Wicked
is a magical, fantastical show with twists and turns that will have
you on the edge of your seat, close to tears, holding your breath
and squealing with joy and laughter; often at the same time!
Based
on the characters from L.Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’,
this story is that of an unlikely but profound friendship between two
sorcery students and their extraordinary, exciting roller-coaster of
adventures in Oz.
Immediately upon entering the theatre,
even before the curtain rises, the audience's attention is grabbed by
an intriguing, sparkly map featuring the Emerald City and a giant
mechanical dragon looming above-head, framed by an assortment of
peculiar clockwork components; and the scene is set for the
spellbinding show that awaits.
A couple of technical glitches and some
early sound issues on the night did not hinder nor detract from the
overall feeling of sheer wonder and amazement, where certainly by the
second or third scene, the audience had blissfully suspended any
'real-world' disbelief, and were indeed bewitched, and fully immersed
into everything mystical and OZ.
Each cast member sang and acted
superbly - demonstrating wide-ranging vocal ability that was not only
mostly pitch-perfect, but also pleasant on the ear in tone and
execution. They were all fantastic: from Ashleigh Gray as the kind
but mostly 'misunderstood' chracter of Elphaba (who becomes the
'Wicked Witch of the West'), her best-friend/ 'arch nemesis', 'in the
cool-clique' G(a)linda (Emily Tierney), and their charming
love-interest Fiyero (Samuel Edwards); to the strong character of
Elphaba's sister, Nessarose (Carina Gillespie) and cute, sweet
munchkin, Boq (Richard Vincent).
Not forgetting the 'Wonderful Wizard'
himself, and kindly animal-professor Doctor Dillamond played equally
brilliantly, and diversely, by Steven Pinder, and sorcery teacher
Madame Morrible (Marilyn Cutts).
Each lead-character portrayal was
believable and compelling, and the audience watched their entrancing
tales unfold with bated breath.
The joyous ensemble were a formidable
supporting cast and consummately played any character from scary
monkeys, to students and palace guards; to extravagant denizens of
the Emerald City, and other citizens of Oz.
The story, despite partly all-glittery,
light and fluffy, full of zing and zap; also covers relatable social
themes, and delves into the deeper, darker and 'bad' undercurrents of
Oz that run beneath the shallow, glossy exterior.
However, whether sparkly, glitzy,
lively dance routines or more sombre, subdued, or poignant moments of
dialogue, the audience's attention hung on every second of the
action, and the show displayed throughout that it is full of real
heart.
Each inch of a vast, fantastic,
complicated and multi-layered set was well-used by the actors, who
were dressed in sumptuous quirky costumes. Extra sorcery was created
with freaky, imposing animatronics and ethereal lighting and special
effects, and lots of extra on-stage surprises conjured even more
enjoyable mystique.
A magnificent music score and lyrics
created a lasting impression- whether in the well-known, if not
iconic, empowering Defying Gravity, to perhaps lesser-known but still
familiar numbers - Popular and The Wizard and I;- through to songs
that were possibly previously unknown outside of the perimeters of
the show, but became instant classics: - such as the very funny and
catchy,- rhythmic What is this Feeling, and the touching song that
probably every female can relate to- I'm Not That Girl.
This show is indulgent escapism; a
delightful mix of dark and emotive moments alongside endearing and
heartwarming scenes with plenty of rire-some, sweet parts
interspersed that will have the audience welling-up for both happy
and sad moments. Many congratulotions to
the whole production!
A
brilliant, captivating
Ozmapolitan show-
those lucky enough to watch Wicked will undoubtedly fall in love with
it and want to see it again and again.
