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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2016 13:33:54 GMT
This is worse imo. At least Rachel and Willemijn hadn't been in the production for a few years. Both were playing Elphaba on Broadway before they joined the London production. Yes, technically different productions, but still the same part. Yeah but most people who see it in London haven't seen it on Broadway and vice-versa |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2016 13:35:07 GMT
Kara Lindsay is taking over from Carrie St.Louis on Broadway. Such uninspired casting. She's good, but she literally just left. And some people are unhappy with the "boring" casting in London. I know this might surprise everyone as I'm usually heading the "fresh blood" brigade, but I'm incredibly happy that Kara Lindsay is returning. I only ever saw her once and was blown away. She's by far the best and funniest Glinda I ever saw and I'd be even more thrillified if she eventually became our West End Glinda. Or Alli Mauzey. That's exactly the same way many people feel about Rachel as Elphaba. |
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Post by Michael on Oct 28, 2016 14:38:09 GMT
Just seen that Kara is returning on 1st November (much earlier than I thought she would), so I'll get to see her in December  |
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Post by singularsensation10 on Oct 28, 2016 15:36:14 GMT
Seeing the announcement of Kara did surprise me especially after them bringing her back with Jennie as Elphaba. Seems to be a worldwide thing I suppose. A friend interviewed Stephen Schwartz at the 10th Anniversary and he said he 'hand picked' (in those words) Susie and Rachel for the 10th anniversary cast - they are certainly not a 'boring' casting choice. There is a big push at the minute so they need a really strong cast in for the 10th anniversary.
Did anyone get to see Alice last night??
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2016 16:42:34 GMT
Seeing the announcement of Kara did surprise me especially after them bringing her back with Jennie as Elphaba. Seems to be a worldwide thing I suppose. A friend interviewed Stephen Schwartz at the 10th Anniversary and he said he 'hand picked' (in those words) Susie and Rachel for the 10th anniversary cast - they are certainly not a 'boring' casting choice. There is a big push at the minute so they need a really strong cast in for the 10th anniversary. Did anyone get to see Alice last night?? I certainly don't think the current London cast is boring. It's one of the best we've ever had. I was just referring to some people not being happy with the fact that former stars are being brought back. |
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Post by AliceFearnFan2212 on Oct 28, 2016 22:57:56 GMT
Rachel did the Melt Riff tonight!☺️😍
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Post by Dan213 on Oct 29, 2016 15:49:52 GMT
Rachel did the Melt Riff tonight!☺️😍 Do we have to know every time she does a riff? XD |
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Post by shady23 on Oct 29, 2016 17:15:30 GMT
Yes as we like to record this information on our spreadsheets...  Is the "melt riff" not standard Tucker though? |
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Post by AliceFearnFan2212 on Oct 29, 2016 20:09:45 GMT
High F riff tonight!
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Post by singularsensation10 on Oct 29, 2016 20:14:13 GMT
Would love to hear the conversations James has with Rach with regard to riffing...
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2016 22:12:10 GMT
Yes as we like to record this information on our spreadsheets... Is the "melt riff" not standard Tucker though? It's not standard Tucker. Sometimes she does it, sometimes she doesn't |
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Post by welsh_tenor on Oct 30, 2016 8:36:27 GMT
Yes as we like to record this information on our spreadsheets... Is the "melt riff" not standard Tucker though? For good record keeping then it was 2nd understudy midwife last night and she did the "nose" riff. She's such a maverick. |
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Post by shady23 on Oct 30, 2016 9:05:42 GMT
Ah but when fifth cover midwife does that top d "positively g-reeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-nnnnnnnn" riff.... Wow. .....
Fourth cover tends to go for a top c which I don't rate, personally.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2016 10:37:49 GMT
Nooo! Why did I miss that?  I've been dying to witness the "nose" riff live! |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2016 12:21:25 GMT
Sometimes it's like a foreign language in here.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2016 14:31:06 GMT
Just finished a 4 show Wicked weekend, saw Alice Thursday and Rachel Friday / Saturday x2. Alice was absolutely exceptional, as she was when I saw her earlier this month. She is very fierce, and manages to really belt those money notes, meaning the big songs don't disappoint. There was light scattered applause during her bring me downs too, which is incredibly rare but much deserved, I think a testament to how good her vocals are. She's quite like Rachel in the sense that she plays Elphaba as a very vulnerable character, but I get the impression that Alice is more fragile whereas there's a slight unhinged nature to Rachel's Elphaba coming through at points, both of which work really well. For the riff fans, Alice has a glorious melt riff that I don't think she's actually done a Wizard and I without yet. She also has mixed things up a bit since I last saw her, there's a new extended look note and she's dropped the Rachel "solo" riff (I'm glad, even when executed perfectly it always sounds a bit like an afterthought under your breath). Rachel was equally incredible at the three shows I saw her at. I've seen her a few times since she's returned and always left feeling a little underwhelmed, there's been an element of sickness or her clearly holding back at each of the shows I'd seen previously, but she blasted it at every single one of the shows this weekend (including the Saturday matinee - I mean who does that?) and the audience responded so well to her. Her belt is beautiful, and at its most powerful can fill the theatre and really give you goosebumps. I get why a lot of people tend to cry when Rachel sings Defying Gravity, each aspect of it is brilliant, her acting, emotions, characterisations and vocals combine to give an incredible result. Her voice is very "piercing", which as rude and insulting as that sounds, it's actually a huge compliment, you feel like the sheer force and majesty of her vocals are attacking you, and it's brilliant to behold. She did her melt riff on the Friday night, the things I've never felt at both on Saturday, her I'm flying high "defying" gravity on the Saturday night and the high bring me down at all 3 shows. It's a shame Rachel can't pull a 100% show out of the bag 8 times a week, as no Elphaba ever could, but I'm thrilled to have seen 3 consecutive ones this weekend. Her acting was, as always, flawless, and is the one aspect of her performance that never wavers, I really love the fact that she mumbles to herself under her breath, and isn't afraid to break the mould when it comes to character choices. It makes her Elphaba all the more unique and poignant as a result of that. I have to mention Suzie, who as well as being my new favourite Glinda, performed the funniest Popular I have ever seen on Saturday night. The audience were hanging onto her every word and in the palm of her hand, and the level of laughter was the kind of thing that you would expect from a Broadway Popular, there were several instances where her and Rachel had to pause to let everyone finish laughing, and there were two rounds of applause during the song itself too. We are very lucky indeed to have such an outstanding Glinda in our city. Of course the highlight of the weekend, in hindsight I should have opened with this, was the mindblowing "nose" riff that second understudy Midwife performed. I have never seen such a spectacle in a theatre before. Witch's Father wet himself, Witch's Mother was so shocked she accidentally flung the about to be born green baby into the stalls, and the audience went wild. At the time I did think that fourteen standing ovations was a little excessive, but looking back, I'm quite surprised it didn't get more than twenty  |
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Post by Dawnstar on Oct 30, 2016 15:25:43 GMT
Just finished a 4 show Wicked weekend Any comment on Martin Ball as the Wizard? I'd be interested to hear how he's getting on with the role. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2016 19:36:31 GMT
Just finished a 4 show Wicked weekend Any comment on Martin Ball as the Wizard? I'd be interested to hear how he's getting on with the role. I'm not hugely fond of him if I'm honest. On Thursday he got his words a bit muddled and sang "I am a sentimental man, who always longed to be a father. That's why each citizen of Oz..." at which point he paused and panicked, and Suzie had to whisper the next line to him. I don't think he's bad by any means, but he does even after a few shows under his belt still seem incredibly nervous. One of the most important things about the Wizard is his confidence to the point of arrogance, but that doesn't really come across. I get why he didn't cover the Wizard first time around, and I think it's a shame that since they've changed it so that Dillamond has to. I think Russell is more than deserving enough of first cover Wizard of being second cover for 3 years, and I'm sure they can get one of the other guys, maybe Scott, to be a new second cover. |
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Post by Dawnstar on Oct 30, 2016 21:48:36 GMT
Any comment on Martin Ball as the Wizard? I'd be interested to hear how he's getting on with the role. I'm not hugely fond of him if I'm honest. On Thursday he got his words a bit muddled and sang "I am a sentimental man, who always longed to be a father. That's why each citizen of Oz..." at which point he paused and panicked, and Suzie had to whisper the next line to him. I don't think he's bad by any means, but he does even after a few shows under his belt still seem incredibly nervous. One of the most important things about the Wizard is his confidence to the point of arrogance, but that doesn't really come across. I get why he didn't cover the Wizard first time around, and I think it's a shame that since they've changed it so that Dillamond has to. I think Russell is more than deserving enough of first cover Wizard of being second cover for 3 years, and I'm sure they can get one of the other guys, maybe Scott, to be a new second cover. Oh dear, he screwed up that line when I saw him too. It sounds like he's still struggling with the role then. I had hoped that a few weeks of being on would help. Oh well, I guess sometimes an actor & a role just don't get on with each other very well. |
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Post by tr252 on Oct 31, 2016 20:58:35 GMT
Rachel is known for big belting voice but I love her I'm Not That Girl, it's beautiful.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2016 17:43:34 GMT
Hey guys! I am just back from doing a three show weekend in London (28th&29th October, 2016) and I had an amazing time. This is my second time writing this review, as somehow my browser closed yesterday as I was nearly finished my original draft so this probably won't be quite as long.
After only seeing Wicked on tour for quite some time, it was a breath of fresh air to once again see Wicked on the Apollo Victoria stage. I forgot just quite how beautiful the whole show looks on a stage that is essentially made for the show. It was my first time sitting front row in London and the view was amazing! I was so glad to also see the several changes from the tour, such as the lift for "No Good Deed" as well as the bridge above the stage and the stairs on stage right! Now, for the review of the cast!
Rachel Tucker as Elphaba: Wow! Rachel absolutely slayed as Elphaba! This weekend, Rachel gave her all at all three performance! Rachel plays a very conflicted Elphaba, which is very effective. You can truly see just how unsure her Elphaba is of herself and her actions, which makes it all the more effective when she goes against The Wizard at the end of Act 1! Rachel is also able to play up the young and goofy side of Elphaba, which makes her very relatable and likable in the role! Rachel has excellent comedic timing and plays really well off of Suzie. I am sure over the course of the three shows I heard basically every Tucker riff (yes, including the melt and high F riffs!). I was in awe of just how powerful Rachel's belt was, it was so rich and loud and is by far the most powerful belt I have heard from any Elphaba thus far! I am still in shock that Rachel did her higher 2nd "bring me down" riff at all three shows, I mean, who does that?! If you have the opportunity to go see Rachel, take it!
Suzie Mathers as Glinda: Suzie was just a dream as Glinda and her long tenure in the role really shows as she plays such a versatile Glinda. Suzie taps into every emotion perfectly and really knows how to play the role perfectly. I was so impressed with how Suzie could jump from such powerful emotional moments that would tug at your heart strings to gut-wrenching laughter on a dime. One aspect I loved about Suzie was how real her Glinda was, you felt that this person could truly exist in everyday life. Suzie has a gorgeous soprano and a ground breaking belt. She really just embodies the role in every sense and is by far one of the greatest actresses to ever play the role of Glinda!
Oliver Saville as Fiyero: Oliver was excellent as Fiyero. He played the role in a very cheeky way, constant smiles and winks, his joy in the role is infectious! You can really tell Oliver loves every second he spends up on stage! Vocally Oliver is very good and I had no problems with any aspect of his performance! *cough he is also hot cough*
Anita Dobson as Madame Morrible: From the reviews I had read about Anita as Madame Morrible I was expecting this very cheesy, pantomime mess to appear on stage before me, and this was not the case! Anita plays a very caring and loving Madame Morrible, a strange approach but oddly touching, her affection towards Elphaba in Act 1 seems very genuine and "grandmotherly". Her disdain for Glinda was hilarious, she took a very "Kim Ismay" approach to this, with many eye rolls and disgusted glances! Anita had decent comedic timing, although sometimes she spoke so slowly that the joke was lost. She could have played the role a bit more menacing, she is very softly spoken. Overall I enjoyed Anita as Madame Morrible.
Katie Rowley-Jones as Nessarose: Katie was very much a mixed bag for me this weekend. On Friday night she looked like she wanted to be anywhere else but on stage. She looked so pale, sounded ill and appeared as though she hated every moment on stage. She couldn't even muster a forced smile during the moments Nessa was meant to be at her happiest (jeweled shoes, dancing with Boq), no exaggeration, she did not smile once! However, for both Saturday shows it was like watching an entirely different performer. Katie was full of energy, looked like she was having fun on stage and gave a very convincing performance as Nessarose, especially with her Act 2 as she gave a fierce rendition of "Wicked Witch of the East". It is a pity there is such a vast difference in the quality of her performances!
Idriss Kargbo as Boq: I had heard many negative reviews of Idriss as Boq, and I am afraid I must add my own voice to this. Idriss is very camp in the role, with a very high pitched voice and very campy mannerisms. It makes the concept of him actually being in love Glinda completely unbelievable. Idriss looked more interested in Fiyero throughout the show if I am being honest. Also, whenever he did show interest in Glinda it was unnerving as he looked like he was planning on how to assault her when they were alone together. Idriss is a very nice person, but should not be playing a role he is clearly not suited for.
Martin Ball as The Wizard: Martin falls into the category of "it's so bad, it is good". Martin plays the role like your typical drunk uncle at a party. He makes some very interesting facial expressions, throws his arms around randomly and at one point started stroking a beard that doesn't exist while stating "yes" in his best villain voice. To be honest, it was such a bizarre and incoherent performance that I found myself thoroughly enjoying it due to how unpredictable it was!
Russel Walker as Dr Dillamond: Russell was a very solid Dr Dillamond, of course as we all know there is not much that can be done with the role, but Russell definitely gave it justice none the less! He was very funny and had a great comedic timing. He is very youthful and plays Dillamond almost like a student teacher, it was a fresh take which I enjoyed!
Overall, I very much enjoyed my trip to London to see Wicked and am very grateful that I saw such strong performances from such a versatile cast, filled with many of the greats! Rachel and Suzie really exceeded my expectations and I can see why both have played their respective roles for so long! Unfortunately I won't be able to see Rachel again, but I hope to be back to see Suzie again during the summer
Thank you very much for reading this review! I hope to do more for future Wicked trips!
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Post by shady23 on Nov 5, 2016 12:55:14 GMT
Found this thread on the second page. Sacrilidge.
Rachel's holiday dates are out. She is off on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 15th, 16th and 17th December.
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Post by Michael on Nov 5, 2016 14:02:13 GMT
Found this thread on the second page. Sacrilidge. You know, I could make it a sticky thread... Rachel's holiday dates are out. She is off on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 15th, 16th and 17th December. Guess who happens to be in London from the 2nd to to 4th December and still has a free slot for the Saturday Matinee |
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Post by Paul on Nov 5, 2016 18:39:32 GMT
Going to see this again this Wednesday evening. I haven't seen this since Jennifer DiNoia's last performance so I am actually looking forward to it. Hoping Rachel will be on.
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Post by Dawnstar on Nov 5, 2016 22:24:50 GMT
Found this thread on the second page. Sacrilidge. Rachel's holiday dates are out. She is off on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 15th, 16th and 17th December. I was thinking of going 16th December anyway for my personal 10th anniversary of first seeing Wicked so that fits nicely. |
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I've been dying to witness the "nose" riff live!
