After four years away, Wicked the Musical has made a magical return to the Mayflower Southampton. Exploring themes of good and evil, making a refreshing change to the typical boy meets girl story, Wicked tells the tale of two young women – Glinda the Good and Elphaba aka The Wicked Witch of the West. From the start of the show we are posed with the question: “Are people born wicked or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?”. And as the show explores good versus evil, prejudice and diversity, and the adage “don’t judge the book by the cover”, we enjoy this rich moral tale that is told with such riotous fun and excitement.
However, what makes this tale so memorable and popular with audiences around the world, is that it covers what takes place before, simultaneously with and after the classic Wizard of Oz tale. This subtle theme of time, is complimented with the staging featuring a giant clock backdrop and the various cogs and workings of a timepiece.
The music is equally impressive with so many brilliant numbers- from the breathtaking Defying Gravity at the end of Act I to the emotional duet For Good, and the costumes simply sparkle. Stand out performances come from Amy Ross as Elphaba and Helen Woolf as Glinda who manage to make you both laugh and cry.
Other highlights include, Aaron Sidwell (best known as ‘Steven Beale’ in EastEnders) as Fiyero, Steven Pinder (best known as ‘Max Farnham’ in Brookside) as The Wizard & Doctor Dillamond, Kim Ismay as Madame Morrible, Emily Shaw as Nessarose,Iddon Jones as Boq and the entire wonderful ensemble all come together to deliver a first class performances too to an utterly wicked show.
Tickets until 27 October ) are on sale now via Mayflower Theatre Box Office tel: 02380 711811 or online at mayflower.org.uk.
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alanaburnett 
A musical that has been loved by me for 12 years- a musical that changed me “for good”. A musical I saw 4 times- 1x on Broadway and 3x on tour in Charlotte. Each time is time than the last