Review 2018 Wicked Tour…
OK, this one is quick and simple. WICKED UK TOUR 2018 is:
* THE BEST TOURING PRODUCTION IN BRITISH HISTORY
* THE BEST MUSICAL CAST IN TOURING HISTORY
* THE BEST LIGHTING, COSTUMES & SET IN TOURING HISTORY
Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz – is a stunning, moving, hysterical and seamlessly produced three hour musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.
Starring Amy Ross & Helen Woolf as Elphaba & Glinda respectively, their voices are remarkable and are collectively as strong as any leading ladies in the West End or on Broadway – past or present.
You cannot fail to be impressed by their pure tenacity, dedication, discipline and talent to pull off one of the biggest sings in live theatre.
Don’t miss WICKED in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Dublin, Sunderland, Southampton, Cardiff and Manchester through Jan 2019.
Get full tour dates & BOOK WICKED TICKETS HERE!
So, what is all the fuss about WICKED? We went backstage to meet Amy & Helen:
Not only is this still a timeless musical, but its undertones of acceptance, colour, class & culture scream louder than ever.
Aside from the ‘message’, it is also a beautifully decadent show on par with Broadway and the West End in quality and scale offering absolute value for money from start to finish – with no expense spared.
The 2018 touring cast features Amy Ross (Elphaba), Helen Woolf (Glinda), Steven Pinder (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond), Kim Ismay (Madame Morrible), Emily Shaw (Nessarose), Iddon Jones (Boq) and Nikki Bentley (Standby for Elphaba).
They will join the previously announced Aaron Sidwell (Fiyero)…
There’s no question the UK Tour of WICKED is better than the West End production simply because the Apollo Victoria is so vacuous. You can without question hear every word, sound, note & instrument and see everything much better on tour.
It’s almost unbelievable to think a touring production could, in many ways, upstage the values of most resident West End productions – this has on every level!
Wicked is based on the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, a parallel novel of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.
Enjoy our HD Video review via YouTube:
The key to this show’s success is the music. Schwartz has done a remarkable job making every note count. The songs are undobtedly iconic…and so loved.
The songs are beautifully written, moving, memorable & hugely melodic.
Amy Ross sings her heart out and nails the unbelievably treacherous ‘Defying Gravity’, ‘No Good Deed’ & ‘I’m Not That Girl’ – sensational. Her tenderness & insecurity matched with ultimate strength & conviction, was perfectly acted.
Meanwhile Helen Woolf is simply divine as the stunning Gar-linda. She was born to play this enchanting role. A beautiful performance.
WICKED ticks all boxes for all ages. It feels so modern yet respects, alludes to and gives great nods to the hugely successful musicals of the past.
Enjoy an EXCLUSIVE in-depth interview with WICKED creator Stephen Schwartz:
The sets and costumes are sensational on tour and the stars in this show leave you speechless with their breath-taking talent and energy.
I have certainly not seen another show on the road with a bigger budget, more perfect lighting, decadent costumes or complicated set.
Aaron Sidwell plays the ‘nice bit of trouser’ Fiyero. He adds a rare and welcomed pathos to the role. Instead of playing it as a throwaway stud, Sidwell offers a more torn and tortured performance making the whole show much more real and believable. A terrific voice too. The chemistry of Sidwell, Ross & Woolf is thrilling theatre.
Enjoy an exclusive interview with Amy Ross & Helen Woolf – Elphaba & Glinda:
Not only is this show visually brilliant with incredibly elaborate sets, as good as Broadway, but the sound is perfect and the lighting is divine.
Nothing is overlooked, cut or done with half measures. The brand of ‘WICKED’ is only enhanced by this marvellous touring show.
The orchestra have never sounded better. Schwartz’ incredibly complicated score has never been better played or broadcast from the pit.
Enjoy and exclusive interview with Kim Ismay – a remarkable Madame Morrible:
Currently the 15th longest running show in the West End theatre history – WICKED has been seen by over 53 million people in 16 countries, and won over 100 major awards.
It is hard to believe this show won’t play forever. It’s timeless.
Congrats to Kim Ismay raises the bar with Morrible. A fresh & compelling performance of her quite despicable character.
Nods also to Emily Shaw, Iddon Jones and Steven Pinder who do the show proud.
Enjoy an exclusive interview with Aaron Sidwell via YouTube:
WICKED is an utter triumph on every level and should be the bar that all other shows try to achieve when taking their shows on the road!
Review by Alex Belfield for Celebrity Radio 22nd Feb 2018
