Wicked

Wicked

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Reviewed by Matt Forrest

Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It may come as quite the shock to find out that Wicked has been gracing theatres across the globe for 21 years, yes that’s right folks Wicked has the key to the door! 2024 has been a huge year for this musical theatre titan: there was of course Hollywood’s much anticipated take, with part one hitting the silver screen last month. Then there is an epic 10 venue UK tour which arrives in Manchester, its final stop for a six week run

Based on the novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, and adapted for the stage by Winnie Holzman, this tale from the land of Oz resembles a Greek tragedy more than a fantasy adventure. Beginning with the citizens of Oz celebrating the demise of The Wicked Witch of the West. Glinda the Good (Sarah O’Connor) isn’t fully invested in the celebrations, when questioned about her friendship with the tyrannical witch, we are taken on a journey to see how these two rivals go from foes, to friends, and right back to perceived enemies once more.

Before she became the Wicked Witch of the West, she was Elphaba (Laura Pick), a young woman shunned by her father and ridiculed by everyone she meets because of her green skin.  Elphaba is sent to the Shiz University, where she is a carer for her younger paraplegic half-sister Nessarose (Megan Gardiner).

Here Elphaba meets Gailnda, a popular social climber that seemingly everyone adores. The pair soon clash when they are placed as roommates. The relationship is further strained when Elphaba is picked by Madame Morrible (Donna Berlin) for one-to-one sorcery tutorials. In addition, the arrival of a playboy prince, Fiyero (Carl Man) adds to the tension, as Galinda is bowled over by his charm and striking good looks, whilst Elphaba is less than impressed by his cocky, arrogant swagger.

Despite their many differences the pair soon see that they aren’t too dissimilar, and a great friendship is forged, together they make quite a formidable team.

However, something sinister is happening to the animals of Oz, with all of them losing their voices and seemingly dark forces behind their persecution. Elphaba and Glinda (having ditched the A) are granted an audience with the great Wizard of Oz (Simeon Truby) to seek his help with this matter, but the meeting doesn’t go as planned and sets the pair on separate paths that will test their friendship to the limits.

It’s easy to see why the magic of Wicked shows no sign of fading any time soon: It’s a production dripping with quality. At its heart two fabulous central performances from Laura Pick and Sarah O’ Conner. Pick is punchy as the prickly no nonsense Elphaba, she absolutely knocks it out of the park on her solo numbers  “I’m Not That Girl” and “No Good Deed”. O’ Conner is equally impressive, in a role which not only showcases her tremendous vocal range but allows for some great comedic flourishes, as she plays the dizzy mean-girl-turned-good to perfection.

There are of course some great musical numbers from Stephen Schwartz, the best of the bunch being “Popular”, delivered impeccably by O’ Conner, and the scene-setting ensemble number “No One Mourns the Wicked”. Of course there is the now iconic “Defying Gravity” which more than delivers. The orchestration and musician arrangements are first class, delivered superbly by the orchestra, which is no mean feat as throughout the dry ice rolled into the orchestra pit. It’s an impressive visual but does make you wonder how they could see what they were doing!

The production values are of the highest order: Susan Hilferty’s costume design is fabulous, especially the steampunk themed citizen of Oz design and the terrifying flying monkey design. Eugene Lee’s stage design is epic in scale which marries perfectly with Kenneth Posner’s impressive lighting design and Tony Meola’s bold, booming sound design.

Despite a smart, witty script, there are parts where the plot seems a little contrived as it tries to cover a lot of narrative strands. In places it does seem a little bloated, but this is a minor quibble.

This is live theatre at its finest, a treat for the eyes and ears and one that will enchant audience members young and old alike. There may not be a yellow brick road leading to the palace theatre, but all roads should take you to Wicked this festive season.

Wicked is at the Palace Theatre, Manchester till 12th January 2025. Tickets available: Here

Stephen Schwartz Q&A at Hope Mill Theatre

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Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment and Joseph Houston and William Whelton of Hope Mill Theatre today announce An Evening With Stephen Schwartz, which will take place in Manchester on Sunday 17th February.

A drinks and finger buffet will begin at 6pm followed by a showcase of the multi-award winning lyricist and composer’s best loved works as well as Schwartz’s first ever UK panel discussion about his life and his work.

With a back catalogue which includes the critically acclaimed shows Wicked, Pippin and Godspell as well as contributing to the lyrics for the films Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame as well as songs from The Prince of Egypt this will be a night not to be missed!

All proceeds from ticket sales will go towards Hope Aria’s 2019 season which opens with Schwartz’s RAGS from 2nd March until 6th April.

Tickets for the Hope Mill Theatre event which include a drinks reception and buffet are priced at £45 and can be purchased here.

 

 

 

Wicked

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WICKED UK & Ireland Tour. Photo Credit Matt Crockett (2)

Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Global sensation Wicked flew into Manchester this week for the final stop on a mega UK and international tour which has travelled over 27,000 miles taking in destinations far and wide from Singapore to Switzerland. This final leg brings it back to Manchester’s Palace theatre offering audience’s one final chance to catch the smash-hit musical outside of the capital.

Based on the international best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked has now been seen by over 60 million people worldwide with an incredible 73,000 tickets being sold here in Manchester for this current production.

Wicked - The Emerald City. Photo credit Matt Crockett

Telling the untold story of the Witches of Oz before, during and after Dorothy so rudely landed on top of one of them, Maguire turns the well-known characters created by L. Frank Baum in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz upside down as we soon begin to realise there are most definitely two sides to every story. We follow the unconventional and unexpected friendship of Elphaba and Glinda who meet on their first day of University and the journey which leads them to ultimately become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda The Good.

The familiar becomes unfamiliar, as everything we thought we knew about the magical land of Oz doesn’t seem quite so clean-cut anymore, even questioning the morality of Dorothy at one point, I mean seriously though who does steal a dead woman’s shoes?

WICKED UK & Ireland Tour. Photo Credit Matt Crockett (4)

Amy Ross is truly magical as Elphaba, one of the best performers I’ve seen. She is mesmerising in the role giving a masterclass in stortytelling. Her delivery of the iconic Defying Gravity note perfect and packing a powerful punch, she convinces entirely, nailing every goose bump inducing moment to perfection.

Helen Woolf is superb as Glinda, she portrays the ditsy blonde with real heart and joyful conviction bringing light and sparkle to the piece. She is flamboyant, funny and totally fabulous, her strong characterisation and comic timing ensuring she perfectly embodies Glinda the Good.

WICKED UK & Ireland Tour. Photo Credit Matt Crockett 1

The chemistry between Ross and Woolf is a delight to watch, their friendship entirely believable. Together they are funny, fascinating and at times deeply moving, their powerful duet For Good a real stand out moment which leaves the majority of the audience reaching for the tissues.

Audience favourite Aaron Sidwell is laid-back and suave as Fiyero while the ensemble make dancing in Susan Hilferty’s exceptional costumes look impressively easy.

Wicked - Defying Gravity. Photo credit Matt Crockett

Wicked recently celebrated 15 years on Broadway and is currently one of the longest running productions on the West End and after tonight it’s easy to see why, as a show it never fails to thrill. It’s an outstanding piece of musical theatre which loses none of the wow factor of its West End counterpart. From Eugene Lee’s big, bold set to Stephen Schwartz’s sensational music and lyrics, Wicked delivers everything you could wish for from the magical land of Oz.

The standing ovations will no doubt continue night after night of the 5 week run, the pleasure this perfect production brings is difficult to rival. A spellbinding show which enchants every time.

Wicked is on at the Palace theatre until Saturday 5th January, tickets available here.

Pippin

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Pippin 1

First premiered on Broadway an incredible 45 years ago, Katy Lipson, Guy James and Hope Mill Theatre’s revival of Tony award winning Pippin shows no signs of age and is as magical and enchanting as we hoped it would be.

With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger O. Hirson, Pippin tells the tale of a young man in search of something to believe in, a path to follow, ultimately, he is in search of himself. Loosely based on ‘Pepin’ the son of 8th Century King Charlemange, Pippin sets about trying out life and all it has to offer via different careers and different directions in order to find his corner of the sky. Maeve Black’s stunning Victorian Vaudeville setting paired with stunning lighting design from Aaron J. Dootson allows the players to truly tell this tale in the most theatrical and immersive of ways, making Pippin a remarkably bold and striking production.

Pippin 3

Pippin’s search and the different paths it leads him down illustrates clearly that with all its craziness and drama the world is indeed a stage, as the players perform and indulge Pippin his desires, we realise everything we see is an act. Leading player Genevieve Nicole is a wholly commanding presence, she steers and controls her fellow players who perform beautifully on her instruction, she shines in the role and bursts with sass and dangerous charisma as she steers Pippin through his search for fulfilment.

Jonathan Carlton is brilliantly cast as Pippin, he perfectly portrays the young Prince’s naivety and frustrations, the development in his character is wonderful to see as each experience leaves its mark and changes his outlook on life. Carlton’s delivery of Corner Of The Sky is especially beautiful, full of emotion and wonderfully displays the hopelesness he feels with his inability to fit in and understand his path in life.

The whole ensemble are superb, hardworking and utterly captivating. Director Jonathan O’Boyle has created a tight and incredibly slick team who are entirely in sync with each other. William Whelton’s choreography is sharp and precise and really adds to the beauty of this special piece while musical director Zach Flis delivers the sublime score to perfection.

Pippn 2

High praise must also go to Mari Barclay who plays both Fastrada and Berthe, her characterisation is exceptional, with brilliant comic timing and larger than life delivery she excels in both roles and also as a member of the superb ensemble.

The quality and delivery of Pippin is top class, the pairing of Katy Lipson and Hope Mill Theatre is a true gift to Manchester. Engaging, captivating and entirely magical, Pippin convincingly worked its magic and enchanted completely. A real gem of a show delivered with real style and sass.

On at Hope Mill Theatre until 23rd September tickets£20, concessions £18 available via the following link http://www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk/whats-on/

Pippin