Returning to the Emerald City!

I couldn't have been happier when Wicked came to Leeds in June 2014! The UK and Ireland Tour began last September at Manchester's Palace Theatre and Wicked will continue being on the road until next year.  I saw the London production three times during 2012 and 2013 at the Apollo Victoria.  I saw the tour production at the Leeds Grand Theatre on the second night of its opening.  Wicked is a very popular musical internationally with its strong fan base.  This is reflected  as to why tickets are selling very fast at its tour venues!

 Arrival for Wicked at Leeds Grand Theatre (June 2014)

Wicked is based on the original novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, published in 1995.  Winnie Holzman wrote the book Wicked specifically for the musical.  Stephen Schwartz's thematic musical score sells the show with its witty and colourful lyrics.  The staging of Wicked is supported by a host of talented designers including Wayne Cliento, Kenneth Posner, Tony Mesia and Elaine J McCarthy.

 Emily Tierney (Glinda) and Nikki Davis-Jones (Elphaba)

Photo Credit: Matt Crockett

(www.wickedtour.co.uk)

Wicked is about an unlikely friendship between Elphaba (Nikki Davis-Jones), known as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda (Emily Tierney), known as the Good Witch of the North.  With their contrasting personalities both Elphaba and Glinda share their story amongst their love interest rivalry and the unstable OZ government which shaped their fates.  Wicked is synonymously known as the prequel with L. Frank Baum's magical and imaginative story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) and 1939's movie, The Wizard of Oz.

 Emily Tierney (Glinda) and Nikki Davis-Jones (Elphaba)

Photo Credit: Matt Crockett

(www.wickedtour.co.uk)

 
I love Wizard of Oz and I adore Wicked! I usually not into those stories genres but Wicked has cast its magic spell on me with its amazing story; memorable musical numbers such as Popular, I'm Not The Girl, Defying Gravity, As Long As You're Mine and For Good; and great staging!  Nikki Davis-Jones and Emily Tierney lead a talented cast on this tour including Carina Gillespie (Nessarose), George Ure (Boq), Marilyn Cutts (Madame Morrible), Liam Doyle (Fiyero) and Dave Rapley (Doctor Diallamond and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz).

 UK and Ireland Tour Cast

Photo Credit: Matt Crockett
(www.wickedtour.co.uk)

It's the best production I've seen so far on my Wicked journey.  I highly recommend one and all a visit to the Emerald City.  Tour information is available via its official website.

Sources: Wicked Official Uk Tour, Matt Crockett, Leeds Grand Theatre, House Programme