REVIEW: Wicked, UK Tour, Edinburgh. Cast details, venues and dates.

Updated: Aug 15

Wicked

13 January 2024

Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jump to Wicked UK Tour cast details | venues and tickets

Now in it's 18th year in London's West End, the spectacular, multi-record-breaking Broadway musical 'Wicked' has just kicked off a new UK and Ireland tour for 2024 and 2025 at Edinburgh Playhouse. This touring production is huge! It has all the sets, costumes and talent you would find in London. Nothing has been scrimped on for the tour. There is a full orchestra, massive set pieces, over 350 stunning costumes and the all important Time Dragon clock above the stage. It takes over 100 people to deliver each of these magical tour performances and it shows. It is immaculate!

'Wicked' tells the untold story of the witches of Oz. Based on the novel 'Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West' by Gregory Maguire, and the beloved characters from L. Frank Baum's ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ "Wicked drives a tornado through the familiar story you thought you knew and reveals what really happened between ‘Glinda The Good’ and Elphaba, the 'Wicked Witch of the West". Up until now, we've only ever heard one side of the story; but the book for Wicked twists the familiar tale and shows us a very satisfying parallel alternative.

Sarah O'Connor as Glinda. in Wicked the musical. New UK & Ireland 2024 2025 Tour. Photo credit: Matt Crockett

With songs by multi-Oscar and Grammy Award winner Stephen Schwartz the score for 'Wicked' includes some of the finest Musical Theatre numbers of modern times. True, the majority of the big hitters are in Act I, but there isn't a bad song in the entire show. 'No One Mourns the Wicked' is a powerful opening number, 'The Wizard and I' delivered perfectly by Laura Pick made my hairs stand on end! Sarah O'Connor's 'Popular' was a delightful, hilarious, musical theatre masterclass. And the showstopping 'Defying Gravity' remains as epic and impactful as ever.

Laura Pick as Elphaba and Sarah O'Connor as Glinda (the 'Ga' is silent) are a phenomenal, world-class leading duo. I sat front row for this performance and I think I had to physically close my mouth at times. They are simply astounding. Every note, every line, every comic tilt of the head or flick of the wand - just gorgeous!

Laura Pick as Elphaba in Wicked the musical. New UK & Ireland 2024 2025 Tour. Photo credit: Matt Crockett

The large ensemble cast of over 30 on stage for each performance are exquisite. I never think Fiyero has much to do in 'Wicked', but Carl Man is dashing and bright as the privileged Prince. Daniel Hope's Boq is heartbreaking, and the character has one of the best, ingenious narrative arcs in the musical. Both actors bring great warmth and emotion to their characters that made me appreciate them all the more.

Similarly, Madame Morrible has never made much impact on me in previous productions of Wicked - she's there, and she does what she does. But Donna Berlin is sensational! She made me sit up and take notice. A superb voice and a memorable performance. She oozes quality every second she is on stage.

The casting for this touring production is first-rate. I could list all of the lead characters and say all of them are excellent. Because they are! With flawless direction from Joe Mantello, the story moves at pace, the cast nail every line and every move, and the magic and spectacle of the piece soars.

Simeon Truby as Dr Dillamond in Wicked the musical. New UK & Ireland 2024 2025 Tour. Photo credit: Matt Crockett

Behind the facade of joyous green sparkle and awe inspiring musical numbers, 'Wicked' delivers some powerful messages to the audience. This is a musical that actually has some depth to it - and I adore that side to it.

It is OK to be different (or geen)!
You should fight for what you think is right and always stand up for the underdog.
Popular doesn't always mean happy.
And what we are told or shown, is not always the truth.

I did read Gregory Maguire's novel some years ago, and although impossible to fit every detail into a 2 hour stage musical, the sentiment, the intelligence and heart are all here in 'Wicked'.

'Wicked' is a stage musical that is spectacular in every way. And this new UK tour production of the well loved tale is sensational. To be so polished, so perfect, so breathtaking at its opening venue is a testament to the hard work of everyone involved. 'Everyone deserves the chance to fly!' and fly this show does.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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📸 Production photos: Matt Crockett

Wicked UK Tour Cast

Laura Pick (Elphaba), Sarah O’Connor (Glinda), Carl Man (Fiyero), Donna Berlin (Madame Morrible), Simeon Truby (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond), Jed Berry (Boq), Megan Gardiner (Nessarose), Casey Al-Shaqsy (Standby for Elphaba), Thomas Charles, Julie Cloke, Charlotte Coggin, Freddie Conway, Áine Curran, Jade Davies, Kamau Davis, Russell Dickson, Maddison Firth, Lydia Gerrard, James Gower-Smith, Shoko Ito, Holly Lawrence, Nick Len, Stephanie Lindo, Will Lucas, Will Luckett, Rozz Mbwembwe, Georgia McElwee, Conor O’Hara, Shereen Osman, Stuart Rouse, Christina Shand, Adam Stickler, and Frazer Woolcott.

Laura Pick (Elphaba), Carl Man (Fiyero), Simeon Truby (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond), Nick Len, and Will Lucas have all previously appeared in the West End production of Wicked.