The Ongoing Wicked Discussion Thread

No, but we did get given seats in row C by atg once after missing it on tour due to bad weather/travel restrictions. I was worried that the sound would be poor but all was good.

As I mentioned earlier, I was there too this afternoon. Managed to get central front row circle seats in the Official London Theatre sale which was great. Usually I stick to the ‘cheap’ seats in the side stalls.

Was trying to keep up with cast updates all week and was expecting no Helen and Ryan, but was hoping for Lucie to be back even though I would’ve happily seen Amy as Elphaba. My luck was in!

I’ve seen Wicked quite a few times and although it wasn’t the worst performance I’ve seen, I came out feeling very flat (like many other board members have recently). The audience seemed quite quiet, which didn’t help, although the circle was 2/3 full. I thought the new cast would give a bit of energy but to me something is missing in the show that I just can’t put my finger on.

The sound continues to be an issue and the music is nowhere near as punchy and loud as I remember it being in the past. The sound in the circle was not as clear as it has been in the stalls on previous visits, and I didn’t get any chills or ‘wow’ moments like I have before.

Lucie was a solid Elphaba. I don’t know the ins and outs of why she was off earlier in the week, but she did a good job. Her belt is very clear and she sang pretty much to score - NGD was a particular highlight. I did feel she lacked a bit of ‘oomph’ and power from an acting perspective e.g. when casting the spell on the class in the lion cub scene, but I think she’ll grow and get to know the character even more over time.

I’ve not seen Charli’s Glinda before and she was good! Not my favourite but not the worst either. She was very British and had a deeper speaking voice than other more squeaky and excitable Glindas. She got a few laughs in Popular although she didn’t do anything particularly unique or memorable. Singing voice was beautiful!

The remaining cast were solid, too, I felt. Grace Chapman acted the hell out of Nessarose and I really felt for the character - her facial expressions and arm movements were very believable. Good voice too! Michael was a very prim and proper Fiyero and I enjoyed his performance although again there was nothing particularly unique about how he played the part. Personally, I liked Rhidian as the Wizard and I’m unsure what the previous poster’s comment means. Considering he was playing two parts, he did a good job with a believable accent and good interaction with Lucie and Sophie, in particular. Sophie was one of the best Morribles I’ve seen - she’s made for the part.

I will probably not return to Wicked for a little while now, but am intrigued to see how Lucie and the remaining cast grow. I’m also intrigued to see Ryan and Gary after reading other comments on here.

As much as it pains me to say it, I feel that Wicked is running its course and I’m afraid for its future. I’m hoping that whatever the missing link is can be fixed, because it’s not the first time recently I’ve left the AV feeling a bit disappointed.

I really don’t understand why a major, long established show in London still gets complaints about sound. Seriously, isn’t it THE most basic requirement that if you pay your money to see this, you can actually hear it? Its been a cause of complaints for years now although I don’t recall it being a problem when I saw Kerry from the side stalls back in the day so wtf is the problem now?

I should mention that I overheard a couple behind me in the interval say "Can you hear it? I can hardly hear what they're saying". They were second row!

It's never been much of a problem in the stalls (I've never had much of an issue with the side stalls either) it's a major issue in the circle and I suspect stems from it originally being a cinema rather than a theatre and that it is just a barn. So not a huge amount that could potentially be done. I would never pay to sit in the Circle at the AV or the Dominion (though the front of the circle at the latter isn't half as bad).

I don't think people need to be too worried about Wicked closing - given it recouped years ago all it needs to do is cover running costs and ATG are probably giving it a good deal seeing as no show with any sense would want a theatre of the size and in the location of the AV.

Couple more thoughts - Maria Coyne posted she is standing by at the AV - Samantha Thomas wasn't in the ensemble today so seems Charli is the only current Glinda available.

There was an awful lot of noise coming from the wings today, banging and clashing and sounds of set pieces moving. At one point it sounded like they were trying to yank something free. Quite distracting!

They had all that time off and did nothing. I mean,I know the POTO changes weren’t popular (🙂) but at least they did something in the covid break. Wicked did nothing. Lazy lazy lazy. 

Michael Colbourne, who was on as Fiyero yesterday has tested positive for covid today. If Lucie doesn't catch it from them all I'm seriously impressed!

I have lost track slightly but I think Fergus the other Fiyero u/s also posted that he tested positive.

Presumably they'll be calling up old cast members for tomorrow's show!

Meaning what exactly ?

What a shame for them all.

Just confirmed via Laura Pick on Instagram.

Rebecca Botterill is returning to play the role of Elphaba tonight, Samantha Thomas is returning to play the role of Glinda tonight and Carl Man is returning to play the role of Fiyero tonight (8th February, 2022).

I believe this is the first time that all three lead roles have been played by emergency covers from outside the existing cast all in one show!

Edit: Carl Man confirmed he will be on as Fiyero all week, so potentially we will see additional cover performances this week for Elphaba and Glinda.

I thought Samantha was still in the company.