The Magic of the Musical Spectacle Continues to Enchant Viewers
The West End musical spectacle, ‘Wicked’ still wields its spellbinding magic with theatre lovers around the world with its enthralling technical wizardry, colourful costumes and mind-captivating song renditions.
Now in its 10th year and already the 19th longest-running show in the history of West End theatre, the Wizard of
Oz-themed classic has mopped up 100 major awards, ramped up over seven-million viewers in London alone and has been watched by 50 million people in 14 countries.
‘Wicked,’ an adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel by Gregory Maguire which prodigiously recreated the plots and characters of Frank Baum’s ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, is the amazing story of an unlikely but deep friendship between students, Glinda and Elphaba.
The two young girls, who first meet as sorcery students at Shiz University are poles apart in their personality and social approval. Glinda is blonde and very popular, while Elphaba is a misunderstood green girl. Their magical and intriguing adventures in OZ will eventually see them taking opposite courses as ‘Glinda, the Good Witch’ and ‘Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West.’
As films and theatre lovers continue their mystic romance with werewolves, vampires and everything ‘Harry Porter’ and ‘Twilight;’ ‘Wicked’ provides another exhilarating voyage into the esoteric unknown. Oz prequel ‘Wicked,’ now making its sixth year at the Apollo Victoria continues to satisfy the voracious appetite of consumers in this massive theatre for the mysterious.
‘Wicked’ is a classic which oscillates between high and low around central characters. Its current cast is led by Rachel Tucker who stars as Elphaba, the green-skinned student who would go on to become the Wicked Witch of the West. The petite actress has delivered with a bang with her feisty performance and great vocal ability.
Other members of the current cast, announced on September 5, are Suzie Mathers who portrays Glinda, the Good Witch. David Savile plays Fiyero, Anita Dobson as Madame Morrible, Mark Curry is the Wizard, Martin Ball plays Doctor Dillamond, Katie Rowley plays Jones Nessarose, and Idriss Kargbo is Boq.
However, from January 30, 2017, Willemijn Verkaik will take over the role Elphaba. Sue Kelvin will act as Madame Morrible, while Sarah McNicholas will characterise Nessarose.
The enchanting musical phenomenon truly delivers on suspense and excitement for an audience. With the commanding performance of its lead actor, Rachel Tucker admirably takes on the role of the deep green-skinned college student who ultimately becomes the Wicked Witch of the West.
Gina Beck, who acts the good girl and Good Witch, Glinda, delivers an impressive performance too. She is intensely comical, playing the foolishness and simplicity of her character at every turn. But she occasionally provokes solemn emotions too and her final rendition of ‘For Good’ with Tucker really won hearts.
The cast assembled by Tim Burton, swings between magical illusion and the bizarre, and the charming but soprano-voiced Matt Willis captivates as the rather superfluous Prince. The women own the stage in ‘Wicked,’ just as in classical ballet and they are in imperious form here.