I hope you’re happy now as the award-winning musical Wicked has returned to the Manchester stage once more. Defying social norms and of course defying gravity, Elphaba and Glinda are having their moment and lead the talented cast in Wicked. But before you run to the cinema for the new Wicked film, you neeeeed to see the musical as that’s where all the magic truly began – plus you don’t have to wait a year for the second part… Read on for our review of the Wicked musical performed at Manchester Palace Theatre.
One of the best-selling productions in Manchester Palace Theatre’s history, Wicked sold over 225,000 tickets across its two celebrated previous engagements in 2013 and 2018, and now the show is back on the Manchester stage once again, running until January 12, 2025. The West End and Broadway musical phenomenon, that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, continues its open-ended run at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it has already been seen by more than 11 million people and is now in its 17th year.
The story of Wicked
Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked imagines a beguiling backstory and future possibilities to the lives of L. Frank Baum’s beloved characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and reveals the decisions and events that shape the destinies of two unlikely university friends on their journey to becoming Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
The musical was made famous on Broadway in 2003 having featured a star-studded cast including Frozen‘s Idina Menzel as Elphaba, who also returned to play the role at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre in 2006.
The talented cast
Elphaba
Laura Pick takes on the role of Elphaba in this performance of Wicked and whilst some might say she has big shoes to fill with the likes of Idina Menzel and Cynthia Erivo having played the part, this is not Pick’s first flight on Elphaba’s broom. She has played the role at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre and has reprised the role for this tour.
Pick demonstrates excellently all the traits we associate with Elphaba – her defiance, her solitary nature and dry, witty remarks. Her facial expressions particularly when Glinda wants to give her a makeover and ‘Glinda-fy’ her are amusing, yet she effortlessly transitions for more serious scenes. And damn can she belt out a song. Her rendition of Defying Gravity resulted in huge waves of clapping and cheering, projecting those high notes with such power and emotion it could be heard wherever you may be sat in the theatre – perhaps even Manchester’s Oxford Road on a quieter night.
Glinda
Oozing all the joy and sweetness, Sarah O’Connor takes on the role of Glinda in this production of Wicked. O’Connor nails the character’s innocent and fairy-like nature and also that ‘swish, swish’ of the hair, of course.
Singing in a British accent was quite refreshing in contrast to the likes of American accents such as Kristin Chenoweth and Ariana Grande, allowing O’Connor to very much make the role her own. From the perky Popular to the reprise of I’m Not That Girl, O’Connor had the perfect dose of energy to suit each song and she sparkled and shined on stage thanks to both her costume and performance.
“They’ll never bring us down”
As Glinda says, “pink goes good with green” and this is evident as the pair show a heartwarming connection on stage, either taking it in turns to hit the high notes or doing so “in tandem”. Of course Defying Gravity is an absolute hit that builds and builds, and is rising up the charts (currently 7th in the top 40 when writing) due to the latest Wicked film release, but other songs the two witches sing together should not be underestimated. Popular and What is this feeling? (both also climbing the charts in 13th and 17th place respectively) bring joy and foot-tapping beats as well as display a contrast in how the characters’ relationship develops to become closer.
Despite their “unadulterated loathing” to begin with, For Good performed in the second act has plenty of emotion from both those on stage and in the audience. Behind this complex friendship there is love and sacrifice, conveyed in this performance and particularly in this later song as the characters part ways.
Costumes and dance in Wicked
It’s not the show-stopping Wicked musical without some sparkle and costume designers do not hold back, from Glinda’s blue princess-like dress to the civilians in the Emerald City donning quirky, sequined outfits in shades of green no less. No sparkle was added to Elphaba’s outfits however, signifying her otherness as well as not being succumbed to the bright, dazzling lights of the Emerald City and the Wizard of Oz’s agenda.
It was also impressive how the choice of colour and accessories told a story too. For instance, Fiyero’s costume changes from white and red to a green uniform, that could be translated as him showing his loyalty to Elphaba, how he is falling for her and joining her in her green world. Plus, the use of sunglasses worn by the people of the Emerald City could be interpreted as them “blocking out” what is truly going on and seeing through green-tinted glasses.
The dancers, particularly during songs No One Mourns the Wicked and Dancing Through Life, were impressive, matching their movements faultlessly to the tempo of the music. As the citizens of Oz team up together for No One Mourns the Wicked rhythmically stomping, you feel like you’re going into battle with them.
With an incredibly talented cast, dazzling costumes, mesmerising set design, impressive choreography and music, plus receiving more than 100 global awards, including three Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, and a Grammy, Wicked the musical leaves a lasting memory and lesson. Audiences are left to decide what exactly is good and evil and whether they are as binary as initially thought.
I have wanted to see Wicked at the theatre for ages and understand the hype around this award-winning musical, and like many who told me before I went, the Manchester performance was magic. Ultimately, after seeing Wicked, something has changed within me, and something is not the same.
Fancy going to see Wicked in Manchester after our review? The musical is being performed at Manchester’s Palace Theatre between December 3, 2024 and January 12, 2025. Get tickets here so not to miss out or you’ll be green with envy.