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Post by deej4life on Aug 6, 2019 16:47:56 GMT
Lisa-Anne Wood made her Glinda debut on Saturday, performing for both shows (3rd August, 2019)
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Post by deej4life on Jul 27, 2019 11:31:03 GMT
Understudies should be able to announce when they are appearing in advance. I'm sure an understudy for Ogie announcing he will be on won't cause bookings to return.
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Post by deej4life on Jul 27, 2019 11:29:18 GMT
There’s 36 cast members. 32 of them are white. I make that about 89% white. The UK is about 87% white. So Wicked's casting is actually matching the UK demographic reasonably well. I think this whole debate about race is ridiculous. If the most talented people for the role happen to be white, then they should be hired. Wicked does not bias their casting on race. It really is causing a fuss over nothing.
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Post by deej4life on Jul 16, 2019 15:20:34 GMT
Waitress on Broadway has just announced that it will close on January 5th, 2020. Very sad news, I wasn't even aware that the production was not performing well enough to justify staying open on Broadway!
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Post by deej4life on Jun 8, 2019 12:40:14 GMT
Kat is injured/recovering from an injury at the moment isn't she?
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Post by deej4life on Jun 8, 2019 12:39:42 GMT
Thanks for the suggestions everyone!
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Post by deej4life on Jun 5, 2019 11:16:58 GMT
Hi everyone! I was just curious as to what shows offered student discounts in the West End?
I know Wicked offers best available tickets for £30 on Monday-Thursday, so I was wondering if any other shows offer student discounts on the day of purchase. I'm planning on bringing a friend to London next month and was hoping to bring her to see a show on the cheaper side.
Any suggestions/insight?
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Post by deej4life on May 15, 2019 21:24:22 GMT
Hayley Gallivan
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Post by deej4life on Apr 25, 2019 21:20:22 GMT
Hayley Gallivan
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Post by deej4life on Apr 18, 2019 16:05:23 GMT
Hayley Gallivan
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Post by deej4life on Jan 9, 2019 12:45:34 GMT
Well all I can say is that the electronic board in the theatre said the names I said in my original post. There was a separate page saying Tom was Fiyero. It doesn't say much for the theatre if that is how little it values its cast and customers. I can confirm for you that had Maria Coyne (standby) as Glinda and Carl Man (understudy) as Fiyero on Monday night. Sophie Evans is on scheduled holidays, and both Maria/Carl tweeted they were on Monday night
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Post by deej4life on Jan 4, 2019 17:29:57 GMT
Amy and Helen make a fantastic pairing, both individually are also phenomenal. Amy Ross has really brought a lot of life to Elphaba!
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Post by deej4life on Jan 4, 2019 0:27:38 GMT
I think we need the return of the ever loved "SavEmma"
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Post by deej4life on Jan 4, 2019 0:18:44 GMT
Alice and Sophie have unofficially confirmed they were leaving since last year, which is unsurprising considering they have now had two contracts as leads. I really want to see Amy Ross get lead, I can't think of an Elphaba more deserving!
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Post by deej4life on Jan 3, 2019 23:38:42 GMT
Amy Ross for London lead 2019 please and thank you!
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Post by deej4life on Dec 29, 2018 20:37:17 GMT
I hope Amy R will be well enough by next week to slay the final few shows of the tour, it'd be really disappointing if she couldn't close out the tour! She has had really bad luck for the majority of this tour
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Post by deej4life on Oct 8, 2018 19:26:35 GMT
It appears that telling people they should die crossed a certain line with the Youtube algorithm, the video has been removed!
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Post by deej4life on Aug 29, 2018 21:06:45 GMT
I was meant to be at the show today but couldn't make it due to illness, even more upset after finding out Hannah went on as Nessarose!
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Post by deej4life on Aug 28, 2018 22:09:52 GMT
The run in Dublin has been from 17th July - 1st September. I don't find this run particularly long. I think also because it's the only venue for all of Ireland the stay is quite justified. Two weeks ago when I was attending the show I met a large group who traveled down from Belfast to catch the show. For me personally it's a three hour bus to get to Dublin, and another three hour bus home, so the length the tour has stayed has been perfect to allow me to catch it a few times and manage it around work and a social life.
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Post by deej4life on Aug 16, 2018 16:02:09 GMT
Quick review from the show on Tuesday night and the Wednesday matinee. Worth mentioning that this was the "power outage" matinee, the show wasn't able to start until just after 4pm, an hour and a half after the scheduled start time!
Amy Ross (Elphaba): I am just constantly amazed by Amy. Her portrayal of Elphaba is entirely different to anything I have seen before. She delivers such a layered and emotional performance. Both shows were full of amazing energy and unique moments to Amy's Elphaba. Vocally, Amy really went for it on Tuesday night. Bringing all her iconic riffs and growls. I was in total awe of her performance.
Helen Woolf (Glinda): As per usual, Helen delivered a fantastic performance as Glinda. She has such unique little choices that make her stand out among the other UK Glindas. She is able to nail the humour consistently throughout the show, while also delivering a very conflicted and vulnerable Glinda throughout Act 2. Vocally, as always, Helen was sublime, I could not possibly fault her voice!
Benjamin Yates (u/s Fiyero): Benjamin was a very likable Fiyero. Ben had very good comedic timing and he really played up the comedy shtick throughout the show. Vocally, Ben has a gorgeous voice, with nice riffs throughout. He can sometimes be a little quiet, but the clarity of his singing does make up for it. Ben had great chemistry with Amy throughout the show. Their connection felt very sincere and natural!
Kim Ismay (Madame Morrible): As always, Kim delivers a very comedic side of Morrible, while still keeping that sinister nature intact. I love her disdain for Glinda throughout the show, it's very amusing seeing Kim and Helen interact!
Emily Shaw (Nessarose): Emily keeps improving each time I see her. She has certainly come out of her shell a lot more. Her acting in the role is very good and she delivers a very emotive performance!
Iddon Jones (Boq): Not my cup of tea, but he does fine in the role.
Steven Pinder (The Wizard/Dr Dillamond): Steven is honestly a national treasure, we need to keep him with Wicked for the rest of his life!
I must give praise to the ensemble, who on this tour just do go above and beyond. The ensemble bring so much energy and life and really make the stage come alive at each performance!
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Post by deej4life on Aug 12, 2018 11:32:28 GMT
I imagine if a third tour were to happen as early as 2020 it would return to venues that the original tour went to, but the current tour has not? These being Plymouth, Milton Keynes, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Salford. I'm not really seeing how they could justify touring Wicked again so soon without it returning to some of the larger scale venues.
I would love to see it happen, but I can't imagine it being very profitable with such little choice of venues that would yield a lot of profit. I can't see the tour leaving the UK either after all the issues with the international tour!
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Post by deej4life on Aug 10, 2018 23:30:47 GMT
I would love to see Spring Awakening do a tour. It's been a favourite of mine since seeing a bootleg of the OBC and the US Tour cast with the incredible Christy Altomare!
As for other tours, I would love to see Book of Mormon also! It's a show I've been dying to see but I can't quite get to London anytime soon!
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Post by deej4life on Aug 10, 2018 23:24:06 GMT
There have been a few rumours flying around recently that Wicked will have another tour starting around 2020. Apparently Plymouth is one of the venues that is provisionally booked. Has anyone else heard similar things regarding this. I'd be more than happy to see Wicked come back so soon after closing their current tour in Manchester!
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Post by deej4life on Aug 9, 2018 14:29:40 GMT
The increasing amount of comments by "you know who" on Youtube videos of Amy Ross, Laura Pick etc.. are just completely vile. Recently a video was uploaded and she posted a nasty comment. The video was re uploaded to make corrections and almost immediately she commented again saying the exact same thing, word for word, almost like she directly copy and pasted the comment.
I don't know how she can honestly call herself a fan of the show, when she behaves in such a vile and nasty way. I'm sure if Alice, Rachel and Nikki (her supposed favorites) were to read those comments, they would be beyond disgusted by her childish behavior. I didn't want to even bring more attention to this issue, but she really needs to be stopped from what she is doing. It's horrid!
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Post by deej4life on Aug 9, 2018 14:23:58 GMT
I am so excited to be seeing Benjamin Yates as Fiyero next Tuesday and Wednesday, tempted to book another ticket for the evening show as it will more than likely be my only chance to catch him as Fiyero! Have any of you seen his portrayal? I want to know if it is worthwhile booking another show?
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Post by deej4life on Jul 26, 2018 11:06:51 GMT
I certainly experience that change in energy between the London and tour productions. I find the London ensemble especially to look rather bored and uninterested throughout the show. The tour just carries a lot more energy with it. I haven't seen the new cast yet, but I will be visiting London next year and I am looking forward to (hopefully) seeing an improvement in the energy!
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Post by deej4life on Jul 20, 2018 22:33:00 GMT
I saw both performances of Wicked yesterday in Dublin, this is just a brief-ish review for anyone who may be interested! Quick note to say that the Dublin audiences were insane at both shows. Laughing at every joke, cheering after every song. It was great as the energy from the audience often influences the performers on stage. You could tell the cast were having an amazing time!
Amy Ross (Elphaba - matinee show): Anyone who has read my previous reviews knows that I adore Amy as Elphaba. She gives such a layered performance and really goes through every emotion throughout the show. She is so sweet and likable, making her transformation throughout the show even more powerful. Amy really took command entering Defying Gravity and gave a fierce rendition of the song (with her infamous growl). I love how clean she sings the score, only a few riffs here and there but she mostly sticks to the basics, which really just works when she so effortlessly portrays the role. Truly one of the greatest Elphabas the UK has seen.
Nikki Bentley (Elphaba - evening show): Nikki has improved leaps and bounds since I last saw her in Liverpool. Her character development is astounding. She has really found her own little quirks with the role, which makes her character have so much more depth and she comes across as far more relatable. Vocally she completely wowed me. I believe Nikki is probably one of the strongest Elphabas I have ever heard. Her belt quite literally shakes you in your seat, and when mixed with her riffs really just wraps up the whole performance so well. Nikki has just displayed so much improvement, I am thoroughly excited to see her again for her scheduled shows in August!
Helen Woolf (Glinda): Helen was stunning (as always) as Glinda. She has somehow managed to bring even more depth to her portrayal. I tend to connect more to Elphaba than I do Glinda throughout the show, however Helen really managed to draw me in and make me really feel for Glinda throughout the story. Her blend of comedy and raw emotion is honestly just breathtaking. Vocally Helen is incredibly impressive, her soprano is always so crisp and you can't fault her belt. A true standout from the Glindas I have seen.
Aaron Sidwell (Fiyero): I find myself liking Aaron more and more each time I see him. He adds little touches of humanity to Fiyero throughout the show that makes his transition from bad boy to sweetheart more natural than it often seems. He is very likable on stage and has little vocal quirks that I love listening out for when he's on stage. A brilliant Fiyero who has really proved his capability in the role.
Emily Shaw (Nessarose): Emily has also made many improvements to her performance as Nessarose. I kept a close eye on her performance throughout both shows and you can see a much more believable transformation of her character. The train station scene was particularly memorable as we can truly see the change in her character from sweet and loving to emotionally exhausted and bitter.
Iddon Jones (Boq): Iddon seemed to be enjoying himself slightly more on stage than in previous performances. The whole cast were quite energetic throughout so this lead to an improved performance from Iddon. Not much else to say other than he gave a serviceable performance.
Kim Ismay (Madame Morrible): Kim has really changed up her performance since her injury. She has toned down the bitchiness of Morrible and while I thought initially this might hinder her character, it made her seem slightly more realistic, making her performance have more impact. Vocally, Kim really does her little moments justice.
Steven Pinder (The Wizard & Dr Dillamond): Steven just continues to impress. With how long he has been playing these two roles you would think he would lose some passion for his performance, but Steven consistently delivers. As the Wizard he is incredibly charming and is just a joy to watch, he is like a giant child running around the stage and it is very amusing to watch. As Dillamond, her performs a very fatherly role model for Elphaba. Steven is just an all round amazing performer.
Thank you for reading, I'll keep updates throughout the rest of the venue!
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Post by deej4life on Jun 23, 2018 22:37:42 GMT
Is anyone seeing the tour once it reaches Dublin? I'll be seeing it... a few times *ahem*
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Post by deej4life on Jun 12, 2018 11:20:52 GMT
I am back from my weekend trip away to Edinburgh, where I saw both shows for the closing day of the tour at the Edinburgh Playhouse. I just wanted to post a brief-ish review of the show (for anyone who may be interested). Quick note to say that Edinburgh is a gorgeous city, and the Playhouse is a stunning theatre which really helped bring the show to life. The audiences really helped make it a special final day in Edinburgh!
Amy Ross (Elphaba): Amy was just stunning as Elphaba. I had seen her previously in Liverpool, and she has improved many aspects of her performance. She has added some new acting choices which really make her Elphaba more unique, her acting in the role is what truly makes her a standout for me. Amy is able to combine so many different layers of emotion in her Elphaba, which makes her journey very believable and emotional to watch. Vocally, she is quite consistent. She dropped a few of her smaller riffs, which I believe has benefited her in being able to consistently perform eight times a week without over-exerting herself. By far, a standout among the Elphabas I have seen to date.
Charli Baptie (u/s Glinda): I was delighted to get the opportunity to see Charli as Glinda, as I had heard positive reviews from other fans of the show. Charli gave a very emotive performance, her facial expressions are very good and you can see the emotions that she is processing throughout the show without becoming overly expressive and "cartoon"-ish. Charli really had the audience going during Popular, where she added some really unique touches that I haven't seen any other Glinda do. She has really brought her own stamp to the role already which is a delight to see.
Aaron Sidwell (Fiyero): Aaron was again very cheeky and oddly charming as Fiyero. I enjoy when Fiyero adds that level of smug, bad boy charm to their performance, without making it overbearing. The chemistry between Aaron and Amy is very believable on stage, and you can see this connection building throughout the show, with it culminating in an incredibly steamy rendition of As Long As You're Mine. Vocally, Aaron is very solid and has some gorgeous vocalisations throughout the show, often using his accent to help improve these moments.
Kim Ismay (Madame Morrible): I don't think I have ever hated Madame Morrible THIS much. Kim has transformed Madame Morrible into the nastiest b*tch on stage, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Throughout the show, you could see the absolute disdain that Morrible held for Glinda. Every second that Glinda and Morrible were together on stage, Kim would have the most hilarious grimace on her face and she would not let up on this throughout the show. Her comedic timing is excellent and she really manages to sneak in every bit of humour (where it is appropriate), while also keeping her menacing presence.
Iddon Jones (Boq): Being perfectly honest, I am quite disappointed in Iddon as Boq. I understand that Boq isn't exactly a big role with much scope, but he just seems fed up with the role. You can tell that Iddon is just running through the motions on stage. He misses several opportunities where he could make his character stand out, and instead gives a tired performance.
Emily Shaw (Nessarose): I am pleased to say that Emily has improved on several aspects of her performance as Nessarose. Emily comes across as quite a timid, yet likable Nessarose. She does not overstate her performance, which lends well to the way that she has decided to play the role. Vocally, she isn't as powerful as I'd like in her big moment of Act 2, but there is certainly an improvement from when I have previously seen her. During certain parts of the show however, I do feel that Emily is somewhat bored. Regardless, she still delivers an enjoyable performance.
Steven Pinder (The Wizard & Dr Dillamond): I adore Steven Pinder. In both roles, he manages to make the characters come to life with an added layer of personality that I haven't seen other actors quite achieve. As Dr Dillamond, Steven really achieves the caring, fatherly role towards Elphaba, and certainly succeeds in making you feel bad for Dr Dillamond. As the Wizard, Steven makes the role so much fun and makes scenes such as Wonderful a joy to watch.
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Post by deej4life on Jun 1, 2018 22:54:09 GMT
I am seeing the tour for both shows on June 9th, can't wait to see the show in the Playhouse, it looks like such a gorgeous theatre! I am hoping Amy will be on, I only managed to catch her for one show last time and would love to see how much she has improved since then!
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