Hey everyone, I hope you're well. It feels like ages since I wrote to you
and it is. April has be a remarkable quiet month for me musical theatre wise as
I've only see one show...I know shock horror...however I haven't yet blogged
about it yet as I wanted to use it for musical of the month as well. Despite
the lack of theatre, though, April has been one hell of a month, what with
theatre and discovering a few home truths; and its the latter which has helped
me decide on this month's Musical of the Month.
Before I tell you exactly which musical I'm talking about let's put it in
context. I was having a bit of a bad time as I'd realised my life wasn't what
it seemed when on a drive over to Sheffield with my mum we had this musical's
album on and, well, the eleventh song spoke to me; it just seemed that it was
written for me to hear just then. I began to think why am I playing by the
rules of other people's games, why am I letting people bring me down, doesn't
everyone deserve to have a chance to fly? And most importantly at least if I'm
flying solo at least I'm flying free.
Well, if you haven't guessed it from that I'm surprised. Yes the song was
Defying Gravity and the musical was Wicked. Anyone who knows me will know that
before my Priscilla obsession I was a true Wicked girl (hence the Twitter name
@GreenGirlsRox) and it now seems like I'm reverting. Don't get me wrong I still
love Priscilla and will still be madly obsessive but I feel connected with
Wicked and especially so with Elphaba...in the sense that just because you care
and just because you fight for what's right it doesn't mean that you're going
to have a mass of friends...just a few that matter and that's ok (Holly and
Megan I'm talking about you).
After regaining this love of Wicked I was determined to go and see the show
when I went down to London for a hospital appointment on the 17th April. So
after finishing at the hospital my mum and I hotfooted it over to Victoria
(easier said than done as Victoria station had a power fault and, also, seems to
be covered in roadworks) and, yes, we managed to get seats. We specially
requested the Dress Circle as I believe the view from there is better as you
can see the whole stage including the dragon, which is positioned at the top of
the proscenium arch. The seats we got were restricted view but this was by a
barrier at the front of the Dress Circle (we were row C) and to say it was
barely restricted would be exaggerating...all in all they were perfect seats
for £30 less than full price due to the 'restriction'. I have to say I don't
think there are really any restricted seats at Wicked; it literally is the
perfect theatre!
And then we come to the performance...wow is all I can really say. I felt an
overwhelming sense of homecoming; sort of like the prodigal son returning home
and his father welcoming him with open arms like he'd never been away. I still
knew every line off by heart but still found it amusing. It really hit home
when Elphaba said, "Do you think I want to be this way? Do you think I
want to care this much?" when she's talking to Fiyero about caring about
others (her sister and the Animals)...sometimes, not all the time but
sometimes, you have to stop caring about what others think of you and put you
and your beliefs first...I think that message got through to me then. I, also,
cried throughout most of Defying Gravity (well I've cried every time I've seen
the show) as it just reaffirmed in me that it's time for me to stand up and be
like Elphaba...and no, not everyone will approve but I (as we all do) have a
voice and right to have my opinions heard.
Moving onto the cast we had three understudies: Michelle Pentecoste as
Elphaba instead of Louise Dearman; Marc McBride as Boq instead of Sam Lupton;
and Melissa Jacques as Madame Morrible instead of Louise Plowright. All of
these three excelled themselves and you couldn't tell that they were
understudies at all. Even though it can be slightly disappointing to find an
understudy on instead of the person who's supposed to be playing the role I do
find it rather exciting, especially if you've seen the show more than once, as
it can add a new and exciting spin on the show and constantly keeps you seeing
new things...maybe we could have an award for Best Understudy next year at the
Oliviers.
Moving on to the rest of the cast, we had Gina Beck as Glinda who was
breathtaking, especially with some of the famous Glinda high notes. Her
rendition of Popular was fabulous, as well...you can always tell a good Glinda
by how much she goes to town on Popular and, well, Gina was hilarious.
Next there was Ben Freeman as Fiyero. Now I've got pretty high standards for
Fiyero as the part used to be played by one of my favourite actors, Oliver
Tompsett. Well Ben was no Oliver but, as I've said in reviews of other shows,
why should he be? He was a good, solid Fiyero, rather good looking and was very
good at tossing his hair. What's more though is he seemed to suit Michelle's
Elphaba; they complimented each other very well and you could really feel the
bond between them.
The others were Keith Bartlett as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Christopher
Howell as Doctor Dillamond and Katie Rowley Jones as Nessarose, all of whom
were fabulous and really impressed me, especially Katie who was the perfect
Nessarose. Christopher's 'Baa's' during Something Bad were right on and Keith
was very classy and equally smarmy, just perfect for the Wizard.
As for everything else to do with the show, aka, lights, scenery and
costumes, they were elaborate, classy and right on cue; just the way a musical
should be.
Overall, I'm surprised how much I'd forgotten I loved Wicked; it truly is
the most wicked show that has ever been written with a lot of home truths and
messages about life, which it why it deserves the title of Musical of the
Month. I have to say that, although I will always be obsessed with Priscilla, I
have now realised that I always have and always will have an emerald heart.
I'll leave you with a few pictures of my trip :)
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The stunning stage complete with lights with witch hat lampshades!
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Me outside the theatre
Have any of you seen Wicked? If so what did you think and who did you see? I'd love to hear from you either by commenting below of tweeting me at @GreenGirlsRox.
Love you lots
Kat
...or should I say Elphaba
Xx
