Wicked

This musical is beautifully set, created by Eugene Lee, from the huge dragon puppet to the ticket mechanical clock that surrounds the stage. With swift scene changes that go unnoticed throughout. Its a brilliant take, and yet simplistic all the same. Allowing the audience to focus on the story, that so many of us have grown to love. But this gives Susan Hilferty's costume a chance to shine also, as they are clothes that you cannot ignore them! From the students prom, to the Emerald City, each is given character, sass, and décor like no other! I especially love Elphaba's black number in Act 2, is beautiful, with so much detail! Wicked is defiantly a show you can continue going back and seeing - having seen it 3 times now myself! To travel back to Oz is an fabulous trip, making it unforgettable. One thing I will mention that was a disappointment was the audience etiquette, this was by far the worse audience I have been in! with getting up in their seats to go to the toilet, and many taking photos through the show, which led to the stewards having to run around to stop them -causing much of a distraction during the show. But I understand why they do it, respecting that they do! However, at one point someone Heckled Elphaba, while she danced on her own during One Short Day! It was so unacceptable - the only musical you can participate is Rocky Horror! I was happy to hear those around her tell her to shut up!  Its so sad to see that this is now a common thing in theatre today. http://www.rosereview.co.uk/?p=1332

It was my second time seeing Wicked on West End, so I knew what to expect and what wonderful plot twists there are. Therefore this time I focused on the details of the show - the staging and costumes are brilliant, possibly the best on West End. Glinda's bubble dress and costumes of the Emerald City citizens are simply out of this world! As for the performers, I was quite disappointed that Alice Fearn was on holidays as she is my number 1 Elphaba, however standby Laura Pick did amazing job and even though she was a bit too close to the score, her versions of No Good Deed and As Long As You're Mine (duet with Fiyero) were heartbreaking. Laura has a clear, strong as a bell voice and I think we can expect great things of her in a near future, so much potential in this young girl! Nevertheless, it was Sophie Evans (Glinda) who stole my heart. She was not acting - she WAS Glinda. She hit all the high notes effortessly, had a brilliant comic timing and was absolutely mesmerising. Easily one of the best Glindas since legendary Kristin Chenoweth. Bradley Jaden was good as Fiyero, however nowhere near Oliver Saville's version sadly. Still, he had a great chemistry with Laura and the romance between them two was believable. 5 stars from me, I cannot wait to see it again!

The night we saw it was holiday week for the main Glinda, as a result, it took a while for the understudy to warm up to what is a difficult role in terms of performance and vocals. I had seen an am-dram production and times the vocal/orchestra war felt very similar with actors struggling to be heard over the rich orchestra and understandably reluctant to strain any voices. The 2hrs 45m flies by and snobbery/reluctance I had about seeing the show soon passed. The first half is your standard American college drama with some nice fantasy elements and the second half relies on everyone having seen The Wizard of Oz. Songs wise it is mostly forgettable apart from Defying Gravity, Alice Fearns more than meets the expectation Idina Menzel set over 10 years ago. Fearns also makes Elphaba seem warm, offset with her rich and firm speaking voice. My friend described being aimed at tweens, it is very vanilla and hint of suggestion (such as Elpheba's paternity) is not treated explicitly, despite its late finish, this will truly be a treat for any girl (or boy) who can relate to Elphaba or Glinda. I would see this again but I am not in a rush to see it again soon. The story is great but there aren't some deep layers to keep me coming back and as cracking as tunes like Defying Gravity and What Is This Feeling (Loathing) are, it is when Elphaba and Glinda aren't dueting, sparring or being great mates the energy and general audience interest falls.

Apart from watching the song "Defying Gravity" performed a couple of times on the hit TV series Glee, I knew nothing of this show or the fact that it was where this song came from. So when I came to watch this show live and in person it amazed me as to how emotionally involved I became with the characters in the first half. What an amazing story and as you would expect for a West End production an incredible cast who are all worthy of their role. Stand outs for me personally were Anita Dobson (Angie from Eastenders) & Rachel Tucker (unknown to me but went for the role of Nancy in BBC's "I'd Do Anything") she received a standing ovation at the end led by myself. You know when you've been sitting in a theatre for a while and you're waiting for the interval or the end to come? You know. You've been there before. NOT HERE! From start to finish this is just an epic stage production. If your thinking of going to see it. Do it. You will not regret it.

I love this show. It was the first musical I ever saw on the West End, and this trip marked my 4th time seeing it. Over the years I have seen 3 different casts (all of which have been great). I think Wicked is a great introduction to the West End if you haven't been before. It has great sets, phenomenal songs and a really strong story. At this performance, I saw Emma Hatton play Elphaba. I have to say, I have followed her 'journey' as Elphaba since she was a cover, and at first I didn't really rate her, but she has completely come into her own. Her performance of 'No Good Deed' was one of my favourites, and she has such a unique tone to her voice. She was great. Carina Gillespie was playing Galinda - she is the cover for this role. I really liked her voice, but overall she didn't blow me away in the role. I don't have anything bad to say about the show at all, I love all the amendments they've made to the show since I last saw it (5 years ago). I would (and have) recommended it to everyone. Definitely one of my favourites.

One of my favourite shows in the West End. I've been a huge fan of this show since it first opened on Broadway so for it to come to London was such a relief for me. I have seen nearly every cast this show has offered and I have enjoyed seeing how each one makes the story its own. The themes of friendship and acceptance are so universal so I think in that respect the show is for all, but it is quirky and I think that is what divides people. The sets are exquisite and truly make Oz come to life. The costumes and props and choreography are amazing and so detailed. The songs are catchy and big and bold when you need them, with softer more understated songs at the right times in the show! I'm biased because I love this show but I do think people should give it a go!

The energy throughout was good and you can't argue that it is a spectacle. The set is out of this world and love the way they have run the green theme throughout the theatre. With the performance, generally speaking the leads and ensemble did a good job, although it was difficult to make out some of the words in the big songs. The acting was good (especially like the Wizard) and costumes incredible. I liked the concept of the story (ie. seeing the iconic Wizard of Oz story from a different angle) but felt it was slow and weak in places. It felt that the story hung around a lot of big dance numbers around when I would have liked to have seen more depth and substance to the plot. I knew some of the big numbers in the show before watching it but other than 'One short day' I didn't get that tingly feeling when I heard them ring out from the stage. Overall an enjoyable night out. I can say that I have seen Wicked, but will probably just be a 'tick in the box' show for me rather than one I rush back to see again.

One of my favourite shows in the West End. I've been a huge fan of this show since it first opened on Broadway so for it to come to London was such a relief for me. I have seen nearly every cast this show has offered and I have enjoyed seeing how each one makes the story its own. The themes of friendship and acceptance are so universal so I think in that respect the show is for all, but it is quirky and I think that is what divides people. The sets are exquisite and truly make Oz come to life. The costumes and props and choreography are amazing and so detailed. The songs are catchy and big and bold when you need them, with softer more understated songs at the right times in the show! I'm biased because I love this show but I do think people should give it a go!

First time seeing Wicked; the show was absolutely beautiful and everything I imagined it to be. Glinda (Suzie Mathers) played the role perfectly, I couldn't fault her adaptation of the character and she will forever be my favourite Glinda. Elphaba (Willemijn Verkaik) was also exceptional, the best vocal performance from an Elphaba I've seen; I did find her acting stiff at times but I am sure this is not usually the case and could just have been an off night (in which case, I have even more respect for her as it was still unbelievable). Apart from the leads, I found that I couldn't take my eyes off the ensemble, and the Wizard (Mark Curry) completely stole the show for me with his larger than life personality. The set design is unlike any I've ever seen, and adds to the magic you are witnessing on stage. My favourite part of the whole show would have to be when the witches enter the emerald city; the Ozian's COSTUMES are a delicious mix of fashionable and comical. A lighthearted and endearing show, I would advise everyone to indulge in a bit of Wicked at least once in their lives.