It was exciting to just be excited to see Wicked: there was no way that this production wasn’t going to be excellent. For other shows, there’s more of a sense that it could go either way, and that I’ll need to be more switched-on to spot the successes of a production. With Wicked, “reviewing” was easy: this show is phenomenal. Had it been less good I might have spent longer analysing each of the elements, the lighting, the set, the costume (which we were given a wonderful opportunity to see up-close in the foyer before the show began), but all of the elements melted into an indivisible, spectacular whole.
This is a big show, so big in fact, that it managed to make the Mayflower stage seem endearingly small – like we were being treated to some kind of exclusive, intimate performance. There were no concessions made in this touring production from the big West End or Broadway residencies, no corners were cut, and Southampton audiences were given full access to one of the world’s most iconic musicals.
Watching Laura Pick as Elphaba was at times bewilderingly good, leaving audiences stunned and looking to each other as if to say “are you hearing this?” during her crystal-clear belts. During her first solo of The Wizard and I, we were given the kind of goosebumps that part of you worries might be doing you permanent damage. The singing from all three of the main cast was so powerful it felt like it was reverberating in your bones.
One thing I did note was that because I was so used to the American accents on the Original Broadway recording, I was pleasantly struck by how the English-ness of this production brought out different elements of the characters. With an English accent, suddenly I could better imagine why Fiyero is so initially repugnant as a vapid posh boy, and not just a bit annoying as an American "jock".
Given the atrocities occurring today, Wicked feels perhaps more relevant that ever. It was wonderful to see the Mayflower filled to the brim several days after opening night, and to feel the overwhelming positive energy in the audience. This is the power of touring productions. Wicked at the Mayflower Theatre is a production that will restore your faith in humanity, just that little bit. Go.
Verity Babbs is the host of Voice FM's 'Arts & Culture Show' on Wednesdays at 2PM
www.veritybabbs.com
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