Nearly two decades after its West End debut, Wicked continues to provide a spectacular night out at the Apollo Victoria.
A proper night out
The prequel to L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz, Wicked presents the backstory for Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West; and Glinda, the Good Witch. Elphaba is born with green skin, so shunned and bullied by her school peers until headmistress Madame Morrible makes Elphaba and Glinda roommates. Cue the struggles that these two opposite and unwilling characters endure and you can probably guess the rest – they become firm friends. Elphaba, notably, being the one that instils the ‘Good’ in Glinda. The second act of the show overlaps with Dorothy’s visit to Oz, and much as you think you may know the 1939 film, this perspective on the story will seriously make you question who the wicked ones are.
As a piece of theatre it is marvellous. The production is sumptuous; steam punk in feel and dripping in detail. Costumes and sets easily justify the cost of your seat. Choreography constantly fills the expansive stage. A score that has seeped into modern culture rings out showstopper after showstopper. It is – without question – a proper night out.
There’s an unattributed saying in business that ‘Nobody ever got fired for buying IBM’. The meaning is simple; It may not be innovative, but it’s a safe bet. So if you’re the one organising a trip to the theatre for friends, family or work colleagues, you won’t be fired for buying tickets for Wicked.
