Wicked 14.04.16

Wicked

Location: Apollo Victoria

Date Seen: Thursday 14^th April

Seen With: 3 friends

Understudies at This Performance: Helen Woolf as Glinda

Summary

Wicked has a huge fan following worldwide. Recently, I was disappointed with the Broadway production feeling that it lacked a certain magic sparkle to it and with the actor playing Fiyero lacking any depth at all. I had been wanting to see the West End version again for some time especially with Oliver Saville in the role of Fiyero (I previously saw him cover Raoul in The Phantom Of The Opera). As I love seeing an understudy, I knew we’d get one when my friends booked the tickets as Savannah was on holiday but to get the second cover was a pleasant surprise which I’ll explore in my review.  

Acting

Each actor plays their character to a high standard and you can clearly identify the different personalities. Emma Hatton’s Elphaba is strong willed with a mischievous edge in contrast to Helen Woolf’s well poised and uptight Glinda. What is beautiful is seeing how each of them clearly changes throughout the performance to show Glinda’s loving side and Elphaba’s caring side. Oliver Saville’s Fiyero commands attention whilst clearly having a connection with Emma Hatton. The whole cast does a great job of transitioning from the naïve school days to fear trodden Oz.

Music & Songs

I can’t think of many people who couldn’t sing part of a Wicked song as the songs have become so well known. They have impact and the score is highly memorable. ‘Defining Gravity’ is probably the most well known song but there are songs such as ‘No Good Deed’ that really demonstrate the power of the orchestra and the vocals of the lead actors.

Choreography

The choreography of Wicked is cleverly put together making the most of the ensemble and space on the stage. The routine featured in the instrumental piece of ‘Dancing Through Life’ is one of my favourite routines with lifts and in sync couples dancing together.

Direction

Strong direction has meant that nothing has been left amiss in Wicked. Intimate scenes are tastefully displayed whilst oozing with passion and big group scenes have been directed to create a buzzing atmosphere without distracting from the key moments. 

Set/Lighting

The arch of the theatre provides much of the set for this show with its staircases and metalwork as well as the dragon suspended from the ceiling. Other pieces are brought onto stage such as benches, blackboards, podiums, Dorothy’s house etc to set up each scene. The lighting is used to great effect in this show to highlight when Elphaba is conjuring magic.

Costumes

Wicked’s costumes are some of my favourite in any musical. They are over the top and colourful throughout, filling the stage for visually spectacular group numbers. The leads’ costumes really are the triumph of this show and I’ve actually spent a lot of time away from the theatre researching them. Elphaba’s Act 2 Dress and Glinda’s Bubble Dress are the two stand outs with their layers, colours and craftsmanship. As an aside from this blog, I am currently attempting to make Glinda’s dress and it is spectacularly complex.

Stand Out Performances

Emma Hatton as Elphaba - She has such a voice on her and it really does blow you away. She plays Elphaba with so many dimensions that you really feel you can connect with her.

Helen Woolf as Glinda - Glinda is a tough role to fill but Helen did the role absolute justice. I believe the way she delivered Glinda’s journey from self centred child to a strong-headed woman. Her opening vocals gave me goose bumps!

Oliver Saville as Fiyero – the best Fiyero I’ve seen as he captured his charm, had real chemistry with Emma Hatton and has a great voice. I’d love to come and see this again with him opposite Savannah as well!

Mark Curry as The Wizard – this was by far my favourite representation of the wizard I’ve seen. He came across as a family man with a real sincerity throughout and I loved his vocal arrangement in his songs.

Show to Show Comparisons

I have to compare this to the Broadway version which left me feel cold. The West End version seemed to have some much more energy to it. I’m not sure whether the Apollo Victoria assists in this as the stage is smaller and you instantly feel a greater part of it in comparison to the Gershwin Theatre. The actors just seemed to be more together and the chemistry between actors was stronger and more believable. I’d like to see it again on Broadway to hopefully prove me wrong, but in my eyes the West End version reigns.

Would I Recommend?

Yes - It’s a timeless show about friendship and believing in yourself

Overall Verdict (Out of 5 Stars):

5 Stars