Apollo Victoria Theatre, London. Saturday 10th September, 2016.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wicked, based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, is fast approaching its tenth anniversary. In preparation, a brilliant anniversary cast has been selected, including the phenomenal Rachel Tucker as Elphaba and the hugely talented Suzie Mathers as Glinda. The pair have some of the best leading lady pipes going and as ‘Wicked’ is 100% West End glory, through and through, they’re perfectly placed to shine brightly.
Stephen Schwartz’s music and lyrics (along with the vocals which give them life) are very much the jewels in the crown of this show, with ‘Defying Gravity’ being an inspired selection for the closing of the first act. Tunes like ‘Popular’ are fun and playful while the vibrant and accosting contributions from the ensemble add great atmosphere at just the right moments.
The production is likewise a glowing example of West End grandeur. The set is all spectacle, with cogs and mechanical whirring visible throughout, we are openly invited to see the inner workings of Oz. The mechanical Wizard is surprisingly intimidating and the clever mechanics enabling the visual masterpiece in the breath-stealing ‘Defying Gravity’ is one of the most winning aspects of this production; it’s utterly West End in its drama and its ability to inspire total awe.
As for costumes, Glinda’s gowns are positively Disney and are therefore, I assume, coveted by every little girl in attendance. Elphaba’s final gown is famously intricate and beautiful- no simple little black dress there, for sure! Costumes worn by the ensemble (masters of quick-changing) are fabulous; those costumes make me want to begin a career as a member of the ‘Wicked’ ensemble… Bravo Susan Hilferty.
Elphaba. One of Musical Theatre’s greatest characters and who better to play her than the longest-running of the Elphabas, Rachel Tucker? Vocally, Tucker is an absolute show-stopper. ‘The Wizard and I’, ‘I’m Not That Girl’, ‘Defying Gravity’ and ‘No Good Deed’ are all in very safe hands with her, and what has come to be known as ‘The Tucker Growl’ amongst fans is now something that I wait with bated breath to hear… She’s a belter alright, and yet she still sweetly caresses the more tender numbers and is every bit as skilled and talented in making her breathless, restrained lines as gripping as her big, magnificent moments. Tucker’s Elphaba has the dead-pan comic moments completely under her spell, too, absolutely nailing the inexperienced green girl at her first party scene- that dancing…oh, that dancing…
Suzie Mathers is a fantastic Glinda too. Her Glinda is surprisingly gritty at times, which I like, and I’m very much appreciative of her amazing range as well as her tear-jerkingly beautiful harmonies with Tucker. Lauren James Ray is wonderful as Nessarose- very, very moving as the wheelchair using sister desperate for connection; her rendition of ‘We Deserve Each Other’ in particular is beautiful. Fiyero, played by Oliver Savile, also has some impressive pipes. He is also charismatic, funny and bravely sporting possibly the tightest Fiyero costume that the West End has ever seen. Oliver Savile makes a perfect Fiyero and I believed every bit of his torment as much as his cheek- ‘Wicked’ casting never fails, it seems.
And as far as ensembles go, Wicked‘s is top notch. They open the show with a gorgeous chorus of ominous claims, their voices are repeatedly called upon to adorn the narrative progress and they finish the show with such powerful force that the ribs of patrons in the stalls must vibrate with the sheer power of it. And let’s not forget their slick and stylish delivery of choreography from James Lynn Abbott.
My point is this: Wicked is a feast for the ears as well as the eyes; it’s utterly, totally, thoroughly, quintessentially West End in both style and substance. I can’t think of any other show which is more West End from every angle, in every category; hop on a bus, train, plane or broomstick and get yourself to the Apollo Victoria London…and try to get there before Ms. Tucker departs in January 2017!
You can get your tickets here: http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/london
Note: This review was originally posted on OnStageBlog.com.
Always Time For Theatre 
I saw Wicked four times and the first time I saw it on Broadway. It seems that each time I see Wicked, my vulnerability level increases. Elphaba is my favorite musical character because I relate to her so well, but not everything. The fourth time I saw Wicked, I had an understudy as Elphaba and she was incredible as Elphaba. Even Glinda was perfect. The Glinda and Elphaba had be tear up during “For Good” and I am not sure for that was the first time I had that reaction or not. The Elphaba I saw made me get something out of “No Good Deed”, a song I always disliked, which means that song would loss its emotions somehow. Wicked was the musical which sparked my love for musicals growing up and was the musical where I began to understand the complex and emotional side of musicals
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I can’t believe I’ve only just seen this! I lost the comments notifications at some point and couldn’t find it again! I love hearing about how much Wicked means to people – it’s such a special show 🙂
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It is quite special how it has changed so many lives. Wicked really means a lot to me. Elphaba is my favorite musical character since I see a lot of myself in her.
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