|
Post by Matt on Dec 19, 2023 22:53:58 GMT
Saw this tonight after a 7 year gap or so. I was there on first preview night, press night, and many more times during the first year. I saw it on Broadway with shoshana and Megan in year 2, but my GOD this show has fallen off completely.
I booked row O stalls on rush and moved to row c stalls as the theatre was probably only 2/3 full or less. There were some sound issues at first, too quiet, mics not being brought in quick enough, but that got better.
Every single joke fell flat bar a couple. All of the Easter eggs for the wizard of oz went over everyone’s heads, so I’m thinking that the audiences nowadays just aren’t familiar with the film, or was it something else, the acting and delivery…
It’s a bit of the first, but mostly due to the latter.
Alexia has a really good voice, although nasally, and Mark Curry was great as the Wizard, but that’s the only positives I had.
Apart from Mark, NO ONE can act. There was no comedy timing or knowledge on how to deliver the lines, they were simply being just read off the script. I wasn’t a fan of Lucy as Glinda at all, and Ryan was without a doubt the worst of them all. It was like GCSE drama, very OTT, and VERY camp for an alpha male role.
I literally cannot believe what I saw tonight and how some of these have continued in their roles. Surely someone inside is watching this and the audience reaction and thinking something just isn’t clicking? Surely the cast can tell how flat it is?
But for some reason most of the audience thought it was worthy of a standing O. During the interval the woman behind me was saying she has seen it loads, on Broadway too, and had never seen it like this. The woman in front of me said the same, and also said her child’s school class came last week and most of them fell asleep. In the interval I stood at the front and looked at the size of the theatre and realised how massive it actually is. Surely they can’t keep this going much longer?
|
|
18,805 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 20, 2023 7:43:52 GMT
Makes you wonder if the cast themselves understand the Easter eggs.
|
|
|
Post by toomasj on Dec 20, 2023 8:13:10 GMT
Well yes, thank you for your review Matt. The show has, in my view, been in terminal decline for a long while now. The jokes haven’t landed in ages and it just feels very flat - and of course the sound is the worst in the West End. By most accounts the tour is where it’s at for a tighter ship - but I can’t help but feel Wicked needs a genuine shake up.
Looking at some of the non-replica productions does make me a touch envious. It is very tired looking at this stage sadly.
Re: audiences though - this has been going for ages and there hasn’t been a whiff of it closing. I saw a Thursday night I think with Jennifer DiNoia (best Elphaba I’d seen since Idina/Shoshana/Cassidy Janson) and they actually brought everyone forward. There can’t have been more than 700 in the house.
When I went last year with Amy Webb, understudy Glinda and Ryan Reid, that was the final straw for me. Half full, very flat and - worst of all - I could tell the cast were bored. Lots of wandering glances into the audience from ensemble, a lyric fumble from Amy Webb who was on autopilot etc.
I’d love Wicked to start afresh, get the Director, choreographer and original MD back in for a few weeks, close the venue and fix the sound whatever it costs, and get it back to its former glory with a truly stellar cast.
Never gonna happen though. They had their chance with COVID if they were bothered about its condition.
|
|
|
Post by capybara on Dec 20, 2023 8:31:24 GMT
Perhaps it will get a bit of a refresh, both in terms of cast and its overall image, off the back of the two part film release?
The movie will undoubtedly attract new fans and rejuvenate older fans. It is vital the show is in a fit shape when it happens.
|
|
|
Post by Matt on Dec 20, 2023 8:58:13 GMT
It’s honestly made me wonder why they are bothering with the film, but I guess the book will be more or less completely different with a few classic lines thrown in.
You can tell how dated a lot of it is with the projections of the tornado etc, and defying gravity when she flies just doesn’t have a wow factor anymore.
|
|
225 posts
|
Post by ukpuppetboy on Dec 20, 2023 9:03:57 GMT
Saw this tonight after a 7 year gap or so. I was there on first preview night, press night, and many more times during the first year. I saw it on Broadway with shoshana and Megan in year 2, but my GOD this show has fallen off completely. They were leading the cast the first 2 times I saw the show also - on Broadway and then Toronto. An impossible (double) act to follow really…
|
|
10 posts
|
Post by hoopoe on Dec 20, 2023 9:51:23 GMT
defying gravity when she flies just doesn’t have a wow factor anymore. Is it the norm that Elphaba doesn't even pretend to be riding the broom in this scene? When I saw it a few weeks ago she just held it next to her and it was one of the things I found really took me out of what was happening.
|
|
|
Post by solangelafitte on Dec 20, 2023 10:23:20 GMT
I saw that Ross Harmon was on instead of Ryan last weekend so took my opportunity to see the rest of this cast. I enjoyed Alexia a lot when I saw her back in 2009 and was excited to see her growth all these years later but she really fell flat for me. Her No Good Deed was good but at just about every other point in the show I was wishing I'd seen one of her covers. I liked Lucy more than I expected to but even then not close to one of my favourite Glindas. Glad I saw Ross, he at least attempts to give Fiyero a personality and he made some nice acting choices.
Matt, it's funny to you mention the Wizard of Oz jokes getting no reaction as it's something my group commented on too. First time we'd ever noticed it. We didn't know if it was people being less familiar with it now or, like you say, if it was the delivery.
I will admit I thought people on the board were exaggerating slightly about the sound before I went but my goodness! I saw Wicked a lot in the first couple of years and make pretty much an annual trip so have sat in just about every area of the theatre by now but this was shockingly bad. Wicked has been the show I bring niece/nephews/friends' kids to as their first big theatre experience. Even with varying casts it's always been pretty reliable in terms of quality but I left the show this time thinking I probably won't be back to the Apollo Victoria for a while, at least until the next contract for this cast ends. Have tickets for the tour next year as it sounds like the better cast and production at the minute.
|
|
|
Post by normasturban on Dec 20, 2023 20:18:32 GMT
Yes I saw this a couple of months back and share much of the same thoughts. Alexia wasn’t overly pleasant to listen to in most songs and there was no sense that any of them had been directed how to actually land a joke or inject light and shade into their performances.
|
|
|
Post by toomasj on Dec 20, 2023 22:21:41 GMT
But it has been like this for years. The actress I saw as Glinda the time before last sounded like she was having an asthma attack with her gasps for air every time she sang. I was genuinely a bit worried for her. Savannah I think her name was.
Unusual for the board to be so unanimous on a subject; but it seems we’re agreed Wicked in London is in a right state.
|
|
2,148 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by richey on Dec 21, 2023 6:46:24 GMT
I've not seen it for a few years, the last time was Lucie's opening night, but even then i was thinking there were some decidedly ropey momemts. When the platform carrying Glinda etc came downstage for Thank Goodness I feared for their safety, it was wobbling around so much. When you see so many videos of the non-replica productions around the world it does make you realised how dated it is looking.
|
|
|
Post by musicalfan on Dec 22, 2023 21:12:24 GMT
Currently at the interval - Amy Webb is on for Elphaba. Haven’t seen her since September
|
|
|
Post by SuttonPeron on Dec 23, 2023 1:01:22 GMT
I personally loved Alexia and Lucy, and thought they were the perfect leading combo. Loathed Ryan Reid and loved Mark Curry and Sophie Louise Dann. I also think Wicked, much like other shows, is a product of its time. A time machine to early 21st century Broadway shows. The original production and its subsequent replicas are meant to reflect that, and do so wonderfully.
My issue with the West End production (poor audience behavior aside) after seeing it recently is its mediocre supervision/resident direction/Music direction. Many jokes don´t land, the acting is often mediocre and the choices poor and uninspiring, the ensemble "are there". And the orchestra has lost so much power and oomph in recent years, with some weird tempi choices. It´s a magical show that means a lot to so many people, and that when done well, can touch people´s hearts in an unforgettable night out. Give them the best you can, not just a lazy 30%! Broadway is learning and the show is in great shape over there. Why can´t the same happen in London?
|
|
358 posts
|
Post by thebroadwayboy on Dec 23, 2023 4:01:07 GMT
I personally loved Alexia and Lucy, and thought they were the perfect leading combo. Loathed Ryan Reid and loved Mark Curry and Sophie Louise Dann. I also think Wicked, much like other shows, is a product of its time. A time machine to early 21st century Broadway shows. The original production and its subsequent replicas are meant to reflect that, and do so wonderfully. My issue with the West End production (poor audience behavior aside) after seeing it recently is its mediocre supervision/resident direction/Music direction. Many jokes don´t land, the acting is often mediocre and the choices poor and uninspiring, the ensemble "are there". And the orchestra has lost so much power and oomph in recent years, with some weird tempi choices. It´s a magical show that means a lot to so many people, and that when done well, can touch people´s hearts in an unforgettable night out. Give them the best you can, not just a lazy 30%! Broadway is learning and the show is in great shape over there. Why can´t the same happen in London?
|
|
358 posts
|
Post by thebroadwayboy on Dec 23, 2023 4:01:44 GMT
I saw Alexia in BOM she was amazing in that
|
|
259 posts
|
Post by kyvai on Dec 23, 2023 7:41:40 GMT
Bloody hell, do we need time machines to the early 21st century now, I thought we were still there!
|
|
|
Post by westendwhistledown on Dec 23, 2023 18:53:03 GMT
Laura Harrison returning to Wicked tonight to play Elphaba. She just did a matinee of Sunset Boulevard and now at Wicked. Incredible scenes and saving the show yet again!
|
|
|
Post by toomasj on Dec 23, 2023 18:59:12 GMT
Why couldn’t Amy Webb fill in again? Does she have in her contract she won’t work consecutive shows?
I saw Amy Webb and admittedly it’s no big loss - she was fine for a cover at this stage of the show’s run - but doesn’t this sum up how crap the show has gotten?
|
|
|
Post by normasturban on Dec 23, 2023 19:07:24 GMT
I know illness can happen etc but what is going on at the AV that they had no choice but to bring in the new standby months earlier AND when she’s already doing a two show day at another production?
What is the current Elphaba standby/cover situation? Isn’t there three?
|
|
480 posts
|
Post by deej4life on Dec 23, 2023 19:24:02 GMT
Amy Webb has consistently let the show down time and time again since joining as standby in London. I wish her the best in her future endeavours, but she should have stepped down as standby long before now.
Well done to Laura for coming in and covering! I'm sure she'll have great success as the official standby Elphaba come March.
Today does raise the question though, where are the two understudies, Kate and Nicola?
|
|
|
Post by toomasj on Dec 23, 2023 20:03:47 GMT
And the bigger question, why is it the norm to miss so many shows?
I know it’s a big sing but Shoshana Bean did it for ages barely missing a show and was doing vocal acrobatics every single night.
Cast better please.
|
|
|
Post by musicalfan on Dec 23, 2023 23:51:22 GMT
Today does raise the question though, where are the two understudies, Kate and Nicola? When I was there last night - Kate was on. I checked if she was there as at one point I thought they were going to switch Elphies. Don’t know about today though
|
|
|
Post by musicalfan on Dec 24, 2023 0:00:51 GMT
And the bigger question, why is it the norm to miss so many shows? I know it’s a big sing but Shoshana Bean did it for ages barely missing a show and was doing vocal acrobatics every single night. Cast better please. Alexia has been absolutely incredible these past few months and these last 2 days off had been her first unscheduled days off since September. Pretty sure she’s just done the last 4 weeks without a show off until yesterday
|
|
358 posts
|
Post by thebroadwayboy on Dec 24, 2023 1:48:51 GMT
Did Kristin miss any shows?
|
|
|
Post by toomasj on Dec 24, 2023 2:53:52 GMT
Did Kristin miss any shows? Six unscheduled absences across her contact.
|
|
|
Post by aingidh on Dec 24, 2023 12:45:31 GMT
Amy Webb is back this afternoon alongside Christine as Glinda
|
|
4,448 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by Being Alive on Dec 24, 2023 12:55:16 GMT
Did Kristin miss any shows? Six unscheduled absences across her contact. We just don't have people with this work ethic anymore (mores the pity)
|
|
358 posts
|
Post by thebroadwayboy on Dec 25, 2023 7:19:55 GMT
Six unscheduled absences across her contact. We just don't have people with this work ethic anymore (mores the pity) Kristin has a major health condition. It's amazing she can even still sing. You should not just write silly things. Without knowing. Its amazing she can even still be on the stage at all
|
|
|
Post by toomasj on Dec 25, 2023 7:48:57 GMT
We just don't have people with this work ethic anymore (mores the pity) Kristin has a major health condition. It's amazing she can even still sing. You should not just write silly things. Without knowing. Its amazing she can even still be on the stage at all You seem to have completely misread their post. They were praising Chenoweth for only missing a couple of shows in her run, compared to current casts where even the standby struggles to complete two consecutive performances. Also, Chenoweth was in perfectly good health during her Wicked contract, and her health issues came years later so it wouldn’t make sense regardless. Merry Christmas.
|
|
|
Post by wickedestwitch on Dec 27, 2023 9:48:52 GMT
Amy Webb was on as Elphaba and Christine on as Glinda again last night
|
|