Wicked at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff – review

Stage musical Wicked has been selling out theatres for more than 20 years. It’s been seen by 65 million people worldwide, has more than 100 international awards to its name, is the fourth longest running show on Broadway and 10^th longest-running show in the West End. And with the first of a two-part film adaptation hitting cinemas next month, the film is capturing the attention of a new and younger audience, not least because pop icon Ariana Grande stars as Glinda, with tie-in merchandise everywhere from the clothing aisles to make up ranges to bottles of squash and even Build-a-Bear.

The pending film certainly hasn’t stopped audiences turning out in force as Wicked arrives at Wales Millennium Centre with its five week stint in Cardiff pretty much sold out. There was an incredible atmosphere at last night’s press performance. The famous words at the front of the building were lit up green and you could feel the excitement and anticipation in the Donald Gordon Theatre, with plenty of green and pink clothing and witches hats among the audience members in tribute to the show’s key characters.

A new perspective on what happened in Oz

Wicked is based on the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which in turn is based on L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its classic 1939 film adaptation.

The musical explores the origin story of two witches, Elphaba, who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda, who becomes Glinda the Good. We meet them as they arrive at university and learn how their complex friendship, contrasting viewpoints, and their reactions to the corrupt Wizard shape them.

We’re given new and different perspective on key characters and moments from the film and see what’s really going on ‘behind the scenes’ during Dorothy’s time in Oz. We soon find ourselves asking whether the Wicked Witch of the West was really as evil as people believe, or whether she was the victim, unloved by her father, teased and taunted her whole life for her green skin, and ultimately manipulated by corrupt and powerful people. As Galinda asks in the opening number No One Mourns The Wicked, “Are people born wicked or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?”

Incredible performances

Laura Pick as Elphaba is phenomenal. She has an incredible vocal range and a beautiful quality to her voice, as well as a great way with subtle comedy moments. The applause after her act one solo I’m Not That Girl is quite something; she has to wait a fair while for it to die down before she can carry on.

Sarah O’Connor has all the bubbly perfectness the role of Galinda/Glinda requires. Used to having everything her own way and everyone falling in line to please her, I love the development of her character and what she learns from her unlikely friendship with Elphaba.

Iconic musical numbers

The show’s most famous song, the iconic Defying Gravity – technically a duet between the two witches but undoubtedly Elphaba’s number – is brilliantly staged with dramatic effects and magic. I’m not giving anything away other than to say you can hear the gasps in the audience. That said, even without the stage wizardry, the vocals alone blow you away. You’ll likely know this song, but it takes on a whole new meaning when you see it in the context of the show.

The beautiful For Good, at the end of act two, where the witches talk about how their friendship has changed them both for the better, is tender and full of emotion; it’s proper spine-tingling stuff.

The two witches are joined on stage by a brilliant supporting cast, in particular Megan Gardiner as Elphaba’s sister Nessarose, Jed Berry as Boq, Donna Berlin as Madame Morrible, Carl Man as Fiyero and Simeon Truby as the Wizard of Oz. The ensemble play everyone from the munchkins and the university students to the guards at the Emerald City and the flying monkeys. They fill the stage with beautiful harmonies in particular the haunting opening number No One Mourns The Wicked.

Eugene Lee’s clockwork set with a huge dragon over the stage and Susan Hilferty’s bright costumes fill the stage with colour and intrigue, while Kenneth Posner’s lighting design takes you from calm to fiery in an instant.

Great for older children

The age guidance is 7+. There are a few moments, particularly in the Emerald City, that younger more sensitive children may find a little frightening, but it’s a great one for families with older children.

I took my 14 year old. She first saw it when she was eight and she loved it just as much this time as she did first time round. It’s a show that still feels fresh and relevant despite it being more than 20 years old, with strong themes of friendship, power and corruption, and that there are always more than one side to every story.

If you’ve got tickets to see it in Cardiff, you’re in for a real treat; this is contemporary musical theatre at its best.

Wicked is at Wales Millennium Centre until Saturday 23 November. Ticket availability is limited, priced from £19. Please check online for returns or contact the centre via the website chat service or on tickets@wmc.org.uk

Age guidance 7+, no admittance to under 2s. Running time 2 hours 45 minutes.

Visit the website here.