Musical of the Month - Painting the World...Emerald!!!

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 :)

 

 The stunning stage complete with lights with witch hat lampshades!

 



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