Acting as a host to Martin Ball’s Wicked Diary, lastminute.com has seen his blog reach the eyes of thousands of people all over the world. From the back streets of Acton to the wilds of Australia, a community of Wicked fans has been flourishing in the realm of cyberspace, brought together by their love of the show. But what is it that makes Wicked so desirable?
It’s being billed as the untold story of the witches of Oz and focuses on a time pre-Dorothy, when two very different girls, Glinda and Elphaba, become friends. One oozes goodness and innocence from every pore, while the other was born green and possesses a talent for magic that knows no boundaries. Naturally, she turns "bad" and, as with every good story, there’s a man at the heart of it. A rather sexy one at that – enter Adam Garcia as Fiyero, best known for his lead in Saturday Night Fever.
Perhaps Wicked’s popularity has something to do with the fact that the film The Wizard of Oz is a story many of us hold close to our hearts. Even the most hardcore musical hater can’t fail to be intrigued as to what could have possibly happened before the precocious little girl and her puppy wandered in from Kansas, whinging about her black and white home.
Perhaps it’s the music; the kind of score that tugs at every heartstring before making you snort your wine back out through your nose with laughter. You’ll crease during ‘Popular’, when Glinda’s giving Elphaba a makeover, and bawl during ‘For Good’, when the unlikely friends realise they have to go their separate ways.
It could quite possibly be the cast in their exceptional, quirky costumes. You really get a colourful taste of what it must be like to live over the rainbow and the continuous nods at the film will leave you smiling. For example, the stripy stockings Nessa wears before ‘that unfortunate incident’ and the cocktail that’s served before the dialogue, “limes and apples and pears, oh my!” These and more serve as tiny but special reminders that we're witnessing the work of a protective force, who've strived to ensure the original legend of Oz doesn't get lost in the razzle and dazzle. In fact, the show will probably make you want to dig out the movie that inspired a hundred fantastical imaginings when you were a kid. Perhaps the magic you used to believe in never really died? Perhaps it just comes in a hundred, slightly more achievable forms, as you grow up.
For example, Dorothy was a lost little girl, looking to find her way home. In the end she found her true 
courageous self instead, and home was never quite the same again. In Wicked, Elphaba, a champion of the underdog and fatefully misunderstood, realises the only way she can ever really be happy, is to say "screw what everyone else thinks" and as a result, the land of Oz is changed forever. It must be a magical feeling indeed, to be totally satisfied with who you are, (aaaw, sniff)
The main star is reason alone to book this ticket. It's hard not to gape in awe at the award-winning Idina Menzel, belting out the number ‘Defying Gravity’ with such force it’s a wonder she doesn’t actually take off, with or without a broomstick. London’s lucky to have her in the opening period. After drawing in the masses in New York Idina’s living proof of the kind of talent all London musicals need to get on board in order to match Broadway’s stunning standards. Wicked is probably one of the most vocally challenging shows out there. You’ll come away humming the songs but chances are, if you try and belt them out the way they do on stage, you won’t be able to. Even if you happen to be a fantastic singer. Just another sign of the quality, talent and professionalism needed (and discovered, luckily) to pull it off.
Watch Wicked with a good glass of wine and a packet of hankies, and prepare to be spellbound. It’s a magical masterpiece of musical theatre that’s bound to sell out every performance and close to a standing ovation, as it has done every night since the previews started. Believe the hype. Wicked is truly Wicked. By Becky Wicks
omg i gust got bak from the west end i went to see wicked it is a mazing
Posted by: stephanie alexander | 22/10/2007 at 03:38 PM
i've seen wicked 5 tyms, sitting in the front row of the stalls 3 tyms, and yeah you do have to look up a little bit but it's still amazing. the best seats are in the middle of the stalls so you can see the dragon that sits above the stage fully, along with the astounding sets and nifty gadgets such as glinda's bubble etc.
Kerry Ellis steals the show every tym with her amazing powerful voice and she should never leave the cast because she plays the role of Elphaba to perfection!
Posted by: reissy | 04/12/2007 at 03:27 PM