense of excitement. Having
a female leading the vocals alongside the Rat Pack also leads to a number of superb duet opportunities
including Night and Day, The Lady is a Tramp and S’Wonderful. Emmanuelle has a very impressive range and
brings an air of elegance and sophistication to the overall performance.
The Southside Advertiser - Edinburgh - 27/2/18
http://www.southsideadvertiser.biz/The-Rat-Pack-Live-From-%20Las-Vegas-Playhouse-Edinburgh-2018.htm
Stealing a large part of this show for me though is a wonderful performance by Nicola Emmanuel as Ella
Fitzgerald with great vocals on every song and a very tight duet with “Frank” on “The Lady Is A Tramp”.
The Arts Shelf - Manchester - 21/2/18
http://www.theartsshelf.com/2018/02/21/latest-review-the-rat-pack-live-from-las-vegas-opera-house-
manchester-uk-tour/
Though underused, a commanding Nicola Emmanuelle brings an extra level of quality to the production as
Ella Fitzgerald, effectively mimicking Fitzgerald’s intonation and injecting a fresh new twist to the second
act with strong renditions of Night and Day and The Lady Is A Tramp (a duet with Phillips).
Whats good to do - Liverpool - 13/2/18
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox?compose=162251ab37361886
The second half did not disappoint either. There was more humour, display of drunkenness, antics and one-
liners than the first act but the songs were equally as delightful – ‘Volare’, ‘The lady is a tramp’ (joined now
by an effervescent Ella Fitzgerald) ‘My kinda town’, ‘What kind of fool am I’, ’S’Wonderful’ and Mack the knife’.
The finale of ‘That’s life’ had the audience singing along joyfully. Sinatra ended the show with a magnificent
version of ‘My Way’ – the theatre was in raptures.
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