The Ongoing Wicked Discussion Thread

Not really because you’re buying a ticket to see the show. You have no idea the reasons Lucie was so patchy with her attendance - and more to the point you literally have no right to know. Her medical history is her own business, not yours. I don’t understand why everyone’s up in arms about it in this day and age.. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Because ‘in this day & age’ musical theatre is as much about its stars as it is about the shows. Social media has been utilised to drum up frenzies at every cast change. People have a right to expect to see the faces used to advertise the show. The show is sold on it. Blah blah sickness & holiday…blah blah medical privacy. Either go back to casting fabulous nobodies and CREATING stars or act with a bit of integrity and admit whatever voice saving schedule has been agreed.

But I read in this forum that she averaged 65% of shows. I do not have as much theatre experience as you or some here but that sounds like a good rate to me and more than some others who have performed . I think of people like Connie Fisher who burned their voices as they performed too much. I can’t imagine many people being able to do 8 shows a week every week without damage. It’s a skilled job and an artist needs to protect their voice. I know I was lucky and caught Lucie every one of the 5 times I went and Helen three times. I do think I would have been disappointed to not see her. But perhaps it is the expectation that is wrong not the artist and theatres should be more transparent. I do understand why they may not wish to be re ticket sales etc. I see no easy answers. I wonder if Lucie gets more stick than others because she already famous and I am not sure that’s fair if it is the case. Did anyone download the delete sentimental men podcast?

But as several people have pointed out to you numerous times, the cast are not billed above the title. Therefore you are not buying a ticket to see the cast you are buying a ticket to see the show. I’m not saying that people can’t be disappointed they didn’t get to see someone, I’m saying the same people moaning that Lucie only did a certain percentage of shows doesn’t mean that the show was wrong for not clarifying what was going on there.

Someone else mentioned in other jobs that person would get fired or moved positions if they were on half the time. It genuinely depends.. like I keep saying over and over: we don’t know what issues Lucie was facing during Wicked. She could have a chronic health condition or suffering with mental health issues and therefore was only able to do a certain amount of shows a week. The producers not only do not need to clarify this, it would actually be against the law to share an employees medical issues without the permission of the employee. And also it would be discriminatory if it was such medical issues to not employ or to replace said employee.

My kinder surprise comment was a joke btw but I’m glad everyone took it so seriously lol.

You're not "pointing anything out" to us, we're all aware of the "you paid for Wicked, you saw Wicked" argument. We're just saying that one of the leading reasons that people book certain shows is to see their favourite performers, so they're allowed to be disappointed when they're not on, that's all.

Being disappointed is one thing, I totally get that and we’ve all been there I’m sure. Ironically I was left disappointed (until the show started) when I first saw Waitress to catch Katharine McPhee and it was Lucie Jones on in her place that they’d drafted in before she officially started.

But some people acting like there’s this big conspiracy / stitch up going on is a bit baffling? Not suggesting you have done that but others have implied it. I really don’t think there’s that much in it and ultimately like I and other have said, surely the majority of people going to see the show won’t care or probably even notice.

I’m certain the company manager isn’t having a laugh every week going hahahah this is hilarious who shall we call this week to come back this week.

So if you’re all aware why do we keep having the same debate 😂 I said you were allowed to be disappointed. If Alexia isn’t on when I drag myself back to London, I might just turn around and go back home 👀 No one is saying that you can’t be disappointed but I think quite a few of us don’t quite get the outrage that has been posted on the thread previously (not necessarily by you).

Yeah, whereas in the (now deleted) Sentimental Men podcast with Lucie, she said she only went on when she felt she could give 100% (or words to that effect). So she prioritised quality over quantity which I guess is fair enough, although it definitely did disappoint a lot of people. Is it better to see Wicked with a cover Elphaba, or Wicked with Lucie giving a subpar performance for whatever reason? For Joe Public the former is preferable, but for Lucie fans maybe they'd prefer the latter 🤷. The producers should have announced a regular Alternate Elphaba when it became clear Lucie couldn't do the regular eight shows, then at least they'd save some disappointment (and maybe Lucie would have been able to sustain more seven-show weeks).

I honestly don’t think we should be discussing @health@ issues I don’t think Lucie performed any fewer shows than many other Elphaba’s. It’s just that she has been open about it and is more famous than some so it attracts more attention . I wish she had chosen to extend her contact and stay longer. I wish Helen had too tbh. If that had been not possible then that would be disappointing. I think their dynamic was great and lifted the show. That’s not to say I would not be disappointed if I tuned up to find out the main lead I had gone to see was not performing. Of course I would.. Frankly though I think 8 shows a week is just too much. Just my view. My hope is both will come back one day. I am not @in the know@ about the ‘company’ being disappointed etc and I think without evidence that’s debatable. All I do know is her fame and personality and charisma brought the show alive with Helen and I am please for that. By the way I had never encountered either Helen or Lucie before seeing Wicked so I am not strictly a @fan girl@. But I do appreciate good acting in musicals. I also respect that other ma may view things differently.

What? Your dream job that you know you’ll only be doing for a year? 😂🤦‍♂️

Because it’s a theatre discussion forum and we’re discussing it. Also, the matter of who is on/not on is the only point of interest keeping this thread alive at the moment and that has been for some time. If you want to introduce a new Wicked topic the thread is here, we’re here, go for it.