It had been my dream to visit London since the tiny age of just seven. This week I was lucky enough to travel down to London (first time on a plane too, I must add!) for a three-day trip. Not only was this alone a great experience, but we were also timetabled to see a show on the second night.
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Advantages: cast, soundtrack, atmosphere Disadvantages: prices, only London
It had been my dream to visit London since the tiny age of just seven. This week I was lucky enough to travel down to London (first time on a plane too, I must add!) for a three-day trip. Not only was this alone a great experience, but we were also timetabled to see a show on the second night.
At first, we were given the choice of either The Lion King, or Wicked. Personally, I would have preferred to see the Lion King, but as everybody ... ...am honest though, I was most looking forward to it. I hadn't a clue what Wicked was about, until I searched online. Even then though, did I just understand that it was connected to the story of the Wizard of Oz, and no more. I hoped it would be a thrill.
I'd never been to see a West End show before, so when we all nessled in our seats of the packed Apollo Theatre, everything looked so amazing and spectacular. The rows upon rows of ... more
It had been my dream to visit London since the tiny age of just seven. This week I was lucky enough to travel down to London (first time on a plane too, I must add!) for a three-day trip. Not only was this alone a great experience, but we were also timetabled to see a show on the second night.
At first, we were given the choice of either The Lion King, or Wicked. Personally, I would have preferred to see the Lion King, but as everybody else opted for the other, Wicked it was! If I am honest though, I was most looking forward to it. I hadn't a clue what Wicked was about, until I searched online. Even then though, did I just understand that it was connected to the story of the Wizard of Oz, and no more. I hoped it would be a thrill.
I'd never been to see a West End show before, so when we all nessled in our seats of the packed Apollo Theatre, everything looked so amazing and spectacular. The rows upon rows of seats were full of excited people eager for the show to begin. When it was time for it to start, the first thing that happened was actually quite terrifying - a great way to draw peoples' attention in right from the start! The large mechanical dragon roared, and as this echoed around the room, the dancers began to move around in a cloud of smoke. Yes, I was hooked already!
As the production progressed, I quickly learned a lot about the plot. It was the story of Elphaba (Elphie), who's skin was an all-over shade of green. She attends a school in Oz, and this school specialises in sorcery and magic. Of course, Elphie is no ordinary girl; she has a special power inside of her, one she refers to as being the 'curse'. Elphie has a dream of meeting the Wizard of Oz, and hopes she and he will become a great team, best of friends, and that he will rid her of her greeniness which has caused her grief from bullying all her life. One of the main bullies at her school is Galinda (or Glinda), missy prissy popular who wants her own way at all times. But will the two girls be enemies for life, and will Elphie get to meet her wizard the way she planned?
The cast of Wicked, truly is remarkable. Such a large proportion of the team gave a memorable performance, it was unreal! Elphie is played by Alexia Khadime. Her voice has truly got to be the most amazing vocal machine in the world - such power and strength, and never a note wrong! Her acting skills are just as wonderful, diction clear and choreography precise. Khadime also plays Nala in The Lion King production, but has also done some Television work, such as The Bill and Grange Hill.
Glinda was acted fantastically by Dianne Pilkington, She has a much softer voice than Khadime, but not weak in the slightest. She suited her character, and most certainly developed her in such a phenomenal way throughout the production. Pilkington has appeared in other musicals such as Cats and Beauty and the Beast, but has also had a few television roles too. Wicked has such a memorable cast, each character rich in depth and power!
Of course, not only does Wicked have acting, but music too (after all, it is a Musical!). In my opinion, it seems to have one of the greatest soundtracks of all time. Throughout the production, we heard many amazing songs and pieces I simply cannot get out of my head! These include songs such as the Wizard and I (sung my Khadime), and Popular (Pilkington). This obviously could not have been carried out without the fantastic band though. And even though I could not see them from my seat, it is clear to say that they were working exceptionally hard!
At the end of the performance, all the cast came out to take their bows. I have never before seen an audience erupt in great applause before! The atmosphere was outstanding; the cheering, the whistling, the clapping! Though was I surprised? No, of course not! Every single applauding viewer truly meant it; I just wish I could personally thank each part of the production team individually!
During the breaks and at the end of the show, you have the opportunity to purchase refreshments and souvineers. Though no lies here; they are extortionate! I was nearly £3 for a bottle of J2O, and a friend was £4 for a plastic tub of malteasers! Souviners were quite pricey too, with £30 for a hooded top and £16 for a CD of the original cast. Though I was only £6 for a program, which I was quite impressed with!
If you feel you wish to see Wicked, which I highly do recommend, then you can do so by visiting the Appolo Victoria Theatre in London from Monday-Saturday to see one of the 8 weekly performances! Ticket prices vary from £15 to £60, and further information can be found below on buying tickets and location.
I know if I had not been on that trip, I would not have got to experience such a phenomenal production. Though if you are able to enjoy the wonders of Wicked, then do not let the opportunity pass!
Advantages: beautifully set, sung and danced Disadvantages: very long and not the happiest of story lines and heavy score
...for children. I was in New York when it first premiered on Broadway and I was given a CD with a couple of songs from the musical in a promotion while in New York (at a McDonald's on Times Square of all places). I was never too keen on actually seeing the show, in particular when thinking about the prices charged to go to the theatre in London (or New York). The music and lyrics were written by Stephen Schwartz who is not new to the musical scene ... ...Disney movies he has co-written with Alan Menken. I downloaded the original Broadway soundtrack with Idina Menzel playing Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth (who has a very distinct speaking voice) as Galinda in the main roles and was listening to the songs long before the show opened on stage in London. I was familiar with the songs of the show before I went to the theatre. Musically the show borders a little on the heavy side. There are very few upbeat ...
Tempus_Fugit 16.03.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of New Musical Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre
Advantages: A brilliant show and a total spectacle Disadvantages: Maybe the price??
As a long-time lover of The Wizard of Oz and also fairly recently introduced to the work of musical theatre 'IT' girl, Idina Menzel, I was naturally eager to see Wicked when I heard it was coming to London. I can categorically state the I was not disappointed in my decision - so much so that after going to see it at the beginning of October, I am now booked to see it again next month. I wouldn't normally be quite this frivolous, but given that Idina ... ...I didn't feel I had much of a choice!
Wicked is based on the book 'Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West' by Gregory Maguire. Written in 1990, it tells the story of the aforementioned Wicked Witch when she was a child, and just how she became the evil character we all know from L. Frank Baum's novel. The basic theme of the book and show then is that no-one is born wicked, but that circumstances thrust wickedness upon them and ...
staceyvm 27.10.2006 (29.11.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of New Musical Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre
Advantages: Wonderful sets, beautiful songs, excellent cast Disadvantages: sometimes a bit scary for small kids
Magically Wicked......
Ever seen or read "The (wonderful) Wizard of Oz"? Ever wanted to know why the Wicked Witch is green and wicked? Ever wondered why the Tin Man is the way he is? What the secret of the ruby shoes is? Go and buy tickets for "WICKED - The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz"…... and spend an unforgettable evening.
~~~~~~~~~~ THE VENUE ~~~~~~~~~~
The stunning art-deco "Apollo Victoria Theatre" is the perfect gateway to Emerald ... ...stone's throw away from Victoria station and easy to reach via tube, train and bus. In preparation for the smash hit "Wicked" a lot of restoration work has taken place, and the "Apollo Victoria" is getting back to it's old glory. It's a magnificent theatre with a capacity of more than 2300 seats.
~~~~~~~~~~ A SHORT HISTORY OF "WICKED" ~~~~~~~~~~
Gregory Maguire, author of the 1995 novel "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West", ...
magicronny 01.10.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of New Musical Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre
Advantages: almost everything, a great musical Disadvantages: a little scary in parts, ,crowded theatre entrance
I went to see Wicked only yesterday at the apollo victoria theatre, Something I had been looking forward to for ages. I was very very impressed.
THE THEATRE
Wicked is showing at the apollo victoria theatre, which is a very nice theatre indeed. As you walk in it is very fitting for the show, there is not really much there, but there is a bar and a few shops. The entrance, however, is quite crowded and me being autistic, this did freak me out a little ... ...got into the theatre itself the seats were larg and comfortable and there were so many seats it was untrue. We were in the front row of the dres circle, and the view was realy really good. As far as a theatre goes, the legroom of the seats was really really good, I often have trouble with the seating everywhere as although I am only 1m77cm tall, I have very long legs, but these really were fine for me. The stage was very good and all the props you ...
DC-DanielColeflax 30.12.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of New Musical Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre
Advantages: Fantastic actors, actresses, costumes, stage and special effects Disadvantages: Expensive for alcoholic drinks
On November 3rd 2007 I travelled from Cumbria to London with a friend to watch the Wicked musical at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, I was blown away by the amazing actors, actresses, costumes, stage and special effects.
The musical is based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch, and tells the untold story of the wicked witch before Dorothy arrived in OZ. After weeks of contemplating I decided to watch the musical ... ...Victoria Theatre is easily assessable from the Tube as the Theatre is opposite the Victoria Tube Station. There are numerous restaurants in the area and shops. If you are attending the evening performance and decide to go for a meal before the show I would recommend booking a table in advance as there could be up to a 40 minute wait, and you don't want to miss the beginning of this show.
I paid around £35 for the centre of the upper circle (Row ...
bagpuss1980 15.11.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of New Musical Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre
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