REVIEWS
Jackie Clarke is a whole variety act on her own. She is at home doing Mary Poppins and Whistle Down the Wind with the kids ensemble as she is belting out Don’t Rain On My Parade from Funny Girl or the comic characterisations of Nobody Does it better, from Seesaw. Her comic abilities were well to the fore in the letter songs from Tell Me On A Sunday, showing her superb talent right from the very first song, Lady is a Tramp.
Richard Mays – Broadway Bigger Than Ever review – Manawatu Standard 2006
Compered by the hilarious Jackie Clarke….. (who’s) energy was infectious throughout her performances.
Sarah Clarke – Xtreme Artwear Awards review – Gisborne herald 2006
We laughed. Oh how we laughed. Not polite theatre giggles but gut-gurgling, body quivering hysterics…..four kiwi co-stars – Tahei Simpson, Jackie Clarke, Michele A’Court and Rebecca Hobbs – were absolutely fabulous. The standing ovation was well deserved.
Kirsty Macnicol – Mum’s the Word review – Southland Times 2003
A new jazz and ragtime swing to Jan Bolton’s music is admirably carried through out by Jackie Clarke as singer/narrator. She obviously relishes her role and delivers some fantastic numbers while wearing a few more fantastic numbers herself.
Jennifer Shennan – The Hairy Maclary Hootenanny review – Dominion Post 2002
Clarke is a gem, an absolute natural on stage with her comic timing, asides and most of all, her outstanding voice. Someone to Watch Over Me showed her fluency as a balladeer, the Blues Medley her power and I Could Have Danced All Night her strength in a more operatic vein.
Patrick Shepherd – Christchurch Symphony – Fresh Sounds review – Christchurch Star 2000
There’s the slightly weird and wonderful Jackie with her astonishing bright brown eyes and chameleon smile sending out a barrage of conflicting signals; from sweet to cynical to petulant to plain wicked. All in about three seconds. And wearing a Madonna-style bustier.
Bernadette Rae – NZ Herald Sirens review – 1999
Jackie Clarke revels in the crucial role of the narrator, adding just enough eye rolling irony. Vocally she steals the show adding some much needed soul to the evening.
Nick Bollinger – Joseph and the Amazing technicolour Dreamcoat review – The Listener 1998
Jackie Clarke has ignored DW Griffith’s advice never to perform with children, and even surrounded by 50 children who would melt the heart of the most errant misanthrope, her star quality is not dimmed…. Her sweetness always tinged with a hint of acid, she is never saccharine and belts out a song with guts and heart when the occasion demands.
Susan Budd – Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat review – The Dominion 1998
A performer as versatile as the Jackal, Jackie Clarke can be damned proud of her performance on opening night. Her voice was energetic, clear and strong.
Jody Hopkinson – Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat review – Capital Times 1998
..and the inclusion of…Jackie was a casting coup. Her comic facial expressions were perfect for camp cabaret…(and) she stood out with some fine singing.”
Auckland City Harbour News – The World Goes ‘Round review – 1997
Clarke once again shows there’s more to her powers than Lotto ads with vocal chords impressive in range and power. But turn down the lights, turn up the romance, and she turns on a honeyed croon for all the lovers out there.
Megan Lane - Broadway Songbirds review – The Dominion 1997
…We do not have many stars here with the sheer size of personality that the grand dames of American musical theatre had, but this explosive evening of razzle-dazzle combines the talents of two of the greatest… Ellie Smith and Jackie Clarke… Jackie Clarke has a softer edge, a wider range of vocal colour and an equally brilliant comedic sense, is the ideal partner for Smith…. her performances of Sondheim’s The Millers Son and Gershwin’s The Man I Love were the highlights of the evening for me.
Tim Bridgewater – Broadway Songbirds review – The Evening Post 1997
