“Although it has been a hit in New York, it seems all too typical of the modern Broadway musical: efficient, knowing and highly professional but more like a piece of industrial product than something that genuinely touches the heart or mind...’Wicked’ lapses into knowingness and moralism...Worse still, the musical decides it has to make a public statement about the importance of sisterhood...Admittedly, the show is well performed.”
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“A solid West End favourite. We’re definitely not in Kansas anymore for this heartwarming prequel of ‘The Wizard of Oz’, showing us why the Wicked Witch of the West turned out to be such a meanie...It has some seriously heavyweight casting history...The show’s big banger is ‘Defying Gravity’...A must-see for anyone hoping to sample a modern musical classic.”
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“Unexpectedly witty, enjoyable though far from flawless...At times the show undoubtedly slips into the preachy, but mercifully Holzman's script keeps the gags coming...Schwartz's lyrics are occasionally touched with wit, but what he really specialises in are big gloopy power ballads that allow the two female leads to...soar...At times it's a bit of a mess - but it proves far more enjoyable than I had dared to hope, and deserves a wider audience than adolescent schoolgirls.”
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“Lucie Jones as Elphaba is amazing, her vocals are incredible...overall I personally think that Lucie [g]ave an outstanding performance...I give this production 5 stars, why didn’t I see it sooner!”
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“This stylish and bombastic musical still delivers, sailing over its patchy score thanks to a gravity-defying performance from its current leading lady Tucker...She's closely followed by Beck...The Tim Burton-inspired ensemble oscillate between the hypnotic and grotesque...As in classical ballet, this is all about the women and, even by previous lead Menzel's standards, they are in soaring form here.”
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“Schwartz’s score, arguably his best so far, is an ebullient mix of grandiose anthems and lyrical ballads while Winnie Holzman’s book expertly blends fairytale whimsy with broad moral issues. Much of the appeal of the story is our recognition of so many memorable characters...A fine ensemble company fizzes with Broadway pizzazz.”
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