As mentioned on my blog yesterday I am having a week full of theatre so thought perhaps I ought to get blogging.
On Wednesday I went to see Wicked for the 8th time as I just happened to be in London after taking my mum to The Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio tour. I was slightly worried about whether it was going to live up to the last time I saw it as that was in Broadway, which was just spectacular.
My main reason for going was that it had been over a year...I know I can't believe it either...since I had last been to see this amazing show. And very pleasingly my worries had all been in vain. Although the stage at The Apollo Victoria is not as large as the one at The Gershwin the production was still amazing and reminded me why I loved this show so much. Needless to say, I spent a large proportion of the show in tears...don't ask me why something in in just gets to me.
My main reasons for loving this show is that it is the whole package. The lighting is spectacular, the sets are amazing, the storyline is so touching (see crying comment above) and speaks some great truths about the world today and the songs are just out of this world.
The other worry I had was that it was I knew the amazingly talented Oliver Tompsett was not playing Fiyero (he's now in Rock of Ages but is leaving soon :( boohoo). The part this time was being played by Matt Willis who was in Busted. I do believe that there is something wrong about celebrities starring in musicals, however I do see why shows put them in but the public should have more faith. Also, I acknowledge that some celebrities are fab in musicals, nevertheless, in this case the show did suffer. Matt's voice was technically perfect and his acting was great but he didn't have the depth and power to his voice that many of those who are pure musical theatre performers do.
As Elphaba I had Gemma Atkins who was the understudy. It seemed like it was her first time at the role as throughout the show she grew in confidence and by the end she was fabulous.
The rest of the cast were amazing, especially Keith Barlett as The Wizard, Gina Beck as Glinda and Lillie Flynn as Nessarose.
Finally, the seats were fabulous (other than the fact they squeaked a bit). They were on the front row of the dress circle and slightly to the right (stage left). Although they were officially labeled as 'restricted view' the view was superb with only a tiny bit of the stage missing. I would, also suggest that you should sit in the dress circle if you see Wicked as you can see the dragon which is positioned above the stage so can be missed from the stalls.
Overall, this wasn't the best performance of the show I'd seen but it was still spectacular and I highly recommend it. However, I will warn you that although it is set around The Wizard of Oz storyline it is nothing like it and completely flips the story on its head.
Have you seen Wicked? If so, how many times and what did you think?
Off to Rock of Ages and West End Bares now...will let you know how it goes.
Love you
Kat
Xx
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