Wicked will be playing at the Donald Gordon Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff until Saturday 23 November 2024.
Wicked, Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s celebrated stage musical, is based on the acclaimed novel by Gregory Maguire. Wicked imagines a beguiling backstory and future possibilities to the lives of L. Frank Baum's beloved characters from ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, and reveals the decisions and events that shape the destinies of two unlikely university friends on their journey to becoming ‘Glinda The Good’ and the ‘Wicked Witch of the West’.
Wicked goes further than just an exploration of origin stories. The show subtly interweaves more complex themes such as the power of politics, propaganda, and power, combined with lighter humorous moments, drawing the audience into deeper into a version of Oz that is magic, mysterious and menacing.
Already the 10th longest running West End show in British history, Wicked continues an open-ended run at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre where it marked its 18th anniversary with a gala performance on Friday 27th September 2024. Winner of more than 100 global awards, Wicked has already been seen by more than 65 million people worldwide and in October 2024 celebrated the 21st Anniversary of its Broadway premiere.
From the opening scene, with streamers flying out across the audience, Wicked burst onto stage in a riot of colour, music, setting the tone for a night of magic and thrills.
Whilst the entire cast was nothing short of brilliant, Laura Pick and Sarah O’Connor’s Glinda stole the show, both giving a mesmerising performance. Pick’s vocal range was extraordinary, capturing both the raw intensity and vulnerability of her character. She took the audience on an emotional journey with each number, balancing Elphaba’s sorrow, power with moments of unexpected humour. Her performance of Defying Gravity was particularly awe inspiring and brought the house down.
Sarah O’Connor brought a delightful charm to Glinda, lighting up the stage with her infectious cheer. Her comedic timing and unwavering optimism kept the audience laughing, offering a perfect counterpoint to the darker, more intense storylines. The chemistry between Pick and O’Connor was beautiful as the story developed, bringing to life the complex and heart-warming relationship between the two witches.
Wicked is as much a feast for the eyes as a feast for the ears, with the set incorporating clock mechanisms with art deco design, and clever use of lighting and shadow, taking the audience from the halls of Shiz University, to Munchkinland and on to the mysterious and glamourous Emerald City.
The costumes, seemingly inspired by Victorian and Edwardian fashions, were gorgeous: a riot of riding coats, ruffles, petticoats, and pinstripes. Our favourite costumes were the ‘Ozmopolitan’ fashions worn by the citizens of the Emerald City, resplendent in every shade of green imaginable.
Wicked was quite simply a triumph—a spellbinding whirlwind of talent, technical artistry, and sheer joy that left the audience buzzing long after the final curtain.
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Wicked will be playing at the Donald Gordon Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff until Saturday 23 November 2024.
Ticket availability is extremely limited. For more information and to book tickets please click here:
https://www.wmc.org.uk/en/whats-on/2024/wicked/performances
Reviewed by Amy Brown and Jo Daniel - Bro Radio
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