Every generation has a few musicals that define it and will become classics that we will see performed on stages for decades, if not centuries, to come. Akin to the late-1800s with the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, the early to mid-1900s with Rodgers & Hammerstein, or the late-1900s with the works of Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber – I’d argue the early 2000s could very well be defined by Wicked. Perhaps not the most technologically or narratively complex, Wicked, in my opinion, showcases much of what makes musical theatre of our time great – drawing parallels to modern-day issues such as racism and propaganda ‘fake news’, music styles and mannerisms of the day, the colourful flourishes of today’s vernacular and technical prowess of stagecraft.
It has been just shy of ten years since Wicked last performed on the QPAC Lyric Theatre stage, and at the time, it was the third musical theatre review I ever published on The Theatre Sphere. While there have been a few opportunities to see Wicked in Queensland since it departed in 2015, limited to regional venues and independent theatre groups, the producer of previous Australian national tours, John Frost AM, this time for Crossroads Live Australia, commenced a national tour last year spanning Sydney, Melbourne and now Brisbane, with a Perth season to conclude the tour in early-2025. With an entirely new cast – including new leads Courtney Monsma (A Queensland local) as Galinda and Sheridan Adams as Elphaba – I was curious to see how Wicked would be tackled much the same or perhaps differently than it was 10 years ago. Want to hear my thoughts? Continue reading in my review of Wicked the Musical’s 2024 Brisbane Season at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Lyric Theatre.
Wicked is set in the Land of Oz, originally featured in L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and popularized by the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. I remember watching this film many times when I was in Grade 2 of primary school, as we spent a whole term studying it in our English class. However, this musical presents a distinctly different tone from what 6- or 7-year-old me experienced, one that is much richer. Wicked begins well before the events of The Wizard of Oz, introducing a new class of students at the prestigious school of Shiz. It is here that the two future witches—Elphaba Thropp (who will become the Wicked Witch of the West) and Galinda Upland (later Glinda the Good)—meet on orientation day. From the start, a series of events cause them to loathe each other. Elphaba faces discrimination because of the colour of her skin, and her natural magic abilities only deepen the divide between her and Galinda. However, as they navigate their initial antagonism, their paths intertwine with Fiyero, the school’s new “bad boy.” Discrimination and a fateful trip to see the Wonderful Wizard set them on the path we all know—a journey destined to play out the same, but one that tells a very different story behind the scenes.
My thoughts on the narrative underpinning Wicked has always been a little bit mixed, although much more positive than negative. Structurally I think they do an exceptional job at tying in the original familiar narrative (while creatively dancing around directly naming key characters), giving each of the characters depth and purpose, and being topical given the easy comparisons made to events and happenings in a modern day. While the Land of Oz is pictured as a nation of people who desire peace and are suffering at the hands of a malevolent entity, the world of Wicked aptly depicts it as a world of different shades of grey — and where the ones who appear innocent may very well not be. On the other hand, and perhaps this is why the upcoming feature film adaptation is being adapted into two parts, despite coming in at 2 hours 45 minutes in length, I am left conflicted that everything in the musical is necessary, but deserves to be elaborated upon more – with plenty of time skips and scenes deserving an extra few minutes of attention. Whether you consider it canonical or non-canonical, these small issues do little to impede what ultimately is a great viewing experience.
Having first been introduced to Wicked with Suzie Mathers as Galinda and Jemma Rix as Elphaba cast in the lead roles – whoever filled the shoes would ultimately have a hard job meeting the standards set by this pair. I feel that ultimately, one never forgets their first performer in these roles. Courtney Monsma and Sheridan Adams both shine in their respective roles of Galinda and Elphaba respectively, bringing the triple threat of singing, dancing and acting every moment they are on stage – while bringing their unique on-stage dynamic. The quirkiness of Galinda in certain scenes, and the clear-spoken more authoritative tone these actors bring to the characters complemented each well. Unfortunately, local actor Liam Head, who performs as Fiyero, still appears to be out with a knee injury, which was a shame considering he also brings that local touch, he shared some very insightful thoughts with me during the Sydney season, and his brother performed on the Lyric Theatre stage merely a few months prior in Beauty and the Beast the Musical. Instead, at least early in the season, the role is being filled by Ainsley Melham, who is also known for his role as the titular character of the Australian premiere of Aladdin, Pippin in Pippin and Prince Topher in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Melham in my opinion, always has a refreshing and youthful charm in the roles he plays, and I’d argue he is perfectly suited to the role.
Outside of the main trio, the secondary principal cast offers some greats of theatre who do their characters justice. Robyn Nevin AO portrays the contrasting role of Madame Morrible perfectly. Additionally, contrasting the exceptional Simon Gallaher who portrayed the role of the Wizard the last time Wicked was in Brisbane, Todd McKenney draws from his more colourful, comedic roles – and while not hesitating to go darker, portrays his character a bit cookier based on the ‘eccentric travelling salesman’ role the film presented, which played to his strengths well. Plus, his accent in the role was so charming. Complemented by the other secondary cast members and the impressively large ensemble cast – I’d argue their casting was en pointe.
Any good musical needs a good soundtrack, and at this point, the Wicked soundtrack has become iconic. Combined with great costuming and staging, each song hits hard, whether it is the humble melody of Dear Old Shiz, the impactful opening number “No One Mourns the Wicked”, and the crowd-pleaser “Defying Gravity” – all songs are presented as they should, with nary an issue or (to my ears), offbeat note. However, one of the issues I found back in 2015 is still there, which may impact those with sensitive hearing. As my late grandmother experienced back in the day, some songs have very high-pitched sounds, which those sensitive to high notes may find difficult or even painful to listen to. Thankfully, it’s not a recurring issue, but it is particularly prominent in the first act with the role of Galinda. If that is you or a loved one, I might suggest earplugs for the first few songs.
The set design is more or less identical to the one used during the last Australian tour and from my perusal, most major national tours occuring worldwide. Juxtaposing against the ‘merry’ and magical land Oz is depicted as in other mediums, the steampunk, mechanical vibes give off darker and complex tones to the audience, while the rotating sets on stage differ greatly depending on the scenes – from the colourful bedazzling facade to the Emerald City, the more traditional but picturesque school environment of Shiz, and some excellent lighting and stage effects to depict the spells Elphaba uses. The highlight however is the giant representation of the Clock of the Time Dragon, which is visually stunning. What I do think is well deserving of an upgrade is some of the digital effects, which again appear to be standard across major productions, but are just a bit choppy and minimalistic for what is possible with technology today.
With Wicked about to receive a film adaptation, there is a genuine question of whether it is worth seeing the live version, or saving money and waiting until the film hits the silver screen. While it is hard to precisely answer that until the film adaptation is released, like other musical-to-film adaptations, there is something truly irreplaceable about seeing Wicked (or any musical for that matter) live. The energy of the live performance, the interaction between the actors and the audience, and the sheer spectacle of stagecraft create a visceral experience that a film, no matter how well-produced, may struggle to replicate. For those who love the immediacy and magic of the stage, the stage version offers memorable moments in abundance.
Wicked remains one of the standout and defining musicals of our era, seamlessly blending captivating performances, memorable songs, and impressive stagecraft. While the narrative may have its pacing issues—leaving me feeling like there could have been another act added in the middle—the overall experience is nothing short of magical. The current Australian production, with its talented cast and seasoned creatives, complemented by the material, offers an enjoyable experience and proves that Wicked continues to thrive as a live theatre experience. Whether you’ve seen it before or are considering it as your introduction to musical theatre or live performance in general, Wicked’s Brisbane season at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre is well worth attending for an afternoon or night of unforgettable theatre.
Final Score for Wicked the Musical’s 2024 Brisbane Season
I would like to acknowledge Crossroads Live Australia and Cinnamon Watson Publicity for providing me with two opening night tickets to attend and review this production.
Wicked is currently being performed at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Lyric Theatre until 24 November 2024, where it will then be whisked away for one more leg of the tour, commencing at the Crown Theatre in Perth in December 2024. Ticket sales for both remaining legs are now on-sale, with information for each venue available via the official Wicked the Musical Australia website.
