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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2016 10:43:58 GMT
It is completely different interpretation. For me, Rachel Tucker is the best Elphaba not just in Britain, but of what I have heard on recordings, in the world. In terms of the West End however, I have seen Rachel Tucker, Nikki Davis-Jones, Louise Dearman, Hayley Gallivan, Willimijn Verkaik, Emma Hatton, Kerry Ellis and Jennifer DiNoia. For me, Nikki was the worst, by a landslide. And I truly don't get why everyone loves her, though I know people do and rightly so, everyone can have their favourites. I personally felt slightly underwhelmed by Rachel's Elphaba, as did all of my family who had previously seen Kerry in the role (during her first run). I've now seen Julia Murney, Kerry twice, Nikki Davis - Jones, Ashleigh Gray, Willimijn Verkaik and Emma Hatton. I enjoyed all of their performances in their own little ways but I wouldn't say Rachel re-defined the role of stood out as amazing for me personally. The only one of those who did for me would be Willimijn and Julia (but Julia was my first when I was 16 and in NYC for the first time so it could have been a dying Cat up there and I'd have still be ridiculously enthusiastic) but each to their own I guess!
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Post by danb on May 8, 2016 11:12:54 GMT
...and lest we forget, you don't get the same performance every visit, nor are you in the same headspace. The first time we saw Kerry Ellis she was great opposite an understudying Oli Thompsett. The subsequent times not so much, and during her second London stint she sleep-walked through it. Idina; great, Louise Dearman was I thought terribly miscast as Elphaba (but I was tired & dreading the journey home) Nikki on tour was 'alright' but didn't make me want to go again (we got stuck in terrible traffic on the way) whereas Ashley Grey was quite special (Twenty five minutes from home).
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2016 11:34:38 GMT
But I really want to see Rachel Tucker. Just for a few months, and then a new Elphaba can take over Then head over to Broadway. That's what I did, and I found myself somewhat underwhelmed after seeing her again. Oh; believe me. I would have headed over to Broadway if I had the money Unfortunately, being a student, going to London is all I can afford for now
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2016 11:39:23 GMT
I enjoyed Rachel's Elphaba and everything, but I genuinely don't understand everyone's desire to bring her back. Yes, she's the longest-running British Elphaba, but I don't see how she has "made" or defined the role or the show, in the same way that Idina and Kristen did when it first opened. With all due respect, I think the people to whom Rachel is #1 Elphie perhaps are looking at it with rose-tinted spectacles - which, don't get me wrong, I can totally understand, because as much as I'm championing new casting, I would LOVE to see Nikki Davis-Jones go green again, so I get it. But times change, there hasn't been somebody truly new in the role in London since Rachel started over 6 years ago - I really do think it is time for someone else to don the pointy hat and broomstick. If there was going to be a Les Mis-style anniversary concert/special performance then yes by all means, ship some ex-cast members in for the night, but given that we're all expecting nothing more than a "normal" show, I'm not expecting anything more than a "normal" cast. I would, however, be in full support of a special curtain call, even with a song perhaps, and as many ex-London company members as possible. That would be fun! Seeing a video of her singing Defying Gravity made me want to see Wicked in the first place. I never got to see her live because I only discovered Wicked after she had left. It's always been a dream of mine to see her as Elphaba. And since I didn't succeed in saving up enough money to go to New York in time to see her, my only chance to ever see her as Elphaba is for her to come back to London. I'm all for casting new people, but I just really want to see Rachel as Elphaba. I feel like her coming back for 3 months or so could make everyone happy. Those who really want to see her will have there chance and those who want a new Elphaba would get a new one just 3 months later. That being said, I would love to see Rachelle Ann Go as Elphaba.
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Post by isabel on May 8, 2016 11:46:40 GMT
I think it's great we all like different Elphabas. The world would be a very dull place otherwise
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2016 12:43:53 GMT
Has anyone heard the rumour that Carly Anderson might be Glinda in the Bradford/International Tour production?
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Post by Michael on May 8, 2016 12:50:27 GMT
Has anyone heard the rumour that Carly Anderson might be Glinda in the Bradford/International Tour production? It's been discussed in the tour thread on here
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2016 12:56:36 GMT
Has anyone heard the rumour that Carly Anderson might be Glinda in the Bradford/International Tour production? It's been discussed in the tour thread on here Yeah I was just checking if anyone else knew about it. I hope it's true
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2016 15:52:06 GMT
I like the fact we all have different opinions also, otherwise it would just be very boring. I personally find it the most bizarre thing that some people don't like Nikki's Elphaba, while others think I am bizarre for not liking Emma Hatton. It's just the way things work, some people just like different types of performances!
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Post by isabel on May 8, 2016 15:59:14 GMT
O don't like Emma, Nikki or Louise's Elphabas
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2016 16:47:15 GMT
I like the fact we all have different opinions also, otherwise it would just be very boring. I personally find it the most bizarre thing that some people don't like Nikki's Elphaba, while others think I am bizarre for not liking Emma Hatton. It's just the way things work, some people just like different types of performances! I find it bizarre that some people actually like Emma Hatton as Elphaba Also, I can't understand how anyone could not like Rachel Tucker. I can understand why some people don't like Nikki's Elphaba though. Her singing voice is quite nasal. I love it, but I can see why other people wouldn't
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2016 6:42:29 GMT
I just adore Nikki, she really embodied Elphaba for me and I am so fortunate to have seen her Elphaba because she aced it both in vocals and acting when I saw her in Dublin x3. One thing that doesn't translate into audios well is actually how powerful her voice is live, she belted her heard out every time I saw her and I without a doubt believe her belt is stronger than Emma Hatton or Ashleigh Gray, audios really don't do Nikki justice at all. Also, despite her tenure in Wicked there is hardly any videos of Nikki out there, at least not HD ones where you can truly appreciate her acting ability like the videos of Ashleigh or Jackie that are out there, so in essence people are missing the stronger half of her performance when they judge her. Lol, rant done!
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2016 10:06:02 GMT
With all due respect, I think the people to whom Rachel is #1 Elphie perhaps are looking at it with rose-tinted spectacles I loved Rachel in London, she blew my socks off time and time again... I saw her on Broadway and was completely disappointed. Before I went I had the feeling that I should just let bygones be bygones, and let her reign queen of Elphaba in my heart... but I went and she didn't even slightly deliver what I remember. But she still remains, as she was, my queen of Elphaba- I just don't think people should keep coming back to these roles time and time again, bring 3 month contracts in and with it a bit of excitement - it's pointless me speculating ways to enrich Wicked anyway as I'll not be taking the plunge again.
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Post by poster J on May 10, 2016 5:19:44 GMT
With all due respect, I think the people to whom Rachel is #1 Elphie perhaps are looking at it with rose-tinted spectacles With all due respect, people for whom Rachel is #1 are entitled to their opinion as much as anyone else! I've seen a fair few Elphabas and for me none comes close to Rachel. That's my opinion, nothing more, but it's no more or no less valid than yours, and frankly I think it's more than a little rude and condescending of you to intimate that those who think differently to you are somehow misguided or wrong.
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Post by daniel on May 10, 2016 5:56:08 GMT
With all due respect, I think the people to whom Rachel is #1 Elphie perhaps are looking at it with rose-tinted spectacles With all due respect, people for whom Rachel is #1 are entitled to their opinion as much as anyone else! I've seen a fair few Elphabas and for me none comes close to Rachel. That's my opinion, nothing more, but it's no more or no less valid than yours, and frankly I think it's more than a little rude and condescending of you to intimate that those who think differently to you are somehow misguided or wrong. Seriously? If you actually read the rest of my post you'll see that I said that I would be exactly the same if there was any chance of Nikki going green again. Of the people in this thread who want an Elphaba to return, the vast majority want Rachel. That's their opinion, fine, they're entitled to it (if you could point out where I said other people's opinion is less valid than mine, I'd appreciate it), in the same way that I want a fresh cast, that's my opinion and I'm entitled to it. Frankly I think it's more than a little rude and condescending of you to pretty much chat crap and call people out for stuff they haven't actually said. Here is what I actually said - as you'll see, nowhere do I as much as suggest other people's opinions aren't as valid as mine, or that they shouldn't be expressed. With all due respect, I think the people to whom Rachel is #1 Elphie perhaps are looking at it with rose-tinted spectacles - which, don't get me wrong, I can totally understand, because as much as I'm championing new casting, I would LOVE to see Nikki Davis-Jones go green again, so I get it. But times change, there hasn't been somebody truly new in the role in London since Rachel started over 6 years ago - I really do think it is time for someone else to don the pointy hat and broomstick. [/rant]
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Post by poster J on May 11, 2016 1:40:03 GMT
With all due respect, people for whom Rachel is #1 are entitled to their opinion as much as anyone else! I've seen a fair few Elphabas and for me none comes close to Rachel. That's my opinion, nothing more, but it's no more or no less valid than yours, and frankly I think it's more than a little rude and condescending of you to intimate that those who think differently to you are somehow misguided or wrong. Seriously? If you actually read the rest of my post you'll see that I said that I would be exactly the same if there was any chance of Nikki going green again. Of the people in this thread who want an Elphaba to return, the vast majority want Rachel. That's their opinion, fine, they're entitled to it (if you could point out where I said other people's opinion is less valid than mine, I'd appreciate it), in the same way that I want a fresh cast, that's my opinion and I'm entitled to it. Frankly I think it's more than a little rude and condescending of you to pretty much chat crap and call people out for stuff they haven't actually said. Good grief, I hardly think my post merited such a vicious rant back! I called you out for saying that those of us who like Rachel best have "rose tinted spectacles" (your choice of phrase). That wording to me reads that you're saying we don't live in the real world/we put her performances on a higher pedestal than they deserve - use whatever turn of phrase you please but to me that reads as you saying that our opinions are wrong, or inferior to those who like someone else best. Maybe that's not what you intended, but that's what your phrasing read to me. So I called you out on it and gave my opinion, that's all. Maybe you could be a little more careful with your phrasing next time so it can't be misinterpreted.
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Post by Michael on May 11, 2016 11:21:32 GMT
I've just moved three posts about the tour cast to the tour thread. Can we please discuss the tour in its own thread? Thanks.
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Post by wicked on May 11, 2016 14:55:45 GMT
Now that the tour cast has been announced (and Jackie & Carly Anderson are out of the running for London), I'm hoping for a big cast change in September (would like to see new leads and the depature of KRJ) preferably with Sarah French Ellis or Rachel Ann Go as Elphie
(though I wouldn't say no to a 3 month contract for Rachel Tucker for the anniversary before the new leads!)
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2016 15:19:28 GMT
Now that the tour cast has been announced (and Jackie & Carly Anderson are out of the running for London), I'm hoping for a big cast change in September (would like to see new leads and the depature of KRJ) preferably with Sarah French Ellis or Rachel Ann Go as Elphie (though I wouldn't say no to a 3 month contract for Rachel Tucker for the anniversary before the new leads!) 3 months Rachel Tucker and then Rachelle Ann Go would be awesome
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Post by daniel on May 11, 2016 16:08:59 GMT
Do we think Rachelle Ann Go will do Miss Saigon on Broadway with Eva? I'm open minded with the new Wicked cast, as long as we have three new witches I'll be happy
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Post by theatre-turtle on May 11, 2016 16:12:22 GMT
Do we think Rachelle Ann Go will do Miss Saigon on Broadway with Eva? I'm open minded with the new Wicked cast, as long as we have three new witches I'll be happy No I don't think she would consider Gigi a big enough role and isn't it hard to cast non-US nationals?
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Post by welsh_tenor on May 11, 2016 17:04:01 GMT
So with pretty much a clean sweep of new talent in the lead roles on tour I'm excited for London cast change now, hoping for the same!
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Post by indis on May 11, 2016 17:06:54 GMT
When can we expect the first news for tge West End Cast?
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Post by jenc1994 on May 11, 2016 17:13:42 GMT
I'd love for Anna O'Byrne to go into the London cast as Glinda, I think she'd be amazing.
As for Elphaba....Rachelle would be an awesome choice! I also am keen for the idea of Rachel coming back for a 3 month stint.
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2016 17:14:47 GMT
When can we expect the first news for tge West End Cast? Probably somewhere in July
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Post by Michael on May 11, 2016 17:16:05 GMT
So with pretty much a clean sweep of new talent in the lead roles on tour I'm excited for London cast change now, hoping for the same! I wouldn't call recycling Jackie Hughes as Elphaba a "clean sweep of new talent". I know, you're a fan of her, but I am really disappointed. Partly because I only find her Elphaba average, but more so because I wanted someone who is completely new to the role. That said, I still hope for a new and fresh cast for London (and no, that doesn't include Rachel Tucker returning, not even for a 3 month stint). I'd be happy if any of these ladies were cast as Elphaba: Rachel John (she's in Bodyguard I think), Alice Fearn, Rachael Wooding, Sabrina Aloueche, Lauren Samuels, Sam Barks, Danielle Hope, Cynthia Erivo (she's in Color Purple on Broadway), Lauren Varnham, Amanda Coutts, Chloe Hart, Rosalie Craig (?), Rebecca Trehearn (?) And just for the record: I'd love to see Emma Williams, Rosanna Hyland, Amy Lennox, Susan MacFadden, Lucie Jones (opposite Lauren Samuels please), Katie Hall, Bronte Barbé, Julie Atherton, Siobhan Dillon, Faye Brookes, Lucie-Mae Sumner or Celinde Schoenmaker being cast as Glinda.
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Post by welsh_tenor on May 11, 2016 17:24:07 GMT
So with pretty much a clean sweep of new talent in the lead roles on tour I'm excited for London cast change now, hoping for the same! I wouldn't call recycling Jackie Hughes as Elphaba a "clean sweep of new talent". Haha I knew someone would say that hence me saying "pretty much a clean sweep..." Elphie is a huge role (especially on tour with the schedule) so it's always going to be a risk giving the broom to a newbie... London will get new leads! I'm sure of it...
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2016 17:25:14 GMT
So with pretty much a clean sweep of new talent in the lead roles on tour I'm excited for London cast change now, hoping for the same! I wouldn't call recycling Jackie Hughes as Elphaba a "clean sweep of new talent". I know, you're a fan of her, but I am really disappointed. Partly because I only find her Elphaba average, but more so because I wanted someone who is completely new to the role. That said, I still hope for a new and fresh cast for London (and no, that doesn't include Rachel Tucker returning, not even for a 3 month stint). I'd be happy if any of these ladies were cast as Elphaba: Rachel John (she's in Bodyguard I think), Alice Fearn, Rachael Wooding, Sabrina Aloueche, Lauren Samuels, Sam Barks, Danielle Hope, Cynthia Erivo (she's in Color Purple on Broadway), Lauren Varnham, Amanda Coutts, Chloe Hart, Rosalie Craig (?), Rebecca Trehearn (?) And just for the record: I'd love to see Emma Williams, Rosanna Hyland, Amy Lennox, Susan MacFadden, Lucie Jones (opposite Lauren Samuels please), Katie Hall, Bronte Barbé, Julie Atherton, Siobhan Dillon, Faye Brookes, Lucie-Mae Sumner or Celinde Schoenmaker being cast as Glinda. I wouldn't call giving a very popular standby the lead recycling. She proved herself as a standby and was loved by many. I think it's great that they give her the chance to play the role full time. It wouldn't be fair if covering for a role made it impossible for you to ever play the role full-time.
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Post by indis on May 11, 2016 17:29:52 GMT
I want to see Harriet Jones as Glinda sooo bad
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Post by Michael on May 11, 2016 17:39:50 GMT
]I wouldn't call giving a very popular standby the lead recycling. She proved herself as a standby and was loved by many. I think it's great that they give her the chance to play the role full time. It wouldn't be fair if covering for a role made it impossible for you to ever play the role full-time. I understand what you're saying, but I stand by my post. She had her 15min of fame and went on as Elphaba much more often than a standby usually would (because of Ashleigh's health/vocal problems), but now it's time to move on and give someone else the chance to shine. There aren't many female lead roles out there but so much talent and it'd be a shame if the roles always went to the same.
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