I went to see…Wicked

Don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before, but I absolutely adore musicals!

Be it in films or plays, I love the rich tapestry that a musical atmosphere provides, its potential to add warmth and depth of emotion to a story.

Mind you it has to make sense, and not just be some nonsensical presentation where the actors break into song for the sheer hell of massaging its producer’s ego.

It should enhance the story, no, tell it, much in the same way that good writing helps the reader picture a scene or imagine a character without necessarily describing them in minute detail.

And that’s why I went to see Wicked.

I had heard that the singing was phenomenal and so, on a fine summer evening, I went along with a friend to see for myself…

…and I was not disappointed! Wicked is based on the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, and tells the story behind Elphaba, the wicked witch of the west from The Wizard of Oz.

Lovers of that classic movie starring Judy Garland will remember the role she played in thwarting Dorothy’s attempts to get home. Wicked acts a prelude to that plot, explaining how Elphaba came to be bitter and evil while shedding light on the dynamics of her relationship with the good witch, Glinda.

Unfortunately, I didn’t find out the names of the actresses who played the lead roles. And more’s the pity, because they deserve special mention.

The actress who played Elphaba (at least I’m fairly sure it wasn’t Idina Menzel, who starred in the original Broadway version; could have been Kerry Ellis) was simply amazing! Her outstanding voice was rich and resonating, and it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end! Together with Glinda, she harmonised to perfection on their duets, leaving me humming the tunes for days.

I always feel that a trip to the theatre should leave one mostly exhilirated, with a sensation of walking on air, and I certainly felt like that after this show! If you fancy a musical extravaganza and share my nostalgia for the Judy Garland film – which I must have seen 100 times! – Wicked is currently booking till September 2009.

http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/