Contemplations on the nature of evil seems a rather weighty topic for one of the world's most successful musicals. Yet it's that which sits at the heart of Wicked, The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz, the Australian production of which opened in Melbourne this month to
huge expectations that it will match the show's spectacular global success.
Wicked is a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, turning fairytale tradition on its ear to condemn the habit of confusing beauty with goodness, and examine, if lightly, what makes someone wicked.
It begins with Glinda the not-yet-good and Elphaba the not-yet-wicked as school chums in the wizard's Oz. As they move toward the events that follow Dorothy's arrival, many Wizard of Oz mysteries are solved why the slippers are ruby, why the lion is cowardly and the tin man needs a heart.
It's a plot that demands much of the two leads, and here that falls to Amanda Harrison as Elphaba and Lucy Durack as Glinda. Both are outstanding - instilling powerful vocals with huge emotion, backed up by strong acting. Harrison is particularly good as Elphaba hits her hugely effective, dramatic pinnacle at the end of the first half. So much so it's hard not to feel the second half is lacking something in comparison.
Perhaps the biggest surprise comes from two former Australian Idolers Rob Mills, as male lead Fiyero, and Anthony Callea as a perfectly cast munchkin. Both hold their own with strong vocals - Callea particularly has a voice that seems perfect for musical theatre. They are ably backed up by former Kiwi TV star Rob Guest in a relatively small but important role as the paranoid, grasping Wizard.
Wicked is not perfect - it takes time to warm up and in parts gets a little repetitive - but it is fresh and therefore engaging.
The Melbourne season is to run indefinitely. Given the show's scale - it's not likely to make it here any time soon - this is the best chance for Kiwi fans to see it.
www.wickedthemusical.com.au
