Wicked at the Edinburgh Playhouse Review
Wicked
Edinburgh Playhouse
20 November 2014 to 10 January 2015
Reviewed by Emily Crombie
The atmosphere was electric in the Edinburgh Playhouse where the packed audience awaited the performance of Wicked last night. The audience was captivated before the show even started.
I had heard a lot about Wicked though I was unsure of the story and I have to say I was glad I had not looked into it too much beforehand.
Wicked is based on the novel Wicked: The life and times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire and is often thought of as the prequel to The Wizard of Oz. Winnie Holzman adapted the book to the stage with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. In a nutshell, Wicked is the story of how the Wicked Witch became ‘wicked’. Elphaba (Ashleigh Gray) and Glinda (Emily Teirney) meet at sorcery school and form an unlikely friendship while exposing us to the darker side of the Land of Oz.
The leading ladies carried the show with their outstanding voices giving a faultless performance. The show is laced with humour and great comic timing especially Glinda as she makes over Elphaba in the first act. The costumes really set the show apart, they were amazing. The special effects, especially of ‘Defying Gravity’ were fabulous.
Wicked premièred on Broadway in 2003 and in the West End in 2006 where it continues to play in the Apollo Victoria Theatre today, with no end in sight. The show has been see by 44 million people in 13 countries which is quite unbelievable but having seen the show, I now understand why!
Wicked runs at Edinburgh Playhouse until Saturday 10th January. Although 125,000 tickets have already been sold there are still some tickets available… a great Christmas present or treat!
Edinburgh Playhouse is set in the heart of Edinburgh at the east end of Princess Street. It is easily access by public transport and is a 5 minute walk from Waverley Railway station. Car parking is readily available in the adjacent multi-storey car park.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £20 to £75 (plus £4 transaction fee).
Wicked is at the Edinburgh Playhouse until 10 January 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 3014.
Edinburgh Playhouse, 18–22 Greenside Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA | 0844 871 3014
