For my birthday weekend, I travelled to London for the very first time, and the whole experience already felt special. But seeing Wicked on stage turned it into something I will never forget, and it has been on my mind ever since.
A West End Gem
Wicked has been enchanting audiences since its Broadway debut at the Gershwin Theatre in New York in 2003, and more than twenty years later, it is still going strong. In London’s West End, the production, which has been running since 2006, is now the ninth longest-running show in West End history. I did not expect to be so completely blown away from start to finish. The cast was exceptional, and both the singing and choreography were on another level.
Booking Tickets
We booked our tickets via the official website on Saturday for the 2pm Sunday performance. We paid £39.50 each. You can pay more for a better view, and prices vary.
The Standout Performances
Charlotte Anne Steen, who portrays Elphaba, has an exceptionally powerful voice, and I have to admit her performance moved me to tears more than once. From Defying Gravity through to No Good Deed, my personal favourite, she truly made each moment her own. Her delivery of Elphaba’s sharp, witty humour was spot on, and those high notes gave me goosebumps. And, of course, her signature wicked laugh was on point. She brought Elphaba’s awkwardness, rage, sorrow, and deep heartbreak to life on stage, especially in the final scenes. By the end, I genuinely had to compose myself before the lights came up.
Glinda, played by Lydia Gerrard, also left a strong impression on me. The character is known for her sharp, sometimes blunt personality, and she leaned into that brilliantly. Her comedic timing was spot on, making the dialogue genuinely hilarious, and she brought her own personality to the stage. While Glinda initially appears to be at odds with Elphaba, the growing bond and underlying affection between them becomes unmistakable by the end of the show, and that was the moment that got me emotional all over again.
Other Notable Cast Members
Jacob Young, who plays Fiyero, has a great voice, and I really loved it when he sang As Long As You're Mine. I once again had chills. The whole cast really impressed me, and I could not fault a single person. They are joined by Sarah Ingram (Madame Morrible), Michael Matus (The Wizard), Hannah Qureshi (Nessarose), David McKechnie (Doctor Dillamond), and Ross Carpenter (Boq). Speaking of the Wizard, I loved how they would use flashback scenes to enter the Wizard's mind, recalling that special night with the green bottle.
Visual and Technical Marvels
The role is vocally demanding regardless of who takes it on. I am also still in awe of just how beautiful and intricately detailed the costumes were. The costumes were made with such flowing fabrics that they seemed to float across the stage as the performers danced. Watching that level of choreography, including lifts and turns, in person rather than on TV like Strictly Come Dancing, was truly unforgettable. And then there were the monkeys. Swinging from set piece to set piece, they were so convincingly brought to life that I never once saw them as people in costumes and make-up, which says a lot about the production's quality.
While every performer on stage deserves recognition, I also have to acknowledge the incredible work happening behind the scenes. From the costume designers to the fabric-makers to the dedicated stage crew, the level of craftsmanship and coordination was beyond words. The set designs were so imaginative and intricately crafted that they truly brought the world to life. Every scene felt immersive, but for me, the most striking moment was the Wizard’s enormous mechanical face. It was unforgettable. The way it moved made the Wizard feel even more powerful and theatrical. It is one of those effects that left me with my jaw open.
Emotional Conclusion
When the cast closed the show with No One Mourns the Wicked, and Elphaba and Glinda parted ways, I was in a flood of tears. As my first show, it is hard to imagine anything ever topping it.
Practical Tip
If you have a large bag, leave it at Victoria Station’s bag drop or another luggage storage area, as big bags are not allowed inside and they do not operate a clockroom facility at the time of writing. We left ours at the station as we were going straight to the airport after the performance.
