The novel-based musical in London’s Apollo theatre has caused major hype since it began to run in 2006 – and rightfully so. Stephen Schwartz’s musical adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s novel provides a powerful and entertaining show. Just walking into the theatre, which illuminates the whole of Wilton Road with a green glow, you’re surrounded by an excited and – as cheesy as it sounds – magical atmosphere.
The musical provides an alternative viewpoint to the famous story The Wizard of Oz. It tells the story of Elphaba, the wicked witch of the west, who is currently played by Rachel Tucker. The audience is shown a different side to the evil witch that is portrayed in the story of The Wizard of Oz and how she came to be wicked.
The story also shows Elphaba’s relationship with Glinda, the good witch of the north, played by Louise Dearman. Dearman wonderfully acts the difficult part, in which the most widely known and somewhat ‘perfect’ good witch of the north, with a comic portrayal of the actually less-than-perfect Glinda.
Though the musical would assumedly be quite suitable for children, the plot shows corruption in government in Oz and is darker and more complex than the storyline of the much loved film adaptation of the Wizard of Oz.
The plot is both entertaining and is able to reach out to a broad spectrum of any potential audience – even the males who had been dragged a long to the performance kicking and screaming, such as my brother, shut off their iPhones which they had intended to watch the football on and gave the show their full concentration after the first five minutes.
Though the musical would assumedly be quite suitable for children, the plot shows corruption in government in Oz and is darker and more complex than the storyline of the much loved film adaptation of the Wizard of Oz.
The plot is both entertaining and is able to reach out to a broad spectrum of any potential audience – even the males who had been dragged a long to the performance kicking and screaming, such as my brother, shut off their iPhones which they had intended to watch the football on and gave the show their full concentration after the first five minutes.
The amazing vocals of all the cast eradicate any annoyance you may have had over the ridiculously priced ice-cream and drinks you purchased in the interval. Rachel Tucker’s spectacular performance in the iconic song ‘Defying Gravity’ was in particular, awe inspiring.
If the show, which has recently been voted ‘The Best Long-running West End Show’, instantly turns you into another of the many die-hard fans then you will be pleased to know that you’ll be instantaneously greeted by a large number of different merchandise upon leaving the theatre.
Wicked is most definitely three hours and thirty-five pounds well spent. The entire audience leaves in a heightened mood and go on to annoy passers-by on the journey home by singing the catchy songs within the show.
If the show, which has recently been voted ‘The Best Long-running West End Show’, instantly turns you into another of the many die-hard fans then you will be pleased to know that you’ll be instantaneously greeted by a large number of different merchandise upon leaving the theatre.
Wicked is most definitely three hours and thirty-five pounds well spent. The entire audience leaves in a heightened mood and go on to annoy passers-by on the journey home by singing the catchy songs within the show.
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