For the Lover Of: Not So Wicked After All

We're off to see the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz... (Or is he?)

I've always loved the Wizard of Oz; Dorothy being the main character, she pulls at your heart strings with her youth, beauty and innocence. The film is based around her and we follow her on her adventure.

There were two witches, Glinda the Good Witch of the South and Elphaba who we know as the Wicked Witch of the West. We never questioned anything about these two characters other than they represented good and bad.

Last night I went to see the Irish premiere of Wicked: The Musical with my other half and Nan. I was quite excited as it was the first showing of the two month production in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, the first! (I know, I’m a big kid).

My excitement proved me right and I was not let down by my expectations as this show is absolutely amazing! From the set, sound, colours popping, beautifully and creatively designed costumes, just fabulous!

And then there were the characters, the two main ones, Glinda and Elphaba. This was the untold story of the Witches of Oz...

Glinda and Elphaba have history and it goes a long way back to when they were students. Elphaba was born, well... green! Her sister Nessarose wasn’t green but was in a wheelchair and Elphaba felt very protective of her as if it was her fault.

Elphaba was a gentle soul who loved animals and just wanted to be like everyone else, to fit in and be popular...

Madame Morrible, the headmistress, wanted to teach Elphaba one on one, much to Elphaba’s delight. Madame Morrible knew there was something magical and special in Elphaba... Elphaba decided that she wished for Glinda to join her also. The pair became roommates and so their friendship began...

As with all fairytales, there’s a handsome young man and in this story, it was Figero. Glinda wanted him as her Prince Charming and of course they looked like the perfect couple. Figero however wasn’t as superficial as he made out to be and seen the softness in Elphaba. Her hard exterior to protect her vulnerability was broken down as she fell for Figero as did he for her...

Elphaba was “chosen” by Madame Morrible to meet the Wizard of Oz and this was all she ever wanted. She knew she was always different and she felt that her dream of meeting the Wizard would justify why... She asked Glinda to accompany her on her journey to the Emerald City.

Upon reaching their destination, Elphaba immediately felt as if she fitted in; for the Emerald City was indeed emerald and Elphaba’s green appearance blended in only too well...

Elphaba’s encounter with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz was not at all what she expected. She was disappointed as he never really was magic and it was all pretence. He and Madame Morrible had planned to set up Elphaba because of the powers she beheld and as she refused to be tricked, they proclaimed to the people of Oz that she was wicked...

She loved her sister Nessarose, Glinda and Figero but took on the wicked persona as she felt she had no choice. Glinda was upset that her dream man loved someone else and she set out to get revenge on Elphaba...

Figero believed in the real Elphaba and when Glinda eventually realised that they were meant to be together, that her own love for Figero was unrequited and she was not that girl, she decided to help Elphaba but it was all too late...

The Land of Oz had turned against Elphaba and the only way to kill her was to throw water over her. Trying to rescue Elphaba from the witch hunters; Figero was caught.

Elphaba wanted Glinda to carry on with the ‘wicked lie’ and learn to take over the magic in order to continue from where she left off...

Before the departure of Elphaba, she has a lovely scene with her best friend Glinda as they share a special bond that can never be broken.

Assuming Figero is dead and Elphaba must die, Glinda reluctantly bids farewell to her best friend...

The magic of this untold story is that we’re led to believe the Wicked Witch is dead... But to our surprise and disbelief she had to cast a spell with her powers to be with Figero forever...

Figero was now the Scarecrow, the cub (from the beginning of the show) was now the Lion and Boq (the munchkin whose heart was broken by Glinda) was now the Tinman!

All will become clear when you see this spectacular show... I know you’re intrigued but it all makes sense in the end... And as for the Wizard... he was Elphaba’s father all along! I know, mad!!

This show was definitely magical and spellbinding to watch... It was definitely wicked but the witch was not... Never judge a book by its cover, especially if it’s green!