Unveiling the Untold Story of Wicked!
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https://wickedthemusical.com.au/
Date Reviewed: 05/03/2024
Melbourne’s Regent Theatre was filled with magic as the spellbinding musical Wicked took the stage. The storytelling unfolds from the moment the show begins, immersing the audience in a world where witches reign.
“No One Mourns the Wicked”, the powerful and dramatic music emanates from the orchestral pit, as though from the depths of the underworld, creating an eerie and mysterious ambiance, setting the mood for the wicked world of Oz. The music serves as a haunting reminder of the complexity and depth that lies beneath the surface of what we see, drawing the audience into a realm where perceptions are challenged and the lines between good and evil become blurred.
The characters make their grand entrance, donning the most stunning and breathtaking outfits. The costumes in Wicked truly embody a fusion of fantasy, Steampunk, and contemporary fashion. They are each a masterpiece, with intricate detailing and a delightful mix of modern and vintage-inspired designs, the blending of different styles is superb. Each costume is a testament to the boundless creativity and imagination of the production team.
Lighting design plays a crucial role in bringing the story of Wicked to life. It sets the mood, enhances the dramatic scenes, and helps create those unique and surprising moments throughout the show. The choice of lighting is carefully crafted to reflect the different moods and emotions of the characters, illuminating them, highlighting their inner struggles, growth, and transformation. For example, in the song "Defying Gravity," when Elphaba takes flight, the lighting design creates a breathtaking moment as she soars above the stage, bathed in a magical glow. Lighting in Wicked is not only a technical aspect, but it's also an artistic tool that adds to the storytelling.
Equally, the sound design creates a sense of atmosphere, emotion, and intensity throughout the show. One example of how sound is used in an artistic way is during the song "No Good Deed", as Elphaba embraces her identity as the Wicked Witch of the West, the sound design intensifies, with powerful vocals, soaring orchestrations, and dynamic sound effects. The combination of these elements creates a chilling and dramatic moment, capturing the emotional journey of the character and drawing the audience even deeper into the story.
The impressive mechanical dragon marionette is at the centre of the Wicked set design and with his wings outstretched, he looks down at the audience. It is the all-powerful time dragon, capable of telling the secrets, past, present, and future. The set is shaped into the internal workings of a clock and is both symbolic and visually stunning. The puppeteers operating the dragon manoeuvre it seamlessly, breathing life into the overall set design, adding to the mystery of this visual spectacle.
It takes a village to make a production of this calibre come to life. Browsing through the glossy program and production credits, page after page lists all the people involved, each playing an important role. From the cast and crew to the production team, musicians to the set designers, costume makers, wig designers, and stagehands, the collective effort makes me appreciate the level of coordination required for a project of this scale. The Australian choice of leads worked well. Courtney Monsma was the bubbly Glinda, with great comedic timing and vocal range. She portrayed the necessary level of glamour, confidence, and self-centredness for this character. Sheridan Adams was made for her role as Elphaba, with her deep sense of justice, intelligence, kindness and strong-willed nature. Robyn Nevin was terrific as Madame Morrible. She was believably deceptive and manipulative, quite a character. Fiyero was played by Liam Head. He was natural in this role, carefree, confident, and charming. Simon Burke played The Wizard. He possessed qualities such as power, charisma and a touch of mischief as well as a deep understanding of magic and its complexities. Nessarose was played by Shewit Belay who did a great job at showing vulnerability, and later her struggle with power and control, leaving the audience conflicted with feelings of sympathy tension as her complex character unfolded. The leads had strong voices, and were beautifully supported by the ensemble, dancers, and orchestra.
This was my first time experiencing Wicked, and it won’t be the last. The way the story reveals itself, starting from the present and then delving into the past, you learn things throughout the evening that completely shift your perspective on the narrative of Wicked and who is truly ‘wicked’. Armed with the knowledge I have now, I know I would appreciate it even more next time.
This show makes you forget about the outside world for a few hours and immerses you into an imaginary world of dragons, flying monkeys, talking animals, witches, and wizards. It is breathtakingly beautiful and carries important messages about the importance of embracing our differences and celebrating individuality. The show encourages us to look beyond appearances and stereotypes, and to recognize that there are always multiple sides to every story. It also highlights the significance of friendship, loyalty, and the choices we make in shaping our destinies. Wicked reminds us that we have the power to defy expectations and stand up for what we believe in, even in the face of adversity.
Wicked is playing at the Regent Theatre, Collins Street Melbourne, until 30th of June
Reviewed by Irena Begelfor
