Thursday 26 June 2014

It Was Wicked

Eleanor and I went to see Wicked at Leeds Grand Theatre last night and I can report that it was wicked.


I didn't know very much about this musical at all, other than that it was about the two witches from The Wizard of Oz. I thought the time line was prior to what happened in the well known film, however, part of the story runs parallel with it and other characters such a the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow pop up too. The story is about the friendship between Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Nikki Davis Jones and Emily Tierney who took on these two roles were fabulous together with great on stage chemisty. The whole production was a spectacle, a brilliant story, incredible acting, wonderful dancing, fabulous costumes and an electric atmosphere.

This isn't a show that I've looked forward to seeing. The tickets were bought over a year ago but only because it's a production which Eleanor's wanted to see for a long time. I often enjoy things more when I haven't been looking forward to them, and that applies in this instance. The Wicked tour is continuing around the country and if you can get hold of tickets, I can thoroughly recommend the show. I wish I was going to see it again.

28 comments:

  1. Good to see that you enjoyed it! Flighty xx

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    1. It was fabulous. Mick didn't fancy it so didn't come with us this time, but I think he'd have enjoyed it actually.

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  2. I am going next week. I am soooooo excited. Firstly, I couldn't find anyone else who wanted to see it (or pay the price for a ticket). Then accidentally I met a friend for lunch who was going with her family so I shamlessly begged to go with them. Now it's a larger group of people going - I so can not wait. Whoop.

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    1. You lucky thing, I wish I was going again, you'll love it. There's loads of funny bits in it, and Defying Gravity right before the interval is spine tingling. It is expensive to go to the theatre these days which is such a shame as I'd go so much more if it was a bit cheaper. It also means that some people are unable to afford the experience of live theatre, which is very sad. I actually use vouchers I earn from scanning my shopping each week for theatre trips which makes it a bit more affordable.

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    2. I agree about it being too expensive. I wanted to see the Lion King in Bradford but tickets were more than what i paid when I went to London to see it (and I had good seats in London!). I think it's sad when it gets so expensive you can no longer afford to go to the theatre. Next time I can't find someone who wants to see a show in Leeds - I'm going to ask you!!!!

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    3. Eleanor and I love going to see musicals, we've been to quite a few over the last couple of years, and Eleanor's seen a couple in London too as well as seeing some others in Leeds with school. It's great that Eleanor loves these type of shows as much as I do as it means I always have someone to go with.

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  3. I never fancied seeing this one either but everyone I know who has seen it says it's brilliant. We saw the eagles on Monday evening and it was amazing. I love seeing live shows x

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    1. I'd recommend this show to anyone, it's brilliant. Mick didn't come with us as he didn't fancy it either, but I know he'd have loved it too now. Glad you enjoyed The Eagles, I too love live shows but they're just so expensive.

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  4. Sounds like you had a good time, Jo. :o)

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    1. We had a fabulous time. I'd go again if I could.

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  5. How nice to see a show together! I've never been especially excited to see Wicked myself but I know a lot of people love it. I'm glad to hear you liked it after all, maybe I'll be able to see it someday soon.

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    1. Eleanor and I are real musical lovers so we love going to the theatre, it's nice to have a common interest and spend time together like this. I'm sure you'd love Wicked if you saw it, it's not what I was expecting at all, so so much better.

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  6. That last sentence sums up what must have been a great shared experience with Eleanor. Glad you both enjoyed it.

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    1. We both loved it. I wouldn't hesitate in booking for it again, it's a fabulous show.

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  7. I like the songs I've heard from Wicked and it is definitely on the Princess's play list. Glad you enjoyed it!

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    1. Defying gravity is sung right before the interval and is a show stopper. If you're fans of The Wizard of Oz, you'd love Wicked.

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  8. It is funny sometimes when you are not in anticipation of something that it turns out to be really good isn't it. I think that perhaps because you don't go with any preconceived ideas or hopes you are more open to the experience and get more joy from it. Whatever the case I am glad that you enjoyed it, wanting to go again is always a good sign!!! xx

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    1. I think going without any preconceived ideas is the key to enjoying something, definitely. You don't have raised expectations and you're able to enjoy it for what it is. I'm glad it turned out to be so good, I'd definitely see it again.

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  9. Hi Jo

    I went to see this last year as my big birthday treat and thought it was fantastic. I have since been reading the book by Gregory Maguire and I wish I had read it before I went to see the show because parts of the show now make a lot more sense than they did at the time. Happy to lend to Eleanor if she would like to read it.

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    1. It's a brilliant show, isn't it? I was reading something about the book yesterday and noticed that there's a few differences in it to the show. Thank you for the offer but I doubt Eleanor would read the book, she's not a big reader at all and chooses what she reads very carefully, but thanks anyway.

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    2. No problem. Daughter raided my book shelf for a couple of books to take on holiday with her tomorrow but if I were a betting women I would say they will probably come back unread. Especially as she's just started the third in the Hunger Games trilogy. Her hair when I picked her up yesterday is now blond streaks she fancied a change she said. But like you at least it's not piercings and tattoos we do have to thankful for small mercies don't we. :-)

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    3. Daniel's reading The Hunger Games Trilogy, well, he's probably finished them now, he took them back to uni with him. Your daughter's hair sounds lovely and those blonde streaks will pick up the sun whilst she's away.

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  10. I'm so glad you enjoyed it so much so you'd like to see it again!
    It's one that all of us would like to see, maybe one day.
    Lisa x

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    1. I think you'd all enjoy it. I don't really know what I was expecting but it was definitely different to what I thought, I loved it.

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  11. Glad you liked the show. My daughter saw it here in Oz, some years ago I think and thoroughly enjoyed it. I love musicals, but have only been to a handful. Have a good weekend and take care.

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    1. We're huge fans of musicals in our house, even Mick enjoys them, though he does pick and choose which ones he wants to see. He wasn't bothered about seeing Wicked but I think he'd have enjoyed it.

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  12. It's something I would like to see, I have friends who loved it! My family are going to watch The Lion King tonight, without me, can you believe it! I think I should book to see Wicked to compensate for missing out. :)

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    1. You should definitely book to see Wicked, can't have you missing out on a trip to the theatre. I haven't seen The Lion King, only the short show in Disneyland in Florida, but I really enjoyed that so I bet I would like the full show. I hope your family enjoy seeing it tonight.

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