Music and lyrics : Stephen Schwartz
Book : Winnie Holzman based upon the novel by Gregory Maguire
Director: Joe Mantello
Wicked arrives at The Palace, Manchester, just as publicity for the movie version of the musical is running high. The boost does not seem needed- the show has only just opened and already The Palace is advising ticket availability is extremely limited.
As a natural witch Elphaba (Laura Pick) ought to be the star pupil of Shiz University in Oz but faces challenges. Due to a sexual indiscretion by her birth mother, Elphaba has green skin and is highly protective of her sister Nessarose (Megan Gardiner) who uses a wheelchair. To off-set her outsider status Elphaba is paired with Glinda (Sarah O’Connor), the most popular pupil at the University. The friendship is fraught, and the duo soon fall out as Elphaba is determined to confront the Wizard of Oz about increasing totalitarianism in Oz whereas Glinda is more conciliatory. The entire community turns against Elphaba accusing her as being ‘wicked’ and things get even more complicated when a tornado blows a house from Kansas into Oz.
Wicked is not a strictly faithful adaptation of the source novel by Gregory Maguire but still tackles the central theme of whether doing bad things for a good reason is truly wicked. The central irony has green-skinned outcast Elphaba condemned as depraved while The Wizard (Simeon Truby) is not ‘’ a very good man, but a very bad Wizard’’, but rather a nasty piece of work who imposes a repressive regime, and is aware the best way to retain power is to distract the public by giving them someone they can hate. Hanging over the musical is the impression hypocrisy is the most wicked behaviour
There is a delightful sly humour in Stephen Schwartz’s lyrics. The lush “What Is This Feeling?” begins in the manner of a love ballad before turning into a statement of mutual detestation between Elphaba and Glinda. The latter rattles off a paragraph of reasons why she dislikes Elphaba who responds with a single word justifying her antipathy: blonde. The lyrics also playful hint at future developments with an excited Elphaba proclaiming she could just melt.
A theme of Wicked is that one cannot accept what is on the surface; Elphaba although regarded by the public as a villain is actually a freedom fighter and the apparently vacuous Glinda has hidden depths. Director Joe Mantello sets this conflicted mood from the opening which is surprisingly sinister. The curtain is raised by the flying monkeys who are downright grotesque creatures not only with eerie wings but apparently skinned. The lynch mob in the opening scene is so disturbing one takes Elphaba’s side even before she appears.
The sense of contrast is apparent in the two central characters. Glinda is dressed to the nines from the moment she appears whereas Elphaba looks fresh from the farm complete with a pair of thick boots. Daringly Sarah O’Connor plays Glinda as such a shallow self-obsessed person as to risk making her unsympathetic. O’Connor’s skilled approach, however, ensures most of the laughs are directed at Glinda rather than those she mocks. Laura Pick is a vulnerable Elphaba, defensively confronting her critics but, when alone, revealing unexpected hopes. It goes without saying the vocals are exceptional.
Wicked is regarded as a spectacular musical which is true but not in the sense of featuring outstanding special effects. Rather the show takes an ‘old school’ approach with Eugene Lee choreographing the various confrontations between the characters as full-on dance showstoppers. The approach ensures no-one walks when they can dance so scenes become breathless swirls of the massive cast in stylised motion.
The steampunk stage design drags the audience into the workings of a gigantic clock but the scenes are actually set by the ravishing costumes designed by Susan Hilferty. The audience is aware when the scene changes to the Emerald City not by the backgrounds but because every single character is dressed in stunning shades of green. Shiz University does not just have a prom it hosts a stylish black and white ball.
Act one is a 90 minute leisurely examination of the motives of, and deteriorating relationship between, Elphaba and Glinda. The 60 minute second act becomes a brisk attempt to not only tie up the plot threads from act one but to incorporate plotlines and characters from The Wizard of Oz including the Scarecrow and the Tin Man. It is so congested the Cowardly Lion is represented only a by quick flick of his tail.
The complexity of the plot and stunning sophistication of the production makes Wicked an unusual festive entertainment. Likely to delight older audiences but leave very young children restless. Wicked remains, however, the must-see show of the season- if you can get a ticket.
Runs 3rd December 2024 to 12th January 2025
