Courtney Monsma, Sheridan Adams and Ensemble in WICKED © Jeff Busby
Returning to Australia for a third time, WICKED the Musical has transformed Sydney’s Lyric Theatre into a land of emerald enchantment.
If you’ve ever wondered what happened before Dorothy clicked her sparkly red heels together, WICKED the Musical spills the emerald-green beans. The cleverly reimagined backstory of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch adds layers of depth to the familiar tale, making you question what you thought you knew about the characters from The Wizard of Oz, while sparking conversations about the nature of good and evil, and celebrating the power of female friendship.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the original story or a newcomer to the land of Oz, the spellbinding storm of a musical is as dazzling and defiant as ever. From the moment the curtain rises, the stage, topped as it by a giant mechanical dragon, opens like a magical pop-up book, melding Ozian landscapes with a superb steampunk aesthetic to create an ingeniously beautiful backdrop to the beloved musical.
Courtney Monsma as the effervescent Galinda brings sunshine and sparkle to the role, her vocals as crisp and clear as the bubbles that surround her. Her rendition of “Popular” is a showstopper, packed with sass and brilliant comedic timing.
Sheridan Adams and Courtney Monsma in WICKED © Jeff Busby
And then there’s Sheridan Adams as the gloriously green but tracgiaclly misunderstood Elphaba. Adams manages to capture the complexity of Elphaba’s character, delivering a nuanced performance that tugs at the heartstrings. Her rendition of “Defying Gravity” is an emotional rollercoaster, leaving the audience awestruck and reaching for the kleenex.
The glorious Courtney Monsma and Sheridan Adams as Glinda and Elphaba in WICKED © Jeff-Busby
The chemistry between frenemies, Monsma and Adams, is electric, crackling with both rivalry and deep affection. Their duets, especially during the hilariously snide “What is this feeling?” and the iconic “For Good,” are highlights of a show that’s stuffed full of them.
Special mentions too must go to Liam Head’s Fiyero, the hedonist douchebag turned Elphaba’s compassionate sweetheart, and Robyn Nevin who is deliciously wicked as Madame Morrible, her every line dripping with venomous wit. And, of course, the marvellously malevolent Todd Mckenny as The Wizard.
Liam Head, Courtney Monsma and Robyn Nevin in WICKED © Jeff Busby
As the parent of a couple of theatre kids, I must also pay WICKED’s phenomenally talented ensemble their dues. From the bubbly cohorts of Shiz University, a prestigious magical academy located in Oz, to the guards of Madame Morrible’s regime and the Wizard’s flying monkey’s, they are all a vital cog in bringing the magical world of Oz to life.
The extraordinary ensemble cast in WICKED © Jeff Busby
More than just a musical, WICKED is a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and the courage to defy expectations, and this production is as good as it gets. If you haven’t seen it yet (or even if you have), you still have five more weeks to catch it in Sydney, before it hops on a broomstick bound for Melbourne.
Booking information: WICKED is playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre until 4 Feburary, before heading to Melbourne’s Regent Theatre in March. Get tickets HERE
An award-winning travel writer and photographer, Aleney de Winter was fresh from school when she first set off to explore the far reaches of Australia with a two-man tent and a beaten-up Kingswood for company. Three decades, and two kids later, and she's still on the go, with her itchy-footed offspring in tow. 