The Ongoing Wicked Discussion Thread

Today's matinee is an autism friendly relaxed performance

You scared me. After reading this I assumed they've changed Emma's holiday dates at the end of June, but after checking their website, they haven't. Lucky me

Booked my hotel and flights way in advance, and the main purpose of this trip is to see Natalie A three last times.

Which dates did they change, and which standby did you want to catch?

Saw Rachel on Broadway tonight and she exceeded all my expectations. Having read the earlier review on here that said she was sub-par I wasn't expecting fireworks, but it turned out to be possibly my favourite performance of hers out of about 5 times I've seen her in the role. There was a greater ferocity and intensity to her performance than I've seen in the past, and she nailed Defying Gravity and No Good Need as she always has done. I loved seeing the subtle changes she's brought to her performance for Broadway and her valiant attempt at an American accent (with occasional hints of Northern Irish twang!). And she coped really well with a mid-show medical emergency in the audience as well, picking up where she left off without hesitation once it was all sorted.

She's been my favourite Elphaba for years now and she definitely still is!

I found Carrie's Glinda waaaaaay too over the top at times. The audience were lapping it up but I didn't find it funny. I liked some bits where she used a deeper voice (though she did it far too much), and she had pretty good comic timing in parts, though a lot of the humour was lost by her rushing through lines. I actually liked Thank Goodness though, and that's usually my least favourite bit of the show.

Jonah Platt can't dance but otherwise he's a decent enough Fiyero. He and Rachel have a pretty believable onstage chemistry.

I quite liked Judy Kaye's Morrible, though it was strange to hear her speak with a more British accent when Rachel was trying so hard to sound American!

No idea who played the Wizard but he was awful, no real comic timing, basically speak-sang it and no facial expressions whatsoever (I was about 5 rows from the front so could see facial expressions clearly). Boq, Nessa and Dillamond were all fine, nothing special but all perfectly competent. I liked Boq and Nessa in the Ozdust Ballroom scene in particular

The ensemble weren't very tight at all, I would have thought it was their first week if I hadn't known otherwise, so that was disappointing.

It was Rachel's show though, I'd have left feeling very different if she hadn't put in such a virtuoso performance, she was miles better than anyone else on that stage last night.

If only some of the Funny Girl/Sunset Boulevard fans were as positive as you!

Thanks but I will be too busy in Bradford/ financially recovering from Bradford then

There were actually two potential Elphabas in last night, Jodie Jacobs came to see the show (and specifically Natalie Andreou), she said that it's her 14th time and she can't get enough. Rachel John and Jodie Jacobs as lead and s/b switching into Beverley Knight and Rachael Wooding early next year maybe?

If that does happen I imagine the two Rachel's would have to swap as Rachel John is going with Beverely to Bodyguard?

Also it Beverley Knight did take over we could potentially see our first Alternate Elphaba as Im sure Beverely always has an alternate - even for Cats!

Where has the Wicked International tour thread gone to?

re-visited Wicked last night after not seeing it for a couple of years. Not sure who I saw as I didn't buy a programme but thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it was pretty well sung.

Woman next to me got her phone and e-cigarette out within 5 minutes of it starting, had to ask her to put her phone away 3 times before she actually did! Grr

Was in row E of the circle after buying £25 tickets through the recent Lastminute.com offer so was pretty pleased with those seats. Circle was 2/3 full.

Ahh thank you!

And Natalie McQueen is Nessa! Sounds like a swing-tactic show!