240 posts
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Post by wicked on May 11, 2016 16:04:02 GMT
Any idea who will be standby and understudies for Glinda? No standby listed- I assume they're doing the same as the UK & Ireland tour with just an Elphie standby and then just more Glinda understudies in the company.
but, by process of elimination & a bit of guesswork-
removed all males, leads, confirmed Elphie/MM understudies, and previous company members who didn't understudy (admittedly this may have changed).
Emily Shaw (Nessa lead)
Samantha Brown
Hannah Cade
Elizabeth Futter
Amy Goodwin
Sara Morley
Emily Olive Boyd
would be able to guess a bit more if they put up ensemble bio's on the website but I'd guess that there will be 3 understudies from these 7 ladies. Possible also that Emily Shaw is one of them, considering Carina (lead Nessa) was the "standby" Glinda for the UK tour.
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240 posts
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Post by wicked on May 11, 2016 16:04:51 GMT
Any idea who will be standby and understudies for Glinda? On the last tour there was no official Standby - Carina Gillespie (Nessarose) was the 1st cover Glinda and acted as the standby would, i.e. going on for Glinda whenever the lead was off! Emily Shaw is Nessarose on the new tour - I saw her as Princess Jasmine in Qdos' Aladdin at Christmas and she has got a good voice, but didn't sing anything that would show if she could/couldn't sing Glinda. I would expect that the Nessa track will cover Glinda again, but it's certainly no guarantee - time will tell! EDIT: Elizabeth Futter is 1st cover Glinda oops there we go!! Excited at the prospects of 4 completely new Glindas! |
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Post by welsh_tenor on May 11, 2016 16:48:17 GMT
I'm pretty excited by this casting.
New Glinda (lead & u/s), Nessa, Fiero, Boq & standby Elphie.
Lots of new ensemble members as well as some returning which gives the show some stability!
Totally excited about Jackie Hughes getting lead though. Jackie won the popular vote in the West End Frame U/S award and was a stalwart during the last stint of the tour - and she's got a hell of a belt, pinned to the back of my seat in Salford I was lol!
Bring on Bradford... I've got the last three shows planned over the Saturday/Sunday so hope to catch a Jodie Steele show then too!
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5,059 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on May 11, 2016 17:27:15 GMT
Has Wicked played the Netherlands as yet? Yeah, there was a Dutch production with Willemijn Verkaik as Elphaba Thanks, forgot that one. |
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Post by Michael on May 11, 2016 17:33:06 GMT
I'm pretty excited by this casting. ... and I am really disappointed. Way too much recycling of former cast members for my liking. Ensemble, Stephen Pinder, who wasn't that good as Wizard/Dillamond and, mostly, because of Jackie Hughes. I know, you're a big fan of her, but I found her Elphaba only average, and I had really hoped for someone who hasn't played the part before. And I'm still mad at her that, only because of her, I didn't get to see a proper muck-up Matinee in Salford. Carly Anderson is the only gleam of hope in this cast, but I'll definitely not be flying to Singapore for this cast, which I had so done for a better cast. |
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Post by welsh_tenor on May 11, 2016 17:39:00 GMT
I'm pretty excited by this casting. ... and I am really disappointed. Way too much recycling of former cast members for my liking. Ensemble, Stephen Pinder, who wasn't that good as Wizard/Dillamond and, mostly, because of Jackie Hughes. I know, you're a big fan of her, but I found her Elphaba only average, and I had really hoped for someone who hasn't played the part before. And I'm still mad at her that, only because of her, I didn't get to see a proper muck-up Matinee in Salford. Carly Anderson is the only gleam of hope in this cast, but I'll definitely not be flying to Singapore for this cast, which I had so done for a better cast. Ah I didn't realise you were there - me too! Yes agree it wasn't *that* much of a muck-up, but the ensemble boys dancing in their pants was a particular highlight haha! I still think though (back on topic!) that Jackie is a great Elphie, definitely in my top three. Great acting I really saw the journey Elphie takes throughout the story and a lovely voice with a massive belt when it counts! Strongest u/s we've had being bumped up and well deserved IMHO! |
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Post by daniel on May 11, 2016 17:41:02 GMT
I'm pretty excited by this casting. [...]And I'm still mad at her that, only because of her, I didn't get to see a proper muck-up Matinee in Salford.[...] Just purely out of interest Michael, how come that it was down to her that you didn't see a muck-up matinee? I think, overall, I am happy with the casting. I wasn't the biggest fan of Jackie's Elphaba (just to clarify, I think she's brilliant in general, she was wonderful in Mary Poppins. I saw her Elphie on a Monday night in Salford after she'd done a Sunday night concert in Scotland I think had been green most of the week before, so there was every chance she was exhausted - neither Zoe or Natasha were on either so I think it may have been Jackie or nobody!). I did really want a fully new cast, but I think we've done okay overall. Having some previous cast members in the ensemble should help to keep it all nice and tight right from the first performance. Looking forward to seeing it in Bradford, will go in open-minded re Jackie and genuinely hope I enjoy her portrayal more this time around! |
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Post by Michael on May 11, 2016 17:50:30 GMT
Ah I didn't realise you were there - me too! Yes agree it wasn't *that* much of a muck-up, but the ensemble boys dancing in their pants was a particular highlight haha! You really think I'd be missing out on seeing the last three shows of the tour? I still think though (back on topic!) that Jackie is a great Elphie, definitely in my top three. Great acting I really saw the journey Elphie takes throughout the story and a lovely voice with a massive belt when it counts! I just wasn't wowed by her and hugely prefered an ill-health Ashleigh. Strongest u/s we've had being bumped up and well deserved IMHO! Well, I disagree. Strongest u/s to be bumped up all the way from understudy to standby and eventual lead is still Ashleigh Gray. |
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Post by Michael on May 11, 2016 17:56:11 GMT
[...]And I'm still mad at her that, only because of her, I didn't get to see a proper muck-up Matinee in Salford.[...] Just purely out of interest Michael, how come that it was down to her that you didn't see a muck-up matinee? Ashleigh was still suffering from vocal problems and only did the Friday and Saturday Evening show, so Jackie went on for the muck-up Matinee. However, because it was supposedly her last-ever time going green, she banned everyone from doing any muck-ups, as she wanted to enjoy this show and didn't want to be bothered by any muck-ups. There were a few minor muck-ups that didn't include her, and I think one with her (weren't the glasses in the box in One Short Day pink and heart shaped?) which she clearly didn't like. |
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Post by welsh_tenor on May 11, 2016 18:01:20 GMT
Just purely out of interest Michael, how come that it was down to her that you didn't see a muck-up matinee? Ashleigh was still suffering from vocal problems and only did the Friday and Saturday Evening show, so Jackie went on for the muck-up Matinee. However, because it was supposedly her last-ever time going green, she banned everyone from doing any muck-ups, as she wanted to enjoy this show and didn't want to be bothered by any muck-ups. There were a few minor muck-ups that didn't include her, and I think one with her (weren't the glasses in the box in One Short Day pink and heart shaped?) which she clearly didn't like. Yeah that's the only one they did that impacted on her that I can recall! Few others like just one ensemble member pushing Nessa across the stage in The Wizard and I instead of the bigger group of them but that didn't impact Jackie.... |
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Post by Michael on May 11, 2016 18:10:07 GMT
Ashleigh was still suffering from vocal problems and only did the Friday and Saturday Evening show, so Jackie went on for the muck-up Matinee. However, because it was supposedly her last-ever time going green, she banned everyone from doing any muck-ups, as she wanted to enjoy this show and didn't want to be bothered by any muck-ups. There were a few minor muck-ups that didn't include her, and I think one with her (weren't the glasses in the box in One Short Day pink and heart shaped?) which she clearly didn't like. Yeah that's the only one they did that impacted on her that I can recall! Few others like just one ensemble member pushing Nessa across the stage in The Wizard and I instead of the bigger group of them but that didn't impact Jackie.... If WOS/Theatermania hadn't shut down the old board, I could look it up as I'm pretty sure that I did post the muck-ups back then. |
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2016 18:21:13 GMT
Personally I am thrilled about the casting! Jackie is such an amazing Elphaba, the girl has pipes and she sings the score with such ease, her high F is divine and her closing day "Fiyero" riff on the UK and Ireland tour was to die for! I am also so thrilled for the return of Steven Pinder, he is such a brilliant Wizard, I have seen him 10 times thus far so another 5 shows won't hurt at all. He is the only Wizard I have seen to make "Wonderful" any bit enjoyable from the Wizard's effort, so with him being paired alongside Jackie it should be quite a treat for myself. Regarding the rest of the cast, I am only familiar with Carly due to her name being brought up here before, I've heard great things about her, as well as the other cast members so I am honestly so so excited to see this cast. I am bouncing in anticipation to see Jackie's professional pictures as Elphaba, it's a pity the tour didn't do a s/b slip like London, even if it were only for Elphaba I'd have been pleased! Also, regarding the issue of being disappointed due to "recycling old cast", at the end of the day it's only two cast members, and ones that both received acclaim in reviews I have seen of them, and the majority of people I talked to both in Liverpool and Salford adored Jackie's Elphaba, as well as Steven's Wizard/Dillamond. The remained of the leading cast is new, as well a good portion of the ensemble so I am personally quite glad to be seeing loads of new cast members come August. I remember when the link the UK Tour site was found with all the Year 2 cast names still intact and people were speculating that the entire Year 2 cast would be renewed for the International Tour, not a whole many people objected to this, whereas despite my love for that cast, it was time a few new faces, also Ashleigh would not have been physically capable to tour anymore after the number the UK and Ireland tour did on her voice. Hopefully, everyone here going to see this cast will keep an open mind in regards to all cast members and just try to enjoy the show. For any of you there in the final week, pop over and say hello to myself!  |
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Post by Michael on May 11, 2016 18:29:59 GMT
I am also so thrilled for the return of Steven Pinder, he is such a brilliant Wizard, I have seen him 10 times thus far so another 5 shows won't hurt at all. He is the only Wizard I have seen to make "Wonderful" any bit enjoyable from the Wizard's effort, so with him being paired alongside Jackie it should be quite a treat for myself. You never seen Clive Carter? He was by far the best Wizard, and he's the only old cast member that I'd be thrilled to see return. For any of you there in the final week, pop over and say hello to myself! I'm booked for all three weekend shows on the first weekend in August. |
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2016 19:05:32 GMT
I am a relatively new member of the Wicked fandom Michael, quite literally only first seeing the show in the last week of 2013! I have seen 13 shows on the UK and Ireland Tour and 2 in London, so unfortunately I have missed many amazing cast members!
P.S. The International tour site has been updated with both the leading cast and ensemble, although the ensemble pages aren't interactive yet!
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2016 20:13:46 GMT
I am also so thrilled for the return of Steven Pinder, he is such a brilliant Wizard, I have seen him 10 times thus far so another 5 shows won't hurt at all. He is the only Wizard I have seen to make "Wonderful" any bit enjoyable from the Wizard's effort, so with him being paired alongside Jackie it should be quite a treat for myself. You never seen Clive Carter? He was by far the best Wizard, and he's the only old cast member that I'd be thrilled to see return. I never saw Clive, but I thought Tom McGowan was amazing as the Wizard |
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Post by tsxmitw on May 11, 2016 20:49:32 GMT
Is it too much to ask for a totally new Elphaba?
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Post by Michael on May 11, 2016 21:05:17 GMT
Is it too much to ask for a totally new Elphaba? Apparently, yes. I've posted several names for possible Elphabas in the other Wicked thread*) as a wish list for the London production. None of them has played Elphaba before, and all of them would have been a great choice. And yet they fetch someone back who has played the part before. Disappointing. *) theatreboard.com/post/23908/thread/5 |
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Post by tsxmitw on May 11, 2016 21:11:06 GMT
Is it too much to ask for a totally new Elphaba? Apparently, yes. I've posted several names for possible Elphabas in the other Wicked thread*) as a wish list for the London production. None of them has played Elphaba before, and all of them would have been a great choice. And yet they fetch someone back who has played the part before. Disappointing. *) theatreboard.com/post/23908/thread/5Jackie Hughes is a fantastic singer and I am happy for her, but it would be ten times better if the cast was entirely new. |
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Post by ShoesForRent on May 11, 2016 21:25:30 GMT
Here's hoping for a fresh Elphie in London come September- fingers crossed...
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Post by isabel on May 12, 2016 6:02:39 GMT
People can't really be shocked they recycled Elphaba, can they ?! The Producers are known for boring choices
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2016 6:31:04 GMT
I would just like to point out a few small details to people. One I would like to discuss is the fact that one this tour leaves Bradford, it will be heading to Asia! Now, I am sure if a tour is heading to Asia they would like more of a guarantee that there won't be casting issues that could lead to there potentially being an Elphaba shortage, which happened in Year two of the UK and Ireland tour, and more than once. It is a bit more difficult to put an Elphaba into a production on an emergency basis when the tour is on another continent, so I knew for a fact that they'd be recycling Elphaba for the sake of avoiding casting issues, and I am chuffed it's Jackie. She finally gets a position deserving of her talent and commitment, like any other job, you put your time in, you work hard and show consistency, you might get a promotion, and Jackie has put in the time and worked hard, it's her time to be in the limelight and I am so proud of her. This also ties in to all the comments I have seen above in this forum regarding how bad a casting this has been. To this, I am confused! Aside from lead Elphaba and The Wizard/Dillamond we get an entirely fresh faced cast, and those brought back (Jackie and Steven) are both amazing performers and were highlights of the year two cast for me. I am a bit disappointed with everyone's negative reaction to this cast, especially since a majority are new, I feel like some are taking a pessimistic stance on the matter just for the sake of it. Try to keep positive about this casting guys, and if you see the production and it's truly that bad, I will listen to all your reviews about it |
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Post by danb on May 12, 2016 6:40:47 GMT
To be fair, I think that the reaction is more to the perceived laziness of the production team than to the cast itself in this case. Ms Hughes was universally praised during her previous tenure, and there were calls for her to be installed in London, so I suspect this is the case.
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Post by welsh_tenor on May 12, 2016 7:41:56 GMT
I would just like to point out a few small details to people. One I would like to discuss is the fact that one this tour leaves Bradford, it will be heading to Asia! Now, I am sure if a tour is heading to Asia they would like more of a guarantee that there won't be casting issues that could lead to there potentially being an Elphaba shortage, which happened in Year two of the UK and Ireland tour, and more than once. It is a bit more difficult to put an Elphaba into a production on an emergency basis when the tour is on another continent, so I knew for a fact that they'd be recycling Elphaba for the sake of avoiding casting issues, and I am chuffed it's Jackie. She finally gets a position deserving of her talent and commitment, like any other job, you put your time in, you work hard and show consistency, you might get a promotion, and Jackie has put in the time and worked hard, it's her time to be in the limelight and I am so proud of her. I totally agree with this! Aside from my own personal view about Jackie being an amazing Elphaba, with the show being overseas/visas needing to be held to work in the country etc, if there's an issue with a cast member you can't just have someone from London drive up the M1 like we did last year to provide emergency cover. The producers have gone for stability with a tried & tested Elphie, yes of course you can never tell if the tour will take its toll like it did with the previous leads, but at least they know they've got someone who has proven she can lead that role and with Zoe and Natasha back too as u/s and a brand new Standby the show should be in safe hands - with all other main parts (Wizard aside) being new to role! |
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2016 7:54:25 GMT
I would just like to point out a few small details to people. One I would like to discuss is the fact that one this tour leaves Bradford, it will be heading to Asia! Now, I am sure if a tour is heading to Asia they would like more of a guarantee that there won't be casting issues that could lead to there potentially being an Elphaba shortage, which happened in Year two of the UK and Ireland tour, and more than once. It is a bit more difficult to put an Elphaba into a production on an emergency basis when the tour is on another continent, so I knew for a fact that they'd be recycling Elphaba for the sake of avoiding casting issues, and I am chuffed it's Jackie. She finally gets a position deserving of her talent and commitment, like any other job, you put your time in, you work hard and show consistency, you might get a promotion, and Jackie has put in the time and worked hard, it's her time to be in the limelight and I am so proud of her. This also ties in to all the comments I have seen above in this forum regarding how bad a casting this has been. To this, I am confused! Aside from lead Elphaba and The Wizard/Dillamond we get an entirely fresh faced cast, and those brought back (Jackie and Steven) are both amazing performers and were highlights of the year two cast for me. I am a bit disappointed with everyone's negative reaction to this cast, especially since a majority are new, I feel like some are taking a pessimistic stance on the matter just for the sake of it. Try to keep positive about this casting guys, and if you see the production and it's truly that bad, I will listen to all your reviews about it My point exactly. They need someone who they know can play the role a lot for such an exhausting production. Also, I can't see why some people on this forum don't like the cast. I think it's a brilliant cast. Having just 2 principles in it who played the role before is not a lot. And the ones they did recycle were very popular last rime round. Jackie deserves this promotion. The reactions on twitter were almost all very positive. |
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2016 7:56:04 GMT
I totally agree with this! Aside from my own personal view about Jackie being an amazing Elphaba, with the show being overseas/visas needing to be held to work in the country etc, if there's an issue with a cast member you can't just have someone from London drive up the M1 like we did last year to provide emergency cover. The producers have gone for stability with a tried & tested Elphie, yes of course you can never tell if the tour will take its toll like it did with the previous leads, but at least they know they've got someone who has proven she can lead that role and with Zoe and Natasha back too as u/s and a brand new Standby the show should be in safe hands - with all other main parts (Wizard aside) being new to role! Who was it that provided emergency cover last year? Did they send in one of the understudies or the standby? |
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