Wicked is a show I've personally seen more times than I can count. Every time I see the production I notice something new and I love seeing different actors bring new dimensions to familiar characters. In the current cast, I'd already seen Alice Fearn and Bradley Jaden as Elphaba and Fiyero, albeit not together.
The last time I saw the show in London, Fearn was still the standby and, to be honest, I didn't think it was possible for her to improve on the performance she gave that day. However, improve she could and I found myself in awe for a second time at just how well she knows the character and her overall portrayal of the role. I can honestly say that out of the 7 different Elphaba's I have had the privilege of seeing, Fearn has very possibly just propelled herself to the top spot. Her Wizard and I and No Good Deed seemed effortless and there were some fantastic riffs that didn't distract from the songs at all. Fearn should be proud of the character she has managed to create; no easy task when so many have played the same role before her.
I saw Jaden's Fiyero in Bradford last year at the start of the run and loved his portrayal; since then, he has only improved and you can tell that after over a year playing the character he has now made the role his own. I particularly love his hair toss when he tells Elphaba she doesn't need to Galindafy herself.
Jaden and Fearn have great chemistry and this is particularly obvious during As Long As You're Mine; their voices blending together seamlessly. Sophie Evans plays a safe Glinda. Her voice is beautiful and clear and her version of Popular had the audience laughing in all the right places. I really liked the interaction between Evans and Jaden during Thank Goodness. The anger and frustration from Fiyero was prominent and you saw the slight regret in Glinda's eyes, yet all the while knowing she couldn't resist the popularity and social acclaim that was on offer.
Melanie La Barrie as Madame Morrible was definitely a stand out of this cast, playing the sinister side with a subtle, yet terrifying, edge. She also has excellent comedic timing and had the audience laughing with her facial expressions and on point delivery of lines throughout the show.
One of my favourite characters in the show is Boq and I loved Jack Lansbury's take on role. He has a certain boyish charm and I just wanted to give him a hug when Glinda called him Biq for the millionth time and his contempt for Fiyero could not have been made more clear.
When I have the chance to see an understudy in a role, it excites me and last night I was able to see Rosa O'Reilly as NessaRose and Russell Walker as Dr Dillamond and I was in no way disappointed. O'Reilly played NessaRose's innocence in act 1 extremely well and, although I would have liked to have seen more power during the main section of Wicked Witch of the East, I would definitely love to see her in the role again.
In my opinion, no show can be successful without the work of solid ensemble and Wicked is no exception; they were crisp, clear and worked as one.
Overall, I was extremely impressed with the whole cast and it probably won't be long before I'm back at the Apollo Victoria to see the show again!
The last time I saw the show in London, Fearn was still the standby and, to be honest, I didn't think it was possible for her to improve on the performance she gave that day. However, improve she could and I found myself in awe for a second time at just how well she knows the character and her overall portrayal of the role. I can honestly say that out of the 7 different Elphaba's I have had the privilege of seeing, Fearn has very possibly just propelled herself to the top spot. Her Wizard and I and No Good Deed seemed effortless and there were some fantastic riffs that didn't distract from the songs at all. Fearn should be proud of the character she has managed to create; no easy task when so many have played the same role before her.
I saw Jaden's Fiyero in Bradford last year at the start of the run and loved his portrayal; since then, he has only improved and you can tell that after over a year playing the character he has now made the role his own. I particularly love his hair toss when he tells Elphaba she doesn't need to Galindafy herself.
Jaden and Fearn have great chemistry and this is particularly obvious during As Long As You're Mine; their voices blending together seamlessly. Sophie Evans plays a safe Glinda. Her voice is beautiful and clear and her version of Popular had the audience laughing in all the right places. I really liked the interaction between Evans and Jaden during Thank Goodness. The anger and frustration from Fiyero was prominent and you saw the slight regret in Glinda's eyes, yet all the while knowing she couldn't resist the popularity and social acclaim that was on offer.
Melanie La Barrie as Madame Morrible was definitely a stand out of this cast, playing the sinister side with a subtle, yet terrifying, edge. She also has excellent comedic timing and had the audience laughing with her facial expressions and on point delivery of lines throughout the show.
One of my favourite characters in the show is Boq and I loved Jack Lansbury's take on role. He has a certain boyish charm and I just wanted to give him a hug when Glinda called him Biq for the millionth time and his contempt for Fiyero could not have been made more clear.
When I have the chance to see an understudy in a role, it excites me and last night I was able to see Rosa O'Reilly as NessaRose and Russell Walker as Dr Dillamond and I was in no way disappointed. O'Reilly played NessaRose's innocence in act 1 extremely well and, although I would have liked to have seen more power during the main section of Wicked Witch of the East, I would definitely love to see her in the role again.
In my opinion, no show can be successful without the work of solid ensemble and Wicked is no exception; they were crisp, clear and worked as one.
Overall, I was extremely impressed with the whole cast and it probably won't be long before I'm back at the Apollo Victoria to see the show again!