The musical phenomenon that is WICKED has flown into the Wales Millennium Centre and for the next five weeks will be welcoming near capacity crowds over its stay. The tour began in Edinburgh and finishes in Manchester next January, along the way it’s picked up nothing but rave reviews and standing ovations at every performance.
So, it was the ‘official opening last night and we joined the audience, special guests and a frenzied pack of reviewers to check out the show on your behalf.
What makes Wicked so special is that the audience are right in it from the very start, probably down to its longevity and our love for those catchy songs (more of those shortly). When Glinda descends onto the stage in her magical bubble you could an audible gasp fill the Donald Gordon theatre, and from that moment we are taken on the most magical ride you’ll see on a stage anywhere.
Our reviews differs from most as we like to check in with the audience who have been waiting a long time for this show to arrive – I think you can guess the answer, but we wondered what they thought of this touring production. We also spoke to Glinda herself, actress Sarah O’Connor……
The figures for Wicked are incredible, something like 65 million people have seen it worldwide, there’s been many thousands of performances over its 21 years, and it’s picked up more awards that pretty much any other show around (in excess of 100 globally if you’re counting). This is one iconic show for audiences and even more so for those who have taken to the stage over the years.
And don’t forget, there’s also the two-part Universal Pictures film version of Wicked to be released next month, with part two in November 2025.
There’s many reasons why this is one of the most successful musicals of all time and all of them are right here in Cardiff Bay.
‘Wicked‘ is a spectacle in every respect and demands equally spectacular performances, and that’s precisely what we have for the next few weeks in Cardiff. LAURA PICK is Elphaba the green-skinned novice who eventually becomes the Wicked Witch of the West we know from The Wizard of Oz. Throwing a big helping of niceness into the story is Glinda, the Good Witch of the East, played by SARAH O’CONNOR.
On stage there are some incredible magical battles, good versus evil, but vocally these two performers are equally matched. Their range is phenomenal and genuinely fills this massive auditorium with some of the most catchy and, on occasions, moving songs you’ll hear. Of course, we all know the big show-stopping hits but the soundtrack is filled with a complete set of songs which take us through the backstory of L. Frank Baum’s ‘Oz’ books.
I have an admission here, I have loved and indeed reviewed shows for more years than Wicked has been on stage but this is my first experience of this 21-year-old classic, and in some ways I’m pleased I got to see it first in Wales.
From the get go the show is spectacular, although for a few younger members of the audience (and some of us older ones), the plot may seem a little confusing, at first. But fear not, from the incredible show opening, right though the 2 hours 45 minutes you’re in the building (including a 20 minute interval), you are swept along to a conclusion which wraps up this part of the Oz tale perfectly.
There is a little bit of time jumping with the story taking us back to when our two witches were at school, then later we see them older, but it will all make sense, especially if you sit down and read the original books together with your kids.
We had a 7 year-old with us and she loved every moment of this production. The plot discussion continued in the car on the way home, as did a Spotify play of the original soundtrack, but that’s always the joy of going to the theatre.
The entire cast are truly Wicked (as in good that is). LAURA PICK (Elphaba), SARAH O’CONNOR (Glinda), CARL MAN (Fiyero), DONNA BERLIN (Madame Morrible), SIMEON TRUBY (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond), JED BERRY (Boq), MEGAN GARDINER (Nessarose), CASEY AL-SHAQSY (Standby for Elphaba).
Laura, Carl, Simeon, Nick, and Will have all previously appeared in the West End production of Wicked so they are very seasoned hands in the marry old land of Oz.
Wicked is jam packed with songs you know, and even if you are completely new to the show a soundtrack which will draw you in and fill all of your senses. When the first half finishes with the iconic ‘Defying Gravity’ you cannot wait for the break to be over to get back to the story
If you’re a fan of The Wizard of Oz then Wicked will take you to places you don’t expect. Some of the themes are as relevant now as they were when they were first written, particularly when Elphaba finds acceptance at school a difficult transition.
In summing up we defy you not to love everything about this magical musical. Whether it’s your first, or more Wicked experience, you will love this spellbinding production. With two powerhouse leads, a mind-blowing set and an orchestra which blew the roof off the Donald Gordon Theatre, this is a show to see, while you can.
WICKED is at the Wales Millennium Centre through to 23rd November. We’ve had a bit of a wait for this but tickets are now on sale, but are very limited – HERE.
Also, check our original feature which has out Top 20 Wicked Facts about the show – HERE.
