Rachel and Louise Answer Fans Questions

A nice little video of Rachel and Louise answering some fans questions ahead of Wicked Day 2010.

Wicked UK Cast Recording PLEASE

There has been a lot of discussion about the possibility of a UK cast recording of WICKED and one of our regular readers - Jessica - has suggested it can't hurt to give them a push in the right direction.

We think this is an excellent idea and would therefore like everyone to write a short letter to the Apollo Victoria explaining why you'd love to purchase this CD. The theatre's address is:

Executive Producer, Michael McCabe
Apollo Victoria Theatre
Wilton Road
London
SW1V 1LL
England

If you post on any West End musical or WICKED forums you could encourage other fans of the show to do the same.

Maybe you have friends or neighbours that would like to see this dream become a reality but they can't be bothered to write themselves, if so you could get them to sign a petition and include it with your letter.

WICKED will never have a better Elphaba than our Rachel so surely now is the perfect time to release a UK cast recording of the show.

Legally Blonde have both a US and UK cast recording of their show so why not WICKED. There is nothing quite like having a CD of the cast you've enjoyed watching in the theatre to bring back those fantastic memories.

Rachel wont be flying accross Oz on her broomstick forever, so get writing.

Extra Half Term Matinee

Just a quick reminder that there is an extra matinee performance of WICKED on Thursday this week (28th October). I'm not sure whether Rachel will be in all 9 shows as that would be asking a lot, so it might be wise to phone the theatre before booking tickets to make sure.

Also, if you manage to get to WICKED DAY on Sunday 31st October at St.Pancras station we'd love to hear all about it.

Dan's Matinee Review

As noted below, two of our top correspondents were at Saturday's matinee. Both have written reviews -- here is Dan's:

WICKED 23.10.10

I'd been raving about Rachel to 2 friends from Peterborough who were Wicked fanatics and they have seen it 8 - 10 times already; BUT shockingly had still not seen Rachel. So after my reports that's she's the BEST Elphie lol they decided to come down for a weekend and see for themselves. - My friend Kris also surprised his niece with tickets as she had never seen it.

We got up at 6.30 !!! to get to the theatre as early as we could.
The lady from the box Office said that people queue from about 9am on saturdays for the front row £25. - what a lie... people were there from 7am. Luckily the last 5 tickets they had were the 5 that we needed and were for the matinee.

We got back to the theatre holding our breath and fingers crossed but yes Rachel was on... Louise was on holiday which I knew but also we had Danny Mac as Boq again and the guy who plays Doctor Dillamond was playing the Wizard.

As the first song started there were shocked whispers "it's Lee Mead!"
For some reason, Lee was on as one of the Ozians at the start. I realised that even though Lewis is supposed to be part of the ensemble i'd never seen him... so maybe too many people were off sick so Lee had a bit of extra work to do. I also spotted Cassie Compton (Nessa Rose) in that scene as well.

From the moment Sarah Earnshaw came down in her bubble I had a feeling that it would be one of her best, she really just WAS G(a)linda.

Before too long it was Rachels time to come in and she didn't disappoint, doing her first few lines with perfect comic timing. For the Wizard & I it was almost like I held my breath as I wanted her to be at her best so I could be smug to my friends lol.
She performed it very very well although I could tell she had a very slight cold - I also heard her do a few little coughs but only as she was SO close to me, they werent audible over the microphone.

Loathing was hilarious, they really got into that one!

When Lee Mead came on... me and my friends looked at each other with shocked faces... how do I put this politely... his trouser region... was...uh... well I dunno maybe he got the new Marks and Spencers male wonderbra... if you know what I mean. The funny thing was I've never seen him with a bigger grin on his face for the whole first few songs he did!

Popular was the best I've ever heard it, Sarah went crazy! Especially when she shouted BALLL GOWWWWNNNNN the second time, I really couldnt stop laughing!

I'm not that girl was so stunning and sensitive :)

Defying Gravity was brilliantly acted and full of passion and strength, if I'm being picky a couple of the big notes at the end were ever so slightly off, but hardly noticeable really, just because I've heard Rachel sing them when completely well and they're always so spot on!
It was quite annoying during the quieter bits as so many people in the audience were coughing! I was almost tempted to turn round and go "SHHHHHH". haha.

During the break my friends raved about Rachel telling me that yes I was right (always like to be haha)

For the second half, I always feel as if the acting gets intensified and it's a lot more gripping and emotional. This was definitly following this trend! As Long As You're mine was just perfect, even better than the Michael Ball show performance!

The fight scene between Rachel and Sarah was brilliant and the acting led perfectly into my favourite song - No Good Deed. Rachel was totally in the moment, it was almost like I could feel the emotion from where I was sitting and I got goosebumps during the song... even almost had tears in my eyes by the end! "and THAT'S why I love her!" I said to my friends who were stunned by what they'd just seen.

There was a couple of funny things in the 2nd half... Nessa Rose said "Galinda" when she'd changed her name by then lol. One of the monkeys was really in character and playing and bashing one of the ensembles dress - also one of the others was picking at imaginary fleas on the other side of the stage. Also we looked up and there was another monkey suddenly pointed down at us haha.

At the end we all stood up and cheered for Rachel, I thought she half glanced at me... but couldnt be sure ;)
We noticed that there was no cheer for Madame Morrible lol no comment.

Excellent once again Rachel... now.... when can I go next? xxx

Jessica Returns!

Jessica, who wrote us an excellent review a few months ago, made a return trip to 'Wicked' yesterday, with her mum Lindsay. As they were attending the matinee, they met Rachel at the stage door before the performance. Here is her review and photos.




Yesterday, Saturday 23rd October, my mum and I attended the matinee performance of Wicked. It was our third time seeing the show and it just keeps getting better and better!

We had an early start and caught the train from Yorkshire down to London. We just had time to grab some lunch and then we waited at the stage door hoping to meet Rachel on her way in. We were not disappointed; Rachel was lovely and took the time to chat to us. Thank you Rachel for making our day! We were also thrilled to hear that Sarah Earnshaw would be performing as Glinda and managed to get her autograph too. We also saw Madame Morrible going in the stage door but believe me; she is just as scary in real life!!! Far too scary to ask for an autograph! LOL

It was a full house and our seats were in Row B in the Dress Circle. It was fun to watch others around us experience Wicked for the first time. One man next to me was cheering loudly at Rachel’s spectacular Defying Gravity and hysterical over Sarah’s wonderful version of Popular! It was also interesting to see Danny Mac as Boq; he did a great job!

Now we are planning our 4th trip, which will hopefully be sometime next year. Thanks to the whole cast who continue to make this a brilliant experience for so many.

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As if that wasn't enough, Jessica also had a review published in today's Sunday Express! Future journalist alert!

Wicked Day 2010

Wicked Day, a Halloween tradition since the Broadway show Wicked opened at London's Apollo Victoria theatre in 2006, is a free day of Wicked-themed fun for all the family

This year's WICKED DAY event will take place at London's St Pancras International on Sunday 31 October between 12 noon and 4pm. WICKED DAY will feature a host of WICKED and Halloween-themed events throughout the station including live performances from cast members, face-painting, workshops and a range of activities suitable for people of all ages.

You can find more information about WICKED DAY by visiting the events official website:

WICKED DAY WEBSITE

We haven't heard anything official as to whether Rachel will be present at this stage but as soon as we do, we'll let you know.

Is anyone planning on going?

If you've been to a WICKED DAY what was it like?

Gala Night Reviews

All that effort to get to Gala Night and Rachel wasn't even there. Needless to say I ripped up my ticket and walked out.......................after watching a truly remarkable show.

Of course I was disappointed when I realised Rachel was off ill but it didn't detract - much - from an amazing evenings entertainment. I mostly feel sorry for Rachel because I know how much she would have loved to be part of this event. Get well soon Rachel.

There were so many incredible performances I find it hard to remember them all, especially as my head is still vibrating after Bombay Dreams. I was sat very close to the main set of speakers on the side if the stage and the bass was so deep it seemed to shake the entire theatre. In fact my only grumble would be the sound. As Victoria commented in the post below, they did have issues with numerous microphones. Some didn't work at all and others seemed too low to properly hear the singing above the very loud music.

It was still a fantastic show and I'm so glad I made the effort to go because it was well worth it. I think my personal highlight would be Starlight Express but it's hard to single anyone out because they were all great.

As Rachel wasn't actually in the show after all and this is of course her fan blog, we don't really want lots of posts about the Gala. However, if anyone would like to share their Gala experience, write us a review or send us a picture, we'd be happy to add them to this post.

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DAN'S GALA REVIEW

Just thought I'd do a brief-ish review of the Gala.

Managed to drive to London... which was an achievement in itself, seeing as I don't have Satnav and despite google instructions telling me the wrong road numbers(!!!) I managed to get there really easily and found a road to park in... legally.

On the way into the theatre I got a program and some raffle tickets and found my seat... which was further backthat I thought it would be... but still quite central. I started chatting to a young couple next me and actually had quite a giggle as the boyfriend didn't know anything about theatre or celebrities etc.

The sequence of songs was basically from the beginning of the theatre to the present in time order.

For the first act, it was mainly people from the wicked cast doing various songs and artists that have been performed over the years. Highlights were as follows.
Sarah Earnshaw, Nikki Davis-Jones & Ashley Grey singing 3 part harmony - wartime style.
Lee Mead doing a rolling stones medley and jumping about the stage wearing all black (of course singing Paint it black).
Louise Dearman singing Goldfinger - perfect Diva song for her.
Sharon D Clarke singing Mignight Train to Georgia
Oliver Thompsett singing ELO - AMAZINGLY - such a great vocalist.

There was a distinct lack of Tucker... which concerned me and as I was looking at the programme there was supposed to be a Barry White song 'You're the first, the last, my everything' - which we know is one of Rachel's favourites - so I was getting a little worried; as instead of the song they just mentioned Barry was there at some point then moved on.

Also there was Bucks Fizz who did a couple of songs very well... with 2 male dancers ripping their clothes off for 'making your mind up' - cue much screaming from the audience.

Alexia Khadime came on to sing Sway by Dean Martin - but her microphone didn't work... although... she wasnt holding a mic... and also I couldn't see a head mic either... maybe she just forgot haha. stage crew ran on with a mic though and she screeched out the rest of the song... more in the pussycat dolls style than Dean Martin.

The programme said that Patina Miller would be singing Think... but there was no sign of her, so Sandra D Clarke had another song to sing and did it very professionally, considering she wouldnt have had much time to rehearse.

In the break I was shocked to discover that Daniel Boys was sitting literally 2 rows in front of me!
We did some more celebrity spotting and saw the following:
Jennifer Saunders
Stephanie Beecham
2 Blonde ones from Scooch
Craig Revel-Horwood
Ricky Whittle & Carly Stenson
The 2 Beale brats from Eastenders
Max Clifford
Louis Spence
Harriet Thorpe!!! :)
George Ure
Oliver Thompsett

2nd half started weirdly with 5 of the Wicked standby's/understudies performing a medley of Sound of Music - but in a kinda swing/burlesque style... but the outfits were the lederhosen things and were not very flattering on any of them.
Wayne Sleep did a weird Charlie Chaplin thing and Bombay Dreams did 3 songs... 2 of which were MIMED!!! - slightly shocking.

Starlight Express was AMAZING! So many people all on one stage at one time!!
I'm actually tempted to go listen to the soundtrack now, as there are so many good songs in there.

The last song... was up to date - WICKED - For Good. I knew as soon as Nikki Davis-Jones came on that Rachel wasnt there :( Louise Dearman started the song rather shakily and the arrangement was odd with the rest of the company providing back vocals and oohs and ahhhs.

I was quite gutted that Rachel was ill... but I know that she would definitely have wanted to do the Gala so she must be gutted too and I know we definitely all send her our best wishes and to get well soon!! xx

Apollo Victoria Gala Night

As mentioned by Victoria in the comments section of my return to Oz post, the Apollo Vicoria theatre is celebrating it's 80th Birthday by hosting a special gala night.

The event takes place on Sunday 10th October and will include some sensational performances from shows that have lit up this famous stage over the past 8 decades.

Best of all our very own Rachel will be there, along with a host of other Wicked stars past and present to perform songs from the theatres current hit musical.

The show starts at 7:00pm and it's expected to run for about 2hr's 30 mins. Tickets are still available and prices range from £18.75 to £67.75

Ticketmaster

SeeTickets

You can find more information by checking out the events Twitter or Facebook pages by following the links below.

Gala Night Twitter Page

Gala Night Facebook Page

I'm still hoping I may be able to shuffle things around and go myself because I'm sure it will be an incredible evenings entertainment.