Wicked is continuing to build after its most successful year ever and is bringing in not one but two new witches! Current witches Alexia Khadime (Elphaba) and Dianne Pilkington (Glinda) leave the show on a record breaking high note and will play their final performances on Saturday 27 March 2010. Bound to be a very emotional evening!
(If you want tickets for this one you must act fast – Click through to see if there are Wicked theatre breaks available for Alexia and Diane’s final performance. By the way there’s a Free Hotel Offer on weekday Wicked Theatre Breaks until the end of March)

Wicked

Rachel Tucker as Elphaba

I’m a big fan of Rachel Tucker. I thought she had a great voice when she was in I’d Do Anything and I absolutely loved her in We Will Rock You. She was playing Meat the night I saw her but I believe she made a great success of the lead role, Scaramouche, on the few occasions she got to play it. Rachel will join Wicked as the new Elphaba and I can’t wait to hear her sing “Defying Gravity”. The voice and the song should combine beautifully and give us yet another interpretation of a great standard. So as one Nancy (Jodie) bows out the West End will see another graduate of the I’d Do Anything programme take centre stage. Perhaps this will convince the critics that reality casting shows do actually uncover worthwhile talent. Don’t hold your breath!

Like Kerry Ellis, a previous much loved Elphaba, Rachel will bring her own loyal fan base to the show and no doubt to this post. Hi all

Oz Trivia – Rachel is no stranger to Oz having played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre.

Louise Dearman as Glinda

Louise joins the cast of Wicked as Glinda. She’s been widely acclaimed in her lead role in the touring production of Evita. It will be interesting to see what she makes of the role of Glinda and how she stamps her own personality on it. Louise’s voice is described by her agents as: pure, melting soprano voice, with a surprisingly strong belt.
Having listened to a sample I have to agree, lovely! But don’t just rely on my judgment have a listen for yourself:

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Wicked Theatre Breaks Winter Offer

Wicked theatre breaks - Land of Oz

Wicked is always a popular choice for theatre breaks but it’s extra special at this witchy time of year. Why not book a Halloween special treat with a difference this year and try a Wicked theatre break?

The Story of Wicked

The story of Wicked isn’t as straightforward as you might suppose. The tale of the two witches and how one came to be evil and the other good has a few surprises for you along the way. I’m really not going to say more than that as I don’t want to give too much away!

Full of spectacular special effects Wicked is a great introduction to musicals for younger fans. Some of it is quite dark and scary but then most children enjoy that anyway.

Staying in London with Children

It’s a bit of a nightmare trying to travel home with tired children after a long show. This is where booking a whole package really pays off but don’t fall into the trap of booking a hotel miles away from the theatre.

If you look closely at the hotel listing you will usually see a distance from theatre. Go for the one nearest if at all possible. Taking tired children on the underground late at night is no fun at all and should be avoided at all costs!If you are staying further out then a black cab is the best, safest and easiest option.

Special Offer on Wicked Theatre Breaks

There’s a special offer on Wicked theatre breaks this winter with Show and Stay. There is £20 off  Wicked theatre breaks to be taken in October and November 2009 if you book between now and November 2nd.

**  book Wicked Theatre Breaks Online **

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Wicked Theatre Breaks

Anybody in London for a Wicked theatre break in the past three weeks will have had the opportunity to see Alexia Khadime as Elphaba, the green witch with the big songs. Alexia replaced Kerry Ellis who went to play the role on Broadway until December when she returns to the West End. Now Kerry Ellis was a big act to follow, having gathered a huge pack of devoted fans during her time in London, but Alexia is proving to have unique qualities which bring a fresh approach to the acting and she’s rapidly building a loyal support base of her own. The two tribes will each advocate for their favourite at any given opportunity and the result can be anything from unkind to insightful.

Alexia Khadime as Elphaba

Here’s the popular video from theatre breaks youTube which shows what Alexia can do, out of costume, solo and live at West End Live 2009, the popular theatre festival event in London’s Leicester Square

(it takes a few moments to get going)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Alexia’s a really good singer and and a really good actress, she has the best Elphaba interpretation I’ve seen.

She is amazing! Cute yet powerful voice! Very well done! I am also a big fan of Kerry’s? and her! So amazing!

** Book Wicked theatre breaks in London **

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Wicked Theatre Breaks to see the new cast

Wicked theatre breaks are perfect for families. This summer is likely to be a busy time for Wicked theatre breaks, especially as Show and Stay have a special offer on at the moment.

** Wicked Theatre Breaks from £81.50pp with Show and Stay – ** book now **

Wicked Theatre Breaks – who’s in the new cast?

Wicked is one of those shows that inspire a lot of loyalty. Fans like to keep up to date with cast changes and see the show again and again. Having said “Goodbye” to Kerry Ellis,(I thought she was brilliant as Elphaba but it seems Alexia Khadime is developing quite a following too!) Wicked is ready to welcome some more new cast members.

The revised Wicked cast includes:

• Alexia Khadime (Elphaba),
• Dianne Pilkington (Glinda),
• Oliver Tompsett (Fiyero),
• Sam Kelly (The Wizard),
• Harriet Thorpe (Madame Morrible)
• Natalie Anderson (Nessarose)
• Alex Jessop (Boq),
• David Stoller (Doctor Dillamond),
• Ashleigh Gray (Standby for Elphaba)
• Sarah Earnshaw (Standby for Glinda),

Wicked Theatre Breaks – a birthday outing

Wicked theatre breaks are a great choice for family groups or , if you are feeling generous, a perfect birthday treat for your teenage or even pre-teen daughter and maybe 3 of her best mates. You might think I’m nuts suggesting taking a group of teenage girls to London but they, and you, will have the best time and they’ll never forget it! There’s no mess to clear up afterwards. She probably won’t expect much of a present. And her ‘cool score’ at school will go off the Richter Scale! (So will your cool parent score!)

The show is an ideal choice for a themed birthday treat. You just have to make sure they have a cash limit for goodies from the foyer of Wicked! CDs, books, T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs and even Glinda’s wand make great presents. Stock them up with fruit juice drinks and try to avoid too much popcorn, all that sugar will make it even harder for them to sleep!

Talking of sleep, did you realise you could get a family room? Some of the hotels offer great deals so 2 adults could take 4 girls and just pay for 2 rooms! Just rope in another mum to lend a hand or even better (younger = more energy!) someone’s big sister and you’re set.

Other things to do on a Wicked theatre Break

So you’ve got your tickets, you’ve hopefully booked your train at the same time (save up to 40% that way), and you’ve unpacked. Now what?

Luckily Show and Stay offer some great extras you can book at the same time as the theatre break. With teenage girls, or even pre-teens, my first choice would be the London Eye fast track. You spend far less time waiting around, the girls get to see the sights without getting bored and there’s plenty of time left for hitting the shops.

Now, I know they are teenagers, or think they are, but I love Hamleys and they will too! Got to take their photos with those giant teddy bears and then head inside for some serious shopping. And you thought it was a toy shop? Did you not know it has one of the biggest collections of Hello Kitty merchandise in the country? Pah! Just make sure they save some money for Top Shop!

Food, quick, all that shopping takes it’s toll! Where else but Planet Hollywood? Of course, if you are sneaky, you’ll have booked a bargain pre-theatre dinner there when you booked the show.

Then it’s off to see Wicked. Afterwards if they (and you) are not too exhausted it can be worth hanging about round the stage door. The Wicked stars know their audience and they rarely disappoint them. Often programmes are signed, smiles and even the occasional chat is possible. If you are really lucky photos with cast members might be taken. Especially if they know there’s a birthday girl around.

Back at the hotel try to persuade them it’s bed time. Good luck with that

Wicked Theatre Breaks – The Last Day

Next morning try a stroll through Chinatown. If they’ve any money left there’s more (but possibly less authentic) Hello Kitty stuff around plus other wonderfully tacky London souvenirs that won’t break the bank.

Covent Garden’s good fun to wander round too. if you’re after a cheap and cheerful lunch, (and you’ve any money left!) the West Country Pasty shop is good value and has somewhere to sit and watch the world go by too. (You could, just possibly, leave them there and slip upstairs to the bar for a quick and sustaining G&T- did I say that? Moi?)

Then it’s off to catch your train. You might be lucky and they’ll fall asleep on the way home. After all they probably didn’t sleep much in the hotel. If not they can look at all their wonderful photos on their phones, while you doze off!

Behind the Scenes at Wicked

Oliver Tompsett, who plays Fiyero, takes us behind the scenes of Wicked

** Book before 15 June 2009 and enjoy an unforgettable hotel and theatre package from just £81.50pp**

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Alexia Khadime (Elphaba),
Dianne Pilkington (Glinda),
Oliver Tompsett (Fiyero), Sam Kelly (The Wizard), Harriet Thorpe (Madame Morrible)
Natalie Anderson (Nessarose)
Alex Jessop (Boq),
David Stoller (Doctor Dillamond),
Ashleigh Gray (Standby for Elphaba)
Sarah Earnshaw (Standby for Glinda),

Ensemble: Karen Aspinall, Lee Bridgeman, Sabrina Carter, Aileen Donohoe, A C Garcia, Clare Halse, Lauren James Ray, Keeley Jane Jackson, Arran Knight, Danny Mac, Mitchell Mahony, Sean Needham, Buchi Osuji, Sean Parkins, Caroline Rovina, Pharic Scott, Gregor Stewart, Lindsay Taylor, Chloe Taylor, Michelle Theunissen, Emily Tierney, Jennifer Tierney, Hannah Toy, George Ure, Sam Wilmott and Gary Wood.

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Wicked has a new Wicked Witch of the East, Natalie Anderson (best known for her appearances on ITV in The Royal) will take over the role in May.

Natalie will play Nessarose, Elphaba’s a spoilt, wheelchair-bound, younger sister. Nessarose grows up to be the witch who’s flattened under Dorothy’s house in The Wizard of Oz.

Natalie’s first lead role was in Alice In Wonderland at Bradford Playhouse, aged 12. She was working on a film called Freight when she was offered the Wicked role.

“My agent rang saying I’d got an audition in London,” she said. “I went down and they asked me back next day. It happened so fast and because I was busy filming I had hardly any time to prepare. I was learning my lines on the train! I hadn’t even seen the show when I auditioned, but I’ve seen it since. It’s amazing.”

Best known as Nurse Stella Davenport in The Royal,Natalie left the show last year.She launched her singing career after quite recently with the release of her debut album, Return to Me.

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Wicked is Spellbinding

Originally uploaded by Andyrob

Wicked Theatre Breaks in London can be planned right up until April 2010 now since the global hit musical has just announced an extension to the WIcked booking period at the Apollo Victoria theatre in the West End.

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Wicked Spoiler Alert – aspects of the plot revealed below – do not read if you haven’t seen Wicked!

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports on a recent interview with the author of the book that Wicked is based on, Gregory Maguire.

Maguire is on a book signing tour to romote his new novel, “A Lion Among Men,” the third in his darkly political books about Oz. He’s seen Wicked many times and members of the cast of the local production were able to ask him a few interesting questions:

From Cliffton Hall (Fiyero):

Q. How and why did you come up with the concept of “Wicked”?

A. Living in London during the first Gulf War, I observed how often the name Hitler was used to describe Saddam Hussein and how poisonous and terrifying a word like Hitler is. I began to think about evil and the way we feel compelled to besmirch our enemies and dehumanize them in order to give ourselves the authority to kill them. This is not to say that I thought Saddam Hussein wasn’t a villain.

“The Wizard of Oz” was just a convenient armature on which to hang my worries and my thoughts about scapegoating.

source

Wicked Spoiler Alert – Look Away Now!

Q. If there was one character or scene in the stage play you could change, what would it be and why?

A. What a good, good, good question. “Wicked” is so popular that there isn’t any surprise that at the end of the play the witch [Elphaba] survives. [She dies in Maguire’s novel]. After five years, I think it’s common knowledge.

I would have loved to see them try the play just one evening where she doesn’t come back and Glinda is left to hug her memory alone. I would have loved to see what the audience does with that. I wouldn’t have asked them to change it forever.

So now you know. I think Wicked would be a much darker, scarier story if Maguire’s change was made. Would it still be as popular? I’m not sure. what do you think? Would Wicked still have the same magic?

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Considering Wicked Theatre Breaks

People considering Wicked Theatre breaks know they’re going to love the show, with many having seen it before, being note-for-note familiar with the song “defying gravity” and big fans of various incarnation of Elphaba and Glinda. The thing about Wicked is that you either get it or you don’t, and the maximum appreciation might come from going to the theatre with a small group of friends who all just love it. Of course there are many couples who might be lucky and both have the same taste, including Wicked, so the popular romantic theatre break weekend is also a good reason why this spectacular production goes on and on in London and six other world cities.

Three hours of Wicked Green Goodness!

At 2hrs 50mins with a 15 minute interval Wicked is one of the longer London shows and the Apollo is a big old 1930s theatre so by the time everybody is seated and so on, the total time you spend in the Victoria area takes up a long evening. The last thing you want after that is a long journey home, which is why Wicked Theatre Breaks with inclusive overnight London hotel stays are usually the best way to plan and book tickets. When booking for whichever dates you have chosen, you will then be presented with the hotel options and here are some suggestions which may help with making that decision:

Hotels for Wicked Theatre Breaks

* Hesperia London Victoria – slap bang opposite the theatre
* Crowne Plaza London St James – just around the corner

These are both four star hotels that include a full English breakfast, just a very short walk from the Wicked theatre.

Alternatively you could save around £10-15 discount per person by opting for one of the Travelodge three star hotels, but then you would either have to spend the savings on a black cab or else catch a tube to Euston or Kings Cross. That may be fine if you just want to get away back home the next morning but why not make a proper break out of it and stay in London for the day to see the sights. Check out the possibility of staying an extra night or two, it can be well worth it.

Wicked Theatre Breaks for small groups

Last time I went to see Wicked there were clearly a number of small groups, particularly young women, going out to the theatre together and obviously having a fantastic night out. With these kind of Wicked theatre breaks, the excitement just builds with the numbers. For the hotel stay, any number can work with a combination of triple and twin bedded rooms. Six is a great number because then you can go for two triple rooms, but if you have two people under 15 in your party then you might be able to snag a Family (2 + 2) room bargain.

Wicked Video Clips

I’ve chosen a couple of video clips, the first coming from TV when members of the cast of London Wicked performed for the Royal Variety Performance in 2006, featuring Idina Menzel as Elphaba & Helen Dallimore as Glinda. The wizard was Nigel Planer (introducing ) and Miriam Margolyes played Madam Morrible. Note this is not the current London Wicked cast, which changes again in December with the return of Kerry Ellis from Broadway.

The second video is from the Japanese version of Wicked which I find fascinating as a change from the UK and US editions.

** book London Wicked Theatre Breaks **

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A theatre break in London with the kids sounds like a great idea, doesn’t it? There’s so much to do and see in London, even in a British summer. The hotels aren’t too expensive and you can book the whole thing, show tickets, 2 or 3 nights hotel, extras as an all in one package, you can even include the return rail fare. If your children are over the age of 3 you should be able to find a show to suit your family.

So which shows do you go to see?

It really depends on the age of the children and their interests.
Don’t be put off by worries that the shows will all be sold out, companies that sell packages often have good, reasonably priced tickets for hit shows when no one else does.

The Lion King

The Lion King is pure Disney and one of the best shows for mixed ages. The Lion King is so much more than the cartoon. The story is simple and familiar but the spectacle and the power of the live music makes it really something special. Ideal for boys, girls, and just about anyone who likes animals!It is long though and that partly explains the age restrictions (see below).

• Running Time: 2 hours 45 minutes including the interval
• Matinees: Sunday – 3:pm Weds – 2:30pm and Sat 2:00
• Evenings: Shows start at 7:30 except Mondays (no show)
• Recommended age limit

Ideal for 7 plus, below 7 use your discretion but be realistic. Under 4s will not be admitted to the theatre. They are quite strict about this.

** book Lion King theatre breaks **

Joseph

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s version of the biblical story is a family classic. Good for mixed ages the show has plenty of action, strong, well-known songs and is performed by a lively, young cast. Joseph was originally written for children the show keeps their interest well but has enough going on to keep the adults involved too. If you want to see Lea Mead you should know he will be on holiday 28th July – 5th August 2008.

• Running time – 2 hours including interval.
• Matinees: Weds and Sat 3:00pm
• Evenings: Mon, Weds, Thurs, Fri, Sat, 7:30 Tues 7:00 (No show Sunday)

** book Joseph theatre breaks **

Wicked

Wicked is ideal for those of you with pre and early teen girls. They will love it! The story is set in Oz before Dorothy gets there and sets out to explain why Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of The West is so wicked and so very green. Wicked sets the record straight about that poor, misunderstood witch. It has some sinister moments but nothing too scary. There aren’t any stated age restrictions but use your judgement. It is very, very long.

• Running time: 2hrs 50mins including interval.
• Matinees:Weds,Sat 2:30
• Evenings:Mon, Tues, Weds,Thurs, Fri, Sat 7:30 (No show Sunday)

** book Wicked theatre breaks **

High School Musical

High School Musical – this is one that anyone between 8 and 16 will know more about than you do!Based on a hit TV series this is the story of Troy, a popular high school basketball star, and Gabriella, a shy, academically gifted newcomer, who discover they share a secret passion for singing. Lively, fun, and very American this is one that the kids (and the adults!) will either love or hate. This is the one they are likely to think is ‘cool’ to see and to brag about.

• Running time :2 hours 20 with interval
• Matinees: Sun, Weds and Sat 3:00
• Evenings: Tues, Weds, Thurs, Fri, Sat 7:30 (Monday – no show)

** book High School Musical theatre breaks **

Grease

We all know the story of Sandy the goody two-shoes from Australia who falls in love with bad boy Danny Zuko over the summer holiday and their reunion at Rydell High School. The songs from Grease are classics and they are sung with great energy by this lively cast. Best for 10 plus the story and music will appeal to both boys and girls. If you want to see Ray Quinn (X-Factor) remember he’s on holiday 19th-25th of August.

** book Grease theatre breaks **

Top Tips

• Try for aisle seats- so much easier!
• A bag of small, non-messy snacks (small bags of sliced apples,carrots, etc., little boxes of raisins) and juice cartons is a good idea. Minimise the sugar intake!
• Take small, wriggly people for regular walks.

The Shows To Avoid

• Despite the puppets Avenue Q is not suitable for under 15s and has adult themes.
• Billie Elliot includes a lot of language that makes it unsuitable for young children.

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