86 posts
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Post by littlefluffychick on May 14, 2023 2:20:44 GMT
Amy Webb was on as Elphaba last night (12th May, 2023). Nicola Espallardo is on as Elphaba for both shows today (13th May, 2023). Wicked UK are very lucky to have Nicola as a reliable understudy, because Amy's attendance has only been getting worse. I was at the matinee today and Nicola was fantastic, she’s a very safe pair of hands for the show, never mind slating Amy’s attendance, where on earth is Alexia??? She made it onto the promotional posters alright but the other Elphaba ladies are carrying her so far into her contract. And I am genuinely sorry she has suffered a personal loss not too long ago but I do wonder why she isn’t performing more shows now. Also saw the understudy Fiyero today who was excellent, and a vast improvement on Ryan. His acting was SO much better and more believable. |
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Post by jay987 on May 14, 2023 18:47:56 GMT
So funnily enough, I’ve been following attendance in this cast too out of curiosity after the last cast lol. When you take out the Covid absence and the bereavement absence, Alexia’s attendance has been very solid until missing this weekend. She misses 1-2 shows a week on average, but she’s done multiple 8-show weeks without calling out. I think one more 8-show week and she ties Lucie’s record for 8-show weeks 😬.
Amy, on the other hand… has dropped to 40% attendance. Nicola has done almost as many shows as she has. I don’t know how contracts work in the UK, but in the US, I believe that covers get paid extra every time they go on (as opposed to standbys for whom that is their sole job). If it’s the same, then from a sheer business perspective, Amy has cost them a fortune. Regardless of what may or may not be quietly going on to cause her to miss with such frequency, I’m baffled that they haven’t fired her and either bumped Nicola to standby or hired Laura Harrison back as standby. Or heck, even make Laura Pick standby for while since the tour likely won’t start rehearsals until October. They at least know she’d be rock solid and reliable. But the current situation has thrown the company into rough situations time and time again. When you’re down to your second cover so frequently (since Kate Lieper is on holiday right now)… I’m just baffled from a sheer business perspective.
Props to Nicola, though. To be a swing AND a second cover who has to go on this frequently? Impressive.
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487 posts
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Post by deej4life on May 14, 2023 22:11:04 GMT
I believe that the covers are paid extra for every show they perform in one of the lead roles, but I'm not sure how much this rate is!
I do agree that Wicked needs a reliable standby Elphaba who can consistently cover 1-2 shows per week.
Amy Webb was fabulous on tour and incredibly reliable, so I wish her the best in getting back to that level again.
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487 posts
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Post by deej4life on May 16, 2023 18:00:10 GMT
Amy Webb is on as Elphaba tonight (16th May, 2023).
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Post by wickedestwitch on May 17, 2023 17:59:02 GMT
I too have been following who’s been on and off since cast change. Whilst I agree Amy hasn’t done as many of the shows that she would have had with Alexia being off, I do believe her attendance will have been higher than that given that she will have been in on other days that Alexia was on and I do believe she may have had some holiday given a recent instagram post I saw (not sure if it was a week or weekend). Personally, I think some of it has come down to bad timing of Alexia being off but also coincidentally Amy possibly happening to fall sick/be injured/have holiday on those days. Alexia has had very solid attendance though otherwise except for this past weekend and now this evening as I’ve heard Alexia has done the matinee but Amy is doing the evening. Nicola is thought really smashing it! She’s a solid second cover for them for sure. Elphaba is such a demanding role that I can see why they have so many covers and whilst I’m sure they would prefer not to get to their second cover as frequently as they have, they’ve at least got that to fall back on. So funnily enough, I’ve been following attendance in this cast too out of curiosity after the last cast lol. When you take out the Covid absence and the bereavement absence, Alexia’s attendance has been very solid until missing this weekend. She misses 1-2 shows a week on average, but she’s done multiple 8-show weeks without calling out. I think one more 8-show week and she ties Lucie’s record for 8-show weeks 😬. Amy, on the other hand… has dropped to 40% attendance. Nicola has done almost as many shows as she has. I don’t know how contracts work in the UK, but in the US, I believe that covers get paid extra every time they go on (as opposed to standbys for whom that is their sole job). If it’s the same, then from a sheer business perspective, Amy has cost them a fortune. Regardless of what may or may not be quietly going on to cause her to miss with such frequency, I’m baffled that they haven’t fired her and either bumped Nicola to standby or hired Laura Harrison back as standby. Or heck, even make Laura Pick standby for while since the tour likely won’t start rehearsals until October. They at least know she’d be rock solid and reliable. But the current situation has thrown the company into rough situations time and time again. When you’re down to your second cover so frequently (since Kate Lieper is on holiday right now)… I’m just baffled from a sheer business perspective. Props to Nicola, though. To be a swing AND a second cover who has to go on this frequently? Impressive. |
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487 posts
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Post by deej4life on May 17, 2023 17:59:10 GMT
Amy Webb is on as Elphaba for the evening show today (17th May, 2023).
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Post by jacob on May 22, 2023 15:26:42 GMT
20th Anniversary Bway shows are up on general sale !!
Anyone else going ? 😊😊😊😊
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Post by nick91 on May 23, 2023 16:32:09 GMT
So I went for a Saturday evening show and must say Alexia was totally killing it!  Definitely best No Good Deed ever and probably one of the best Defying Gravity. Her portrayal of Elphaba is different from the ones I've seen before, she is more witchy, rough and I honestly kinda love it. Now I have a dilemma about my fav Elphaba - it's been Alice Fearn for a long time but now I seriously consider letting Alexia share the first place with Alice.  Lucy's Glinda is also pretty good, I really enjoyed her especially in the more serious parts of the story. Of course, there were funnier Glindas but I wouldn't mind seeing her again. I've got only one question, what in the name of Oz is Ryan still doing there? There are so many talented guys who could be (and actually were) awesome Fiyero and they've chosen him.  When I was there few months ago I was just hoping he was not in a good shape and would be better next time - well, no... He isn't particularly bad but in comparison with Alexia and Lucy his performance is just weak. |
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487 posts
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Post by deej4life on May 23, 2023 22:21:08 GMT
Amy Webb was on as Elphaba tonight (23rd May, 2023).
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487 posts
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Post by deej4life on May 25, 2023 17:17:13 GMT
Amy Webb is on as Elphaba tonight (25th May, 2023).
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487 posts
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Post by deej4life on May 26, 2023 18:55:52 GMT
Amy Webb is on as Elphaba tonight (26th May, 2023).
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487 posts
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Post by deej4life on May 27, 2023 10:53:29 GMT
Kate Leiper is on as Elphaba for both shows today. Christine Tucker is on as Glinda (27th May, 2023).
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Post by theshez on May 31, 2023 19:13:44 GMT
So I went for a Saturday evening show and must say Alexia was totally killing it! Definitely best No Good Deed ever and probably one of the best Defying Gravity. Her portrayal of Elphaba is different from the ones I've seen before, she is more witchy, rough and I honestly kinda love it. Now I have a dilemma about my fav Elphaba - it's been Alice Fearn for a long time but now I seriously consider letting Alexia share the first place with Alice. Lucy's Glinda is also pretty good, I really enjoyed her especially in the more serious parts of the story. Of course, there were funnier Glindas but I wouldn't mind seeing her again. I've got only one question, what in the name of Oz is Ryan still doing there? There are so many talented guys who could be (and actually were) awesome Fiyero and they've chosen him. When I was there few months ago I was just hoping he was not in a good shape and would be better next time - well, no... He isn't particularly bad but in comparison with Alexia and Lucy his performance is just weak. Totally agree on Alexia. Out of this world good and so different. I love Luch too and think she does a fantastic job of being grieving for Elphaba while all around celebrate her “death”. |
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Post by jacob on May 31, 2023 21:53:03 GMT
a few thoughts from earlier. Look,I’ll come back to this show for the spectacle and songs, but after seeing previous companies across a few venues, i wish there was just more complexity with the LDN cast. Alecia sings the best NGD I have heard, the CHOICES!!! So snarly and powerful. the witchy-ness shines in act 2, I love seeing her little quirks in Shiz amplified into the Wicked Witch of the West character later on. Both Lucy and Aleixa have gorgeous voices, probably the best I’ve heard in each role. I honestly really don’t like the painfully enforced Britishness of the show now, it really makes characters like Glinda and Fiyero so static and humourless. No shade to Lucy as her portrayal is unique but the properness of her characterisation makes Glinda look more like a snob rather than a clueless yet comedic ‘preppy’ Glinda that will get more laughs by being over the top. When her wand snapped in Popular and pinged across the stage ,I’d probably laughed the most at that point than at any other moment so far.. Oh and a minor line forgotten was interesting to watch, Alexia started to help her out before she just carried on the scene. Some of the jokes aren’t landing (surprise?) due to either poor diction or rushed lines, and i wish that some of the tenser pauses were dragged out a little longer. Ryan really just isn’t anything special too, he can dance wonderfully but the chemistry and vocals aren’t up to par lol. Can’t wait for the tour cast.
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Jun 1, 2023 11:49:48 GMT
Got tickets to see Wicked for the first time in almost 8 years! Very excited and fingers crossed Alexia and Lucy will be on  |
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19,659 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 1, 2023 11:54:51 GMT
Got tickets to see Wicked for the first time in almost 8 years! Very excited and fingers crossed Alexia and Lucy will be on Good luck!  |
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jun 1, 2023 12:12:51 GMT
It’s a 9 show week for them this week (they have a relaxed Perf this afternoon golivetheatre.org.uk/wicked-tickets/) so one of the witches will be off Thurs eve. Lucy was off yest eve so I assume Alexia will be off tonight? |
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Post by evilmat360 on Jun 1, 2023 12:29:02 GMT
It’s a 9 show week for them this week (they have a relaxed Perf this afternoon golivetheatre.org.uk/wicked-tickets/) so one of the witches will be off Thurs eve. Lucy was off yest eve so I assume Alexia will be off tonight? Going off the cast & creative page, that assumption looks like it's right.
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Post by newda on Jun 1, 2023 13:16:02 GMT
You mean people are actually booking to see Ryan??? I think I'd be using his holiday dates to know when I can see his understudy.
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487 posts
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Post by deej4life on Jun 2, 2023 18:17:56 GMT
Amy Webb is on as Elphaba tonight (2nd June, 2023).
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631 posts
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Post by ncbears on Jun 2, 2023 22:16:04 GMT
If you (or someone you know) has an American Girl Doll ... (apparently on sale June 6) (I don't know if these fit other dolls but you could buy the doll as well) Elphaba or Glinda Outfits? |
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487 posts
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Post by deej4life on Jun 3, 2023 11:16:14 GMT
Nicola Espallardo is on as Elphaba for both shows today (3rd June, 2023).
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487 posts
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Post by deej4life on Jun 4, 2023 14:55:45 GMT
Kate Leiper is on as Elphaba today (4th June, 2023).
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487 posts
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Post by deej4life on Jun 6, 2023 17:47:13 GMT
Kate Leiper is on as Elphaha tonight (6th June, 2023).
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19,659 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 6, 2023 17:54:38 GMT
Where is Alexia?
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Definitely best No Good Deed ever and probably one of the best Defying Gravity. Her portrayal of Elphaba is different from the ones I've seen before, she is more witchy, rough and I honestly kinda love it. Now I have a dilemma about my fav Elphaba - it's been Alice Fearn for a long time but now I seriously consider letting Alexia share the first place with Alice. 
Lucy's Glinda is also pretty good, I really enjoyed her especially in the more serious parts of the story. Of course, there were funnier Glindas but I wouldn't mind seeing her again. I've got only one question, what in the name of Oz is Ryan still doing there? There are so many talented guys who could be (and actually were) awesome Fiyero and they've chosen him. 
When I was there few months ago I was just hoping he was not in a good shape and would be better next time - well, no... He isn't particularly bad but in comparison with Alexia and Lucy his performance is just weak.
