TROY DODDS - 'JUST HAVING MY SAY'

WICKED CASTS A MAGIC SPELL

Troy Dodds - Aussietheatre.com

My favourite moment from the opening night of Wicked on Saturday came in the moments following Amanda Harrison's performance of 'Defying Gravity' to close the first act. As the lights came back on for interval, there was an incredible buzz across the audience; a buzz reserved for when a show has captured an audience so much that they can't wait to gush about it to the person sitting next to them. It was a magical moment from a night full of memories and highlights.

When I first saw Wicked in New York back in 2004, with Idina Menzel and Jennifer Laura Thompson, I walked out of the theatre with a feeling I'd never felt before. This show has an incredible knack of drawing you in and never letting you go, and seeing another 2,000 people or so get that feeling on Saturday night was amazing. To the cast, the crew and the people who brought it to Australia, a massive congratulations and a job well done - you've exceeded every possible expectation.

There was a wonderful feeling in the foyer before and after the show, and while some of the regular theatre industry people were keen to pick out what was wrong with the show, those who hadn't seen it before were in awe. And that's the opinion that is the most crucial to me, because people familiar with Wicked will always have a pre-conceived viewpoint, so it was indeed most interesting to hear from people who were legitimately shocked and surprised about just how good this show was.

Amanda Harrison and Lucy Durack are the perfect pair for Elphaba and Glinda and both will provide the roles with the energy and vocal quality required. In fact, overall the entire cast is extremely good, with any fears over certain roles very much calmed. Anthony Callea and Rob Mills, who copped a lot of attention for their casting as Boq and Fiyero, were truly grand and Mills and Harrison's duet, 'As Long As You're Mine', was performed with such passion that it very nearly raised the roof off the Regent.

The after-party at the Sofitel Melbourne was a performance in itself. No expense was spared and while this party was certainly above and beyond anything else presented as part of an Australian musical opening, one thing was certain: Melbourne can throw a party a lot better than Sydney. It's happened before, and it'll happen again. Walking around in a suit holding a pizza in a cardboard box was a little unconventional, but Wicked is very much allowed to re-write the rules.

When the dust settled, there was the realisation that Wicked provides something very special for Australian music theatre. Not since the days of the string of Cam Mac shows have we seen a musical get so much attention, including from non-regular theatre-goers who seem to know more about Wicked than any other musical that's ever popped into town. The show very much holds a key to the future, and could have a wonderful snowball effect in the long-term.

People will have different opinions about various aspects of the show, and that is what makes Wicked so grand. Everything from our coverage here at the website to individual performances, marketing, ticket prices and so much more will, I am sure, be frowned upon every now and again. Our coverage has obviously been quite huge and that has been a planned move for several months, and the media overall has done a tremendous job in its coverage of Wicked, particularly of the opening weekend. How wonderful it has been to see a musical get so much attention for all the right reasons.

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