Wicked the Musical

[MirrorrorriM]

Went yesterday. Am I alone in thinking it's not all that? Ok, the performances and dancing were good (the two lead actresses had amazing voices) but the plot was weak and a lot of the songs were meh.

At the end though the audience all leapt to their feet like it was the most incredible thing they'd ever seen. It's got nothing in Matilda or The Lion King IMO and I didn't see a standing ovation at those. I guess it's personal taste but I think I must really be missing something here. Both my DC agreed with me though.

And don't get me started on the constant chat / noise / fidgeting / noisy eating and drinking in the audience (adults as well as kids). I know it's a kids show but I've been to pantomimes with quieter audiences.

I loved Wicked, I even have the soundtrack in my car! I have seen it twice.

I agree with you OP. I also loved Matilda and The Lion King. I suppose everyone just have different tastes.

My biggest disappointment was The Book of Mormon I expected it to be hilarious. I just didn't find it that funny. To me it was like the writers just said what's the most offensive things we can say. I wasn't offended by it as I knew that was the point. But most people don't seem to agree with me and loved it.

@SissySpacekAteMyHamster Book of Mormon - now you're talking!🤣

I love Wicked but I think it has dated a bit.

I don't actually think its a kids show. When I say it almost 10 years ago Rachel Tucker and Lee Mead sang As Long As You're Mine in a very sensual, sexual way. There was a real sexual frission which relates to the original book.

Of course it is Kidsweek so there will be more kids than usual in the audience. I think it has become a bit tired recently.

I'm off to Mormon tonight (for the third time). I love it but tonight's visit was a last minute unplaned visit due to ds being offered an increible opportunity on the tour.

I love wicked and want to go and see it again but was also disappointed by Matilda, I felt as if I was waiting for the wow moment that never came!

Thanks forevercurious, maybe you and I have the same tastes

No good songs? Did you miss Defying Gravity, Popular, For Good?

I'm surprised by this too. I haven't even seen the show yet, just listened to the soundtrack and already can't get Popular, As Long As You're Mine or No Good Deed out of my head. Defying Gravity is an absolute belter. And What is this Feeling makes me laugh. The lyrics are really clever.

I'll report back in a few weeks after I've seen it ...

Wicked was average for me. Loved Matilda.

The best musical I have seen is Hairspray

I used to live with one of the actresses who played Glinda

That said, it wasn’t my fave either..... going back some, but Rent was my most amazing show. I’d love to see that again!

dd and I saw it last year and were both very underwhelmed, unfortunately. We've much preferred School of Rock, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Mamma Mia! I was so disappointed, as even with School Week it's such a lot of money to spend, you really want to feel 'wowed' by what you see.

I LOVE wicked. I’ve seen it several times now and have the soundtrack

I honestly think Wicked suffers in that huge theatre. It’s strangely soulless and really noisy. I think that makes it harder to get sucked into the story. I think a smaller more intimate venue might make the whole thing far more enjoyable - defying gravity is brilliant though
I enjoyed it but I’m not sure I’d go again.
I loved Matilda but I thought Groundhog day was much much better yet it didn’t survive the trip to USA
(Nothing beats Hamilton though)

My jaw is DROPPED by this thread!!! 😂

Hated every minute of the screechy show - and I love a musical!!

I really enjoyed it but I saw it on tour last year at our local theatre. The scenery and costumes were amazing. I liked the little nods to the wizard of Oz. It has some really catchy songs and two strong female leads. I love the clues that Fiyero gives in his songs. The story isn’t always the strongest but it’s well put together

I fell asleep 15 minutes in and slept through

I loved itm saw it twice.

A friend of mine is in west end shows so I get cheapish tickets as long as I go see whatever he is in

I found it very underwhelming I don’t get the cult status at all

It’s the only play/musical I’ve ever left during the interval - all 4 of us sat with our jaws open at the horrendous screeching. No idea how any one can sit through it, hated the songs, story (what we saw of it) seemed weak and my god did I mention the screeching? Someone mentioned that defying gravity song upthread - I’m almost clawing my ears off at the memory
And do you know, I’m not even sure if it’s in the first half of the play but I hear the song and the screeching together!
So no op, it wasn’t for us either but every single person I’ve ever met in real life loved it so we are in the minority.
There’s something for everyone afterall!

My god I loved it....
Been to see 3 times over the years...the song gravity gives me goose bumps

I thought it was dreadful!

Another Wicked disliker here.
Of the songs I can only remember Defying Gravity but didn't think think it a brilliant 1st act closer.

Daughters (then in their late teens) loved it though.

Sometimes I love reading MN because it reminds me that people are just so different. I absolutely loved Wicked. The songs, staging, links to the Wizard of Oz story. Loved it. Agree with a PP I don’t think it’s particularly a kid’s show. In fact I think it’s quite dark in places.

Just have to comment on this thread because...well...(cough...username)

I love Wicked (obvs) - although not actually my favourite, I think it’s really clever and the score is lovely.

Was bored stiff by Matilda which is rather awkward since Tim Minchin is an old friend of mine

I went with a friend, wasn’t my first choice of show. I didn’t enjoy it. I’ve never seen the wizard of oz and wasn’t familiar with the story, I struggled to follow the plot to be honest..

I recently saw Jesus Christ Superstar, again I struggled with what was happening in the first half, just seemed to be lots of random songs strung together. The diction and sound quality wasn’t great so was very hard to make out the words of the songs. Second half was much better, very well staged.

Also agree Wicked is not actually a kids’ show - it’s definitely more sophisticated than Wizard of Oz. My five year old loves the songs and asks to listen to it all the time but really could not get his head around the story when he saw it and got a bit bored. My seven year old absolutely loved it and has seen it twice, but he did need rather a lot of recapping of plot points (they saw it about a year ago).

I loved it!!!! Adore the music too. Sorry