Wicked - Apollo Victoria Theatre - Review

Having celebrated its 19th anniversary back in September, the Apollo Victoria theatre was that famous shade of green long before the cinema screens. Wicked, known in full as Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz has been delighting audiences for much longer than a clock click of the Time Dragon, ever since its San Francisco tryout way back in 2003, and its much more recent star studded two-part film adaptation has sent its popularity to supersonic proportions, not that its stage favour has ever truly faded to any degree.

Long before Dorothy dropped that house of the Wicked Witch of the East and Glinda the good guided her down that yellow brick road, Galinda, (Zizi Strallen) all bright eyed and bushy tailed and donned head to tail in pink, was a young student at Shiz University where she hopes to hone her witchcraft. But, things don’t exactly go her way when she is made to share a bedroom with Elphaba (Laura Emmitt),  another young witch feared and ostracised due to the strange green hue of her skin.

What follows is a rollercoaster of friendship, witchcraft, wizardry, choosing what and who to believe in, romance, treachery and twisted tales as we follow Galinda and Elphaba through their time at school, to a meeting with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz and try to answer that question: are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?

Where act 1 acts completely as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, act 2 runs alongside it, adding a new and exciting dimension to the tale that everyone believes they know. Glinda the good and the Wicked Witch of the West aren’t truly given the opportunity to tell their tale with Dorothy around but in Wicked, their pasts complete with all its secrets are revealed.

Zizi Strallan swaps Mary Poppins umbrella for a magical bubble as her mode of transport here as Galinda/Glinda, not a hair out of place and glamorous outfits that wouldn’t look out of place on a Disney princess. It would be easy to dismiss Galinda almost as ditzy, self centred and obsessive but whilst these qualities persist at times, Strallen gives her heart as we see her grow and learn throughout the story whilst boasting some beautiful vocals that float over the high notes with ease. Her take on the character as a sense of hyperactivity, a fizz founded in excitement but heightened by anxiety as the story develops. There is a sense that she feels as if someone  is constantly looking over her shoulder, judging her choices and guiding her way, which gives the character an interesting developed dynamic.

Laura Emmitt, playing the role of Elphaba at this performance, showcases some powerhouse vocals that raise the roof even from my position in the second to last row of the theatre. Elphaba is a complex character, describing herself as 'beautifull tragic', a mind so sharp it suits a black pointed hat but skin so green, she is destined to a life in a shadows. But she doesn't take no for an answer; she is driven, determined and powerful, fully knowing what she believes in and knowing that a normal life simply isn't going to suit her. Emmitt personifies all of this in a performance that will make your heart soar, showcasing Elphaba's tricky and complicated balance between genius and wickedness with ease.

Fiyero, played by Carl Man, is every part the disney like prince to partner Strallan's princess Glinda, but this character is so much more than a pretty face. He could easily be led astray, but his heart, how ever inclined to dance life away it may be, is firmly in the right place. Rory Maguire played the role of Boq at this performance, the character sweet and charming if not a little misguided perhaps, but no one is perfect, unless you are Fiyero and Glinda of course, but the story will have you questioning everything.

A small, and probably unpopular opinion here, but I actaully love the song 'Wonderful', (the man's called a traitor bit is chef's kiss) although many others may not, and Michael Matus' rendition was just lovely and truly deserves some praise here.

Having attended this performance just a week or so before 'Wicked: For Good' hit the cinema screens, I was surrounded by people excited to discover what happens in Act 2, with the first film finishing with the Act finale 'Defying Gravity'. And I have to say that there was a few few gasps of surprise around me when the secrets were revealed, but don't worry, no spoilers here from me if you have not been able to catch the second film yet.

To conclude, it is really no surprise that Wicked continues to delight, thrill and capture the imagination as it explores what wicked is and how a person can become truly wicked whilst weaving its way through friendship, history, magic and romance. And with the success of the film adaptations, I fully expect the vast Apollo Victoria to continue to be full to the rafters.