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Review Wicked the Musical in the Apollo Victoria Theatre London

Review Wicked the Musical. I had forgotten how much I love going to the theatre, until last weekend. When I had a mum’s weekend away and went to see Wicked the musical at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre. This captivating show has been a staple in the world of theatre since its Broadway debut in 2003 and has continued to dazzle audiences in the heart of London since 2006. I am not surprised it has remained so popular. Not only was the Apollo Victoria Theatre a sell-out when we visited but the well-deserving cast got a standing ovation. If you are thinking of watching this modern musical classic then here is what to expect. Spoiler alert it was amazing.

AD – We were gifted Wicked the Musical London tickets in return for this blog post.

Table of Contents

Review Wicked The Musical

The Apollo Victoria Theatre

Wicked has taken up residency in The Apollo Victoria Theatre in London. A renowned West End venue that has captivated audiences with its rich history and stunning architecture. Located opposite London Victoria Station, the Apollo Victoria Theatre has been a prominent fixture in the city’s cultural landscape since its opening in 1930. The London theatre is art deco inspired and you can see this throughout. No wonder the massive theatre that seats 2328 is now a Grade II listed building.

Top Tip – We arrived just under an hour before the show started which allowed us to take in all the intricate detail. From the fish patterns on the ceiling. The mermaid above the toilet doors and of course the lights which have been designed to look like witches’ hats. If you can wander down to the front of the stage and look back at the theatre. Spot the decoration on the ceiling and of course take pictures of the mechanical dragon.

There are several places to buy souvenirs and drinks. Which I must say are really well priced considering that you are in London. You can partake in a Wicked-themed green or pink cocktail that cost £25 for two. Or a large glass of red wine will only set you back £10.60 a bottle of prosecco £40. Popcorn and sweets are also available. The souvenir programme costs £10. There was some additional seating at the back of the theatre. We stood and took in the atmosphere and theatre for a while before finding our seats in the stalls.

How The Story Came About

The origin story of Wicked began with L. Frank Baum’s classic novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which introduced us to the enigmatic Wicked Witch of the West. However, it wasn’t until Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, that the witch’s backstory was brought to life. This innovative retelling captured the imaginations of readers, giving us a fresh perspective on the classic tale.

Branching out from Baum’s work, Maguire’s novel dove into the complex and complementary personas of Elphaba. Later known as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. This intriguing narrative paved the way for the sensational musical adaptation that now graces the West End stage. Set in the magical land of Oz, Wicked tells the untold story of the witches of Oz, skillfully weaving together a narrative that runs parallel to the classic tale of The Wizard of Oz. With glamorous Glinda and despised Elphaba. You can not help but enjoy each character in equal measure.

From Book To Stage

Renowned composer Stephen Schwartz discovered Maguire’s novel while on vacation. Intrigued by the book’s potential, Schwartz teamed up with experienced writer Winnie Holzman to bring the story to life in musical form. Winnie Holzman’s book led to the theatre production Wicked premiering on Broadway in 2003 to undisputed critical acclaim.

From its Broadway beginnings, Wicked soon ventured to London’s West End in 2006. The phenomenal success both in the United States and the United Kingdom has solidified its status as a worldwide phenomenon. Throughout its ongoing theatrical journey, Wicked has amassed numerous awards and distinctions during the long time it has been running for, including the following accolades:

3 Tony Awards, including Best Actress in a Musical and Best Scenic Design
6 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Book of a Musical
2 Olivier Awards, including Most Popular Show and Audience Award for Most Popular Show

Review Wicked The Musical – The Music

The music is just as important as those performing on stage. After all the hint is in the title. Wicked did not disappoint and is one of the best musical theatre performances I have seen. There are some very well-known songs included in the performance, my favourite is probably Defying Gravity. This is the signature song for the show composed by Stephen Schwartz and was released in 2003. It is the perfect end to the first half as Elphaba belts out a gravity-defying performance rising high into the roof of the stage.

All 21 musical numbers that tell the story of Elphaba are performed by a skilful orchestra that sits below the stage in the pit. At the end of the show, the cast praised the musicians for their performance just as we praised them with a standing ovation.

The Set And Costumes

As you walk into the theatre and look down towards the stage you can not help but feel like you are walking into something very special. Across the top there is a giant dragon. The sides of the stage are made up of intricate gears and towering clock faces. Which come into play when the witches visit the Emerald City. The costumes are bright colourful. The show opens on a street scene where the costumes are really intricate and works of art in their own right. A contemporary take on Victorian dress. Later they take on similar outfits in varying shades of green for the Emerald City.

Glinda’s costumes are exactly what a little girl dreams of, ball gowns with glitter, pastel colours and beauty. A stark contrast to the simple clothes that Elphaba wears at the beginning of Wicked the Musical. In later scenes, she wears a dress which you can see in the staircase as you go downstairs to the stalls.

The Cast

In Wicked The Musical at London’s West End, the acting was outstanding and the singing absolutely amazing. When we visited the current cast was:

Elphaba: The lead role of the misunderstood green-skinned witch has been portrayed by Alexia Khadime, Elphaba’s journey from a reclusive student to a powerful witch is central to the storyline and you could not help but feel each emotion she was going through. Every time she sang the audience erupted in loud cheers.
Glinda: Providing a contrast to Elphaba is the charming and effervescent Glinda who had a rather uncanny character to someone I knew when I was growing up. Actress Lucy St. Louis captured the complex relationship with Elphaba and in the end you could not help but feel sorry for her.
The Wizard: A crucial figure in the tale, both cunning and endearing, the character’s actions shape the destiny of our heroines in unexpected ways. Mark Curry played the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, if you are also a child of the 80s then you may also recognise him from Blue Peter as we did.
Madame Morrible: Ambitious, manipulative, yet charismatic, Madame Morrible is another central character that influences Elphaba’s fate. Sophie-Louise Dann plays the ambitious headmistress.

Tips For Seeing The Musical Wicked

If you are thinking of visiting the Oz prequel then you may find some of these tips useful.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before the show begins to ensure ample time to find your seat and to pick up a programme or souvenir.
Wicked the Musical is recommended for children aged 7 and over. It makes a great first West End show for older children.
Photos are not permitted during the performance, although you can take a photo at the end during the curtain call.
The show is two hours and forty-five minutes with a twenty-minute interval.
Tickets need to be booked in advance. This is a popular show and often a sell-out despite having multiple shows throughout the week including matinee performances at the weekend.
Tickers can be purchased directly from the theatre box office, or online from the Wicked the Musical at London’s Apollo Victoria website. Prices start from £25.

Review Wicked The Musical Conclusions

Wicked the Musical is one of the best performances I have seen. We all really enjoyed the story of the Wizard of Oz, it makes the perfect night out to share with your girlfriends. It makes a wonderful gift