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Post by toomasj on Dec 30, 2023 17:16:24 GMT
You’d be hard pressed to workout that she’s actually supposed to be flying from the lame “special effect” and the fact that she’s waving the broom around in one hand. Just sit on it dear, help the audience out. We’re not mind readers. Always been astonished by this. I understand not needing to signpost everything for an audience but the image of the Wicked Witch of the West on her broomstick is pretty iconic - as are witches riding brooms in general. It’s a strange one. There’s a sort of charmingly dated aesthetic to it in how rubbish it is. Chitty flew a car which looked a million times better long before Wicked opened. Since then we’ve had spectacular effects (see Back to the Future - astonishing work). The effect is surpassed by the average high budget pantomime flying nowadays. It’s all this stuff which needs a refresh. It is just very stale.
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Post by wickedestwitch on Dec 30, 2023 17:24:23 GMT
I saw this morning that wicked were nearly close to celebrating their 12 millionth ozian which is pretty cool. In terms of the fan base, to some extent I agree that some of its more maybe loyal fans they could do a small gesture that wouldn’t impact the show. Something like just a letter from a cast member, signed photo etc. could suffice as a nice gesture. I think whatever show you go to you will get more die hard fans who love a show. Theatre is often such a good escape and if those young girls are having a lovely time, enjoying their favourite show and cast then amazing! We need people to keep supporting shows or I’m worried that more shows will soon see an early closure Absolutely, and as a gateway show it is a good thing to get young people involved in theatre. I think that excitement in an audience is important, but there is a line and at Wicked in particular it was so regularly crossed that I would’ve been happy to never see another screaming fan girl in my life. They ruined a couple of performances for me with their antics. But I really don’t think we can blame unreceptive audiences for Wicked West End’s current problems. The producers have gotten really lazy and are just happy to sit and take the profits without any of the effort of keeping the show fresh. A poster above noted the rigidity that I commented on in my long post above. Walking to their spike, saying their line robotically, walking to the next mark etc. There is just no dynamism, excitement or originality in anything anyone does in the show in the last decade or so. It’s a “machine” of the worst kind at this stage. I wonder if the director has taken a rehearsal or given any notes since the 2010’s. I very much doubt it. Oh gosh, what were the screaming fan girls doing if you don’t mind my asking? Just screaming?
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Post by jaybird89 on Dec 30, 2023 17:42:28 GMT
You’d be hard pressed to workout that she’s actually supposed to be flying from the lame “special effect” and the fact that she’s waving the broom around in one hand. Just sit on it dear, help the audience out. We’re not mind readers. Always been astonished by this. I understand not needing to signpost everything for an audience but the image of the Wicked Witch of the West on her broomstick is pretty iconic - as are witches riding brooms in general. It’s a strange one. There’s a sort of charmingly dated aesthetic to it in how rubbish it is. Chitty flew a car which looked a million times better long before Wicked opened. Since then we’ve had spectacular effects (see Back to the Future - astonishing work). The effect is surpassed by the average high budget pantomime flying nowadays. It’s all this stuff which needs a refresh. It is just very stale. See it's funny I still find the flight really magical and I've seen it a lot now I do have a bit of a personal love for wicked so perhaps I do see some of it through rose tinted glasses but I always think the flight just works I don't think everything needs updating however I will agree that although I still get moved by parts of the show after having seen the show on Broadway this October there is a huge energy difference and I can only imagine it's coming from the top it would be interesting to see if some of the creatives came over to just add some spark into the show again as even though I love it I do feel there are parts which feel very on mark now stand here now do this. I think someone mentioned earlier about Louise Dearman I remember being really thrown at how different she was to the other Glinda's but it really worked and I also thought she had a good balance with the comedy and the serious stuff. I still love the show and I don't think it's as terrible as some make it out to be I will However agree the sound is dreadful and to be honest unless at the very front of the stalls I just don't bother because the sound really is not great. Looking forward to the movie hopefully it may inject some life back in but I guess worrying that popularity may make it worse.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 30, 2023 18:04:16 GMT
Absolutely, and as a gateway show it is a good thing to get young people involved in theatre. I think that excitement in an audience is important, but there is a line and at Wicked in particular it was so regularly crossed that I would’ve been happy to never see another screaming fan girl in my life. They ruined a couple of performances for me with their antics. But I really don’t think we can blame unreceptive audiences for Wicked West End’s current problems. The producers have gotten really lazy and are just happy to sit and take the profits without any of the effort of keeping the show fresh. A poster above noted the rigidity that I commented on in my long post above. Walking to their spike, saying their line robotically, walking to the next mark etc. There is just no dynamism, excitement or originality in anything anyone does in the show in the last decade or so. It’s a “machine” of the worst kind at this stage. I wonder if the director has taken a rehearsal or given any notes since the 2010’s. I very much doubt it. Oh gosh, what were the screaming fan girls doing if you don’t mind my asking? Just screaming? Screaming, whilst holding a microwave and a large jar of Nutella.
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Post by andrew on Dec 30, 2023 18:19:51 GMT
The flying effect is (in my view) smoothed over by the song, the lighting and tension in the story. I don't think a lot of people walk out of act 1 feeling disappointed by how it ended, which is strange because the bear ain't wrong, it's not a great effect in 2023. I just don't think it matters too much how convincing the way they stage it is, it's exciting no matter what you do.
I don't think I'd be alone in saying that Defying Gravity is one of those moments in musical theatre that will live with me forever though, even if it could be done better with a refurb. Wicked was the first West End show I ever saw and as a young adult back when it was fresh, the whole show was dazzling, but Defying Gravity is what we talked about on the tube home. I haven't gone back since the 10th anniversary but if I did, the act 1 closer is still what I'd most be looking forward to. I've no idea how people seeing it for the first time today feel, I guess it's them you've got to appeal to not me. I don't think I'd weep if they improved it but in the same way I didn't really support re-doing Phantom just for the sake of it I don't know if I'd want them to re-do this. That's a completely different issue for me than a show being stale because of lack of direction, passion in the cast etc.
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Post by ozdustballroom on Dec 30, 2023 19:51:48 GMT
Amy Webb was on for Elphaba again this afternoon alongside Christine Tucker as Glinda.
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Post by toomasj on Dec 30, 2023 20:08:35 GMT
Absolutely, and as a gateway show it is a good thing to get young people involved in theatre. I think that excitement in an audience is important, but there is a line and at Wicked in particular it was so regularly crossed that I would’ve been happy to never see another screaming fan girl in my life. They ruined a couple of performances for me with their antics. But I really don’t think we can blame unreceptive audiences for Wicked West End’s current problems. The producers have gotten really lazy and are just happy to sit and take the profits without any of the effort of keeping the show fresh. A poster above noted the rigidity that I commented on in my long post above. Walking to their spike, saying their line robotically, walking to the next mark etc. There is just no dynamism, excitement or originality in anything anyone does in the show in the last decade or so. It’s a “machine” of the worst kind at this stage. I wonder if the director has taken a rehearsal or given any notes since the 2010’s. I very much doubt it. Oh gosh, what were the screaming fan girls doing if you don’t mind my asking? Just screaming? Screaming and whooping at every deviation from the score (riffing), which was louder than the poor sound system. Obnoxious fake laughing at every joke, loudly talking about which cast member they fancied and how they “knew” them (from the stage door). It goes on and on.
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Post by jacob on Dec 30, 2023 22:56:03 GMT
I say ‘fan base’ addressing those including myself that have been to the show multiple times over the last few years and genuinely just appreciate it.. it got me into musical theatre, helped me with bullying and really inspired me to peruse other creative talents.
And I’m certain that the microwave era of Wicked is long gone … albeit some fans still need to understand their place as an audience member. If only Wicked London did a Behind The Emerald Curtain too, auctioned off some more props like they did a few years ago for Wicked Day or hosted events like the Broadway block party for the anniversary. The annual West End anniversary press night is always just an uninspiring balloon drop! Oh well, maybe I’m just desperate.
I’ve never had an issue with DG either, the lighting design and climax of the song is enough for me. Although I’d love to have a BTTF moment, it may be tricky trying to light the ensemble too and hide any mechanics
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Post by normasturban on Dec 30, 2023 23:46:18 GMT
Comments about the direction are interesting because I must admit the last time I saw it a couple of months back, I had the same thought “Is anyone providing feedback on this? Advising the performers?”
It all feels so static. Actors hitting marks and little else. No flourish.
The show will absolutely get a huge commercial bump with the movies coming out and I’m a little surprised they didn’t use that as an opportunity to make sure this incoming year is a special one.
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Post by wickedestwitch on Dec 31, 2023 0:24:16 GMT
Oh gosh, what were the screaming fan girls doing if you don’t mind my asking? Just screaming? Screaming and whooping at every deviation from the score (riffing), which was louder than the poor sound system. Obnoxious fake laughing at every joke, loudly talking about which cast member they fancied and how they “knew” them (from the stage door). It goes on and on. Dear lord. I really never understand some people. During the summer I went to stage door to see who came out on the off chance and there was a women there (either she was just a bit crazy or drunk it was hard to tell) but she was screaming from the stage door saying “Alexia come out, your fans are all outside waiting for you”. It continued every few mins for about half hour until Alexia finally came out. She had what I assume was her son with her who must have been about 7/8 and he was most embarrassed whilst waiting patiently behind the barrier for the cast to appear. Every person that walked out that building she congratulated for being incredible in the show (including all the backstage lot). I’ve never seen anything like it
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Post by musicalfan on Dec 31, 2023 14:47:27 GMT
Christine Tucker just mentioned on her insta story that today is her 71st Glinda show - isn’t that quite a lot for the 1st cover. This is nothing against her as I have seen her as Glinda afew times and she is amazing !
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Post by normasturban on Dec 31, 2023 15:28:12 GMT
She posted that she’d done 20 shows by mid August so it is quite the leap in four months.
I assume quite a chunk of that is covering scheduled holidays.
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Post by ozdustballroom on Dec 31, 2023 16:49:06 GMT
She posted that she’d done 20 shows by mid August so it is quite the leap in four months. I assume quite a chunk of that is covering scheduled holidays. I remember seeing Lucy posted that she was on holiday for a while end of last month so it makes sense. I’ve seen Christine before and she is an amazing Glinda!
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Post by greeny11 on Jan 2, 2024 22:53:39 GMT
Just out of tonight’s show and Alexia and Lucy were both back. Alexia, in particular, was a fierce Elphaba, with an incredibly powerful voice (something that gets lost in audios). She stuck mainly to score (as I expected from her - the last Elphaba I saw was very riffy - Nikki Bentley in Liverpool), apart from a riff at the end of No Good Deed instead of her usual growl.
I really liked Lucy as Glinda, and she did get laughs at some of her line deliveries. She was vocally very solid as well.
I was expecting worse from Ryan Reid based on what I’ve read on here, though his high notes in As Long As You’re Mine were very strained. I don’t think he’s a great Fiyero, but he was fine.
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Post by wickedestwitch on Jan 7, 2024 0:11:50 GMT
Alexia was on for the matinee and Amy Webb was on this evening (6th January 2024)
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Post by ozdustballroom on Jan 7, 2024 13:29:06 GMT
Amy Webb is on for Elphaba again today
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Post by newda on Jan 7, 2024 14:14:39 GMT
Blimey, that's two shows in a row. Has she done that before?
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Post by ozdustballroom on Jan 9, 2024 18:25:19 GMT
Amy Webb is on for Elphaba again tonight (9th January 2024)
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Post by deej4life on Jan 10, 2024 12:07:12 GMT
Kate Leiper is on as Elphaba for both shows today (10th January, 2024).
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Post by ozdustballroom on Jan 11, 2024 18:00:30 GMT
Amy Webb is on for Elphaba tonight (11th January 2024)
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Post by deej4life on Feb 2, 2024 2:57:54 GMT
Kate Leiper was on as Elphaba on Tuesday and both shows Wednesday (30th - 31st January, 2024). Nicolla Espallardo was on as Elphaba last night (1st February, 2024). Surprised that Amy would be off so close to her contract finishing this March.
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Post by sb on Feb 2, 2024 9:34:53 GMT
I went to Wicked on Wednesday evening.
Kate is a wonderful Elphaba. Great vocals and her acting was perfect, she highlights the vulnerability of Elphaba really well up to meeting The Wizard, then I could see a change in her Elphaba into Defying Gravity and Act 2. Her ending pose in No Good Deed was very fierce!
It was a no fly show, I read online after Kate’s first one. She handled it with ease and gave a powerful grounded performance!
One thing that stood out to me was Ryan Reid, he seems to have improved in the role. Previously when I’ve seen him he’s struggled hitting notes in certain songs, but not on Wednesday evening. His singing was much better. I know he’s had a lot of criticism on here, but I did see a difference in his performance. Just my opinion!
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Post by ozdustballroom on Feb 3, 2024 19:29:19 GMT
Caitlin Anderson is on for Glinda for both shows today (3rd February 2024)
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Post by jay987 on Feb 5, 2024 4:25:37 GMT
How long has it been since Lisa-Anne Wood last performed?
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Post by deej4life on Feb 6, 2024 11:58:23 GMT
How long has it been since Lisa-Anne Wood last performed? October 13th was the last time she performed.
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Post by Being Alive on Feb 6, 2024 12:19:18 GMT
Is she definitely still with the production?
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Post by StageyBrum on Feb 6, 2024 15:52:09 GMT
I believe so. She’s also continuing into the next contract as standby Glinda.
There’ll obviously be a reason as to why she’s not been on for so long whether that be illness, personal circumstances etc. I suppose Christine and Caitlin are solid Glindas that they’ve not needed to bring in an additional temporary standby. I suppose any emergencies then they’ll call someone in, I saw Charli Bapti last year as an emergency cover. They’ve also got the tour cast now to pull from if necessary.
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Post by wickedestwitch on Feb 18, 2024 20:35:54 GMT
Just seen that Lisa-Anne wood has this afternoon announced her pregnancy. How exciting! What are people’s thoughts in terms of a glinda maternity cover?
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Post by musicalfan on Feb 18, 2024 23:34:38 GMT
Just seen that Lisa-Anne wood has this afternoon announced her pregnancy. How exciting! What are people’s thoughts in terms of a glinda maternity cover? I can see Christine Tucker being promoted to maternity cover standby.
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Post by Being Alive on Feb 19, 2024 14:09:25 GMT
Just seen that Lisa-Anne wood has this afternoon announced her pregnancy. How exciting! What are people’s thoughts in terms of a glinda maternity cover? I can see Christine Tucker being promoted to maternity cover standby. But they'll then need to get someone in as an ensemble cover? They'll just get an maternity cover for the standby its much more economical and easier to just replace one role than move the other around and then replace that
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