Finale

A little something I've drawn recently, this is from the finale scene of Wicked and uh, spoiler alert? But Fiyero gets turned into the Scarecrow and I've always felt like he gets vastly overlooked within fan circles when this is a huge thing he goes through and a major sacrifice. I've always felt particularly attached to Fiyero though after reading the novel, his character is a lot more developed in that so I guess if you haven't read it it's easy not to care about what happens to him as he doesn't have a lot of stage time. This is actually a reworking of an art piece I did a year ago, which was in the midst of when I was finding my style, and because I was working on so much artwork at that time it felt outdated for how I was working even then. I really loved the concept though, and knew I wanted to revisit it at some point so I'm glad I now have a version to be proud of and feels more cohesive with my body of work.

Popular, I know about popular

I went down to London yesterday to see Wicked, I hadn't seen it since I was in New York in August so it felt like it had been a while, and I hadn't seen it with the current London cast at all. I was stupidly nervous because I'm a big fan of Alice Fearn, the previous Elphaba, and I was unfamiliar with Nikki Bentley who's currently playing her. But as soon as she came on after 'Dear Old Shiz' I warmed to her immediately, I just loved her mannerisms and because I was right at the front I could see all of her facial expressions and I just got drawn right in to her performance. When she started singing 'The Wizard And I' she started quite softly and I was worried that despite her wonderful acting that she was vocally weak, but she kept building and building throughout the song seemingly without effort and completely blew me away. I stan, I think she's one of the best Elphaba's I've ever seen. She looked like she was trying not to burst into tears when everyone's laughing at her in the Ozdust Ballroom scene, and there were so many little elements of her performance like that that just really hit me emotionally that I've not seen other actresses do. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on other things she does too!

New York

Last week I was in New York, which even now feels like a surreal sentence to say and now I'm home it half feels like it was all a dream. I've always wanted to visit New York and see a show on Broadway. I don't know if I've got a 'bucket list' per se, but it's just always been a life goal of mine. I've been a fan of musical theatre for most of my life, since I saw the Oliver! revival on the West End as part of a school trip when I was 7 years old. I grew up just outside London and each year my school would trek into the city centre for a matinee performance, a privilege which I took for granted. I was probably about 16 when it went from being something I casually enjoyed to something I was passionate about, and I had wanted to make it my career but life had other plans (which looking back I'm thankful for as I prefer just being a fan, it keeps the magic alive).

I regularly travel into London to see shows, and of course New York has always seemed like the bigger, brighter option. Last November I decided that I'd had enough dreaming and wanted to put things into action. Moulin Rouge had premiered for a limited run in Boston earlier that year, and I was really excited at the prospect of it being adapted to the stage as it's always been one of my favourite movies. I had already felt a little envious watching everything unfold second hand through my computer screen, and decided to turn those negative feelings into something positive. I promised myself that when Moulin Rouge opened on Broadway, I'd be there and would see it with it's original cast. It didn't have a date at that time so I still had the comfort of it feeling a way off. For about a week anyway, and then the dates were announced and panic set in! I realised that I was going to have to buy a ticket on a random date and hope that I could scramble together a trip around it. And that's basically what I did, buying bits of the trip as and when I could afford it and hoping it would all come together. And I did it! And although Moulin Rouge was the catalyst for finally getting me to actually make the trip a reality, obviously seeing Wicked was also very high on my priority list!




I was really glad I picked to see Wicked first as it felt kind of comforting and allowed me to ease in to the differences between Broadway and the West End. It also felt really special seeing my favourite musical in the theatre where it originally opened and as such the original production, or as close to. My first impression of the differences between Broadway and London was mostly just the sheer scale of the theatres themselves. London's theatres are obviously really old buildings, and because of this they're really small and can be really uncomfortable to sit in. The Apollo Victoria where Wicked plays is one of the largest theatres in London, and yet it's probably about half the size of the Gershwin. I was sitting third row from the stage in the orchestra/stalls and could stretch my legs out in front of me and had plenty of elbow room which felt like a real novelty! What I do like about the Apollo Victoria though is that it's all green - the carpet, the chairs, it's all green because it's Wicked, and I was mildly disappointed that the Gershwin didn't go to that level of extra. Also from outside the Gershwin is pretty underwhelming - compare that to that, you know?

I was really happy to see that the London production is almost an exact replica. I don't know what I was expecting, but the only differences where things I already knew about. There were some really minor costume differences (Fiyero's collar on his green suit, Madame Morrible's bustle, really minor stuff that only a fanatic would notice), and obviously some minor staging differences just as the Gershwin stage is so much bigger. In Defying Gravity Elphaba and Glinda come up from a trap door which makes it feel more obvious that they're in an attic, and after Elphaba's levitating spell the broomstick rises up through the stage - I always expected this to be a better effect than London where it floats through the air from the wings, but it just looked like someone lifted it out of a trapdoor and was kind of underwhelming. The one thing I really did like about Broadway was Fiyero's entrance. In London Avaric pulls him in on a cart, whereas on Broadway Avaric is riding the Sawhorse, which probably seems like a small difference but it's pretty huge as it's a reference to Baum and foreshadows Fiyero becoming the Scarecrow and is just a really nice nod to the original Oz lore (and makes Avaric look more like a chauffeur than a man servant).

As for the actual performances, they were as good as you'd expect. I didn't know much about the cast going in as I didn't want to spoil it for myself so had looked up as little as possible.
→ The actress playing Elphaba is brand new to the role (Hannah Corneau) which was kind of exciting as I know they've been recycling actresses for a while.
→ I really loved Ginna Claire Mason as Glinda, her Glinda was really sweet and endearing. I feel like she's read the book of Wicked as she just had all of these little touches and mannerisms that felt more Maguire Glinda than Schwartz Glinda which I really appreciated and gave her a lot more depth. Glinda is usually portrayed kinda 'Mean Girls'-ish and bitchy in the first act, but Ginna made her more naive and impressionable. I liked it a lot!
→ Kyle Dean Massey was Fiyero which kind of made me laugh when I saw it on the cast board as when there's not a Fiyero being advertised you can bet it's him. Vocally he's the strongest Fiyero I've ever seen and his dancing was on point. I was also disappointed that at the end as the Scarecrow there was no Scarecrow walk - is this normal for the Broadway production or did he just not bother? I know the previous Fiyero Ryan McCartan had an ankle injury from the Scarecrow walk, I hope it's not been taken away because of that :( It was weird seeing the Scarecrow just strut onto the stage like he wasn't made of straw.
→ I really like Nancy Opel as Madame Morrible, she's less pantomime-ish than other's I've seen. She played her like a sweet old lady who you gradually realise is more and more problematic the more you get to know her, and I liked that realism as we all know THAT old person.
→ My absolute favourites though were Gizel Jiménez as Nessa and Jesse JP Johnson as Boq, they were just PERFECT. I think Boq can be a difficult character as he can easily come across as an entitled ass, but he made him seem really well meaning and kind hearted but in a clumsy way, which made it all the sadder when he became the Tin Man. And Nessa similarly was played very emotionally instead of as a straight up bitch, and when Boq changed and left her it was genuinely heartbreaking.

For Good

"And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend"

It's rare for me, but this is one illustration I specifically drew to turn into products. Usually I work the other way around and try and figure out how to fit finished pieces into certain items. I've wanted to create charms for a while, and my Wicked illustrations felt like they'd lend themselves perfectly. They're 6cm tall acrylic charms with holographic effect on one side (so as not to obscure the illustration too much, but still keeping it sparkly!) I'm delighted with how they've turned out! There's 5 designs in total, and I have a limited quantity right now because it's kind of terrifying plunging money into stock when you don't know when you'll earn that money back! So the more I sell, the more I can invest back into my shop with even more exciting products. I hope you like them as much as I do, they're available in my Etsy store now!

The emotion it was electric, and the stars they all aligned

I ended up breaking my self imposed 'no theatre until NYC' rule and went to see Wicked on Saturday as several members of the cast were leaving. I wasn't originally going to go to their final show, but decided last minute that I couldn't let the opportunity pass me by and bought a ticket literally the day before.

I've grown really attached to this cast, and have seen them 6 times in total over the past 10 months. They're the cast I've seen whilst I truly fell in love with Wicked, and a lot of their portrayals are no doubt tangled up in my own interpretations of the characters themselves. Wicked and the world of Oz in general have really helped me to find my way out of a dark spot and rediscover myself and my interests, and this cast has been a big part of that journey. Back in September of last year I'd been reveling in the Wicked OBC and L Frank Baum's original novels, and although I'd seen Wicked 8 years before, back then I wasn't really a fan of it and couldn't remember much. I hadn't been to the theatre in years when I decided to go again and it felt like finding my way home. And it was this cast, and I can't thank them enough. Wicked is something that came into my life just when I needed it most, and this cast change feels almost like the end of a chapter. Not of Wicked of course, I can't imagine that, but I guess of that period of my life and the changes that are about to come.


As my booking was so last minute there weren't many seats left to choose from, so I was sat further back in the stalls than usual but it was quite nice actually. I definitely prefer being up near the front, it's just so immersive you completely forget about everyone else in the theatre and there are so many small details you just can't see further back. People kept going to the toilet and the ushers were wandering round and it was all a bit distracting this time, but I liked that I got to fully appreciate details in the set and lighting design that I usually don't notice from up close. Like the Time Dragon, I never realised that he moved so much throughout the show, I was only aware of him being used at the beginning of each act before. And a lot of things were clearer from further away, like the tornado and Dorothy's house flying past, details I was aware of but are much blurrier up close and make much more sense from a distance.

The best part of it though was definitely the atmosphere from the audience. We're generally a bit reserved in this country so I wasn't expecting much, but people were really wooping and there was thunderous applause at the end of basically every song and for Glinda and Elphaba's entrances. It really made it special and I was so glad to be there and get to experience it all first hand, it was definitely a show like no other. They also gave speeches at the end, and it was difficult not to tear up along with them, it was all just really emotional.


I was hoping to stage door and took my programme and a Sharpie with me for the occasion. I've never stage doored before due to anxiety so I really wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm really glad I did it. It was crazy busy as everyone had the same idea, and I was second row back so didn't want to bother too many people asking for photos as it was difficult. Sophie (Glinda) was kind enough to take one high enough to get me in it, and by the time Alice (Elphaba) came along people were leaving after they'd met her so it spaced out a little and I was able to get a nice shot. And it wasn't anywhere as awkward as I'd feared, it was literally just saying hello, asking to sign, I loved your performance, thank you, etc, it was so fast paced there wasn't even time for much else. So if like me you've always been too scared, don't be, there's honestly nothing to it and everyone was so lovely!



I'm so glad I made the last minute decision to go and didn't miss this experience! And the next time I see Wicked will be at the Gershwin Theatre in New York where the show first opened, which just feels so surreal to me right now!

Glinda

This is fairly straight forward, a scene from the musical after 'For Good'. I don't really consider it a spoiler as it happens in The Wizard of Oz too! I just think it's incredibly sad that, as far as Glinda is aware her best friend and only true ally is dead and she has to hide and pretend she isn't there whilst it happens. Glinda's story arc is so heartbreaking, and it's sad how she's so often dismissed as just being a ditz. Elphaba and Fiyero may be fugitives, but at least they get to go on and live their own lives together. Whereas Glinda's left thinking everyone she's ever loved is dead, and has to watch everyone celebrating that fact whilst keeping the lie alive.

My future is unlimited

At the end of May I went down to London for MCM Comic Con, which I hadn't been to since 2011 I think? Cosplay is something I've often been intrigued by and dipped my toe into now and then, I think it's an obvious hobby with me being a bit of a nerd about my interests and being a dress maker and overall crafty type. Confidence is what I lack, but I figured I'd never have any if I didn't force myself out of my comfort zone, so that's what I did. I thought I'd share my costume even though it's not Wicked/Oz related as Frozen does share a lot of parralels with Wicked when you boil it down (I also have a Frozen blog too if you're interested!)


I came home brimming with future cosplay ideas, including cross-play which isn't an idea I'd even really thought of before for some reason? I don't know why, I guess I just felt like because I'm a girl I have to stick to female characters, but I saw some wonderful female cosplayers convincingly portraying male characters and felt inspired! It's definitely brand new territory, but something I'd really love to explore as a lot of my favourite characters are male (including Fiyero!).

I made a whole weekend of the trip and on Saturday after Comic Con I quickly nipped back to my hotel to de-Elsafy myself before going to see Wicked. It'll probably be my last time seeing it for a little while, and so my last time seeing the current cast who I really love which felt a bit sad. I also got to see Chris Jarman play the Wizard, who was fantastic! The next time I see Wicked will be at the Gershwin Theatre in New York, which feels beyond surreal!



I can't resist taking a thousand photos of the Time Dragon every time, I love the set design for Wicked so much!
Sunday was a pretty chilled out day and I spent most of it with my sketchbook. I did some sketching in the museums, then sat in Starbucks and watched the city go by while I finished off some Wicked illustrations as I felt inspired after seeing it again. I found Comic Con hugely inspiring as well, as it got me thinking about translating my work into products and what might work. I'm working on expanding my Wicked character set and I plan on turning them into key ring charms and sticker sheets - I've already got Boq and Nessarose sketched out.

What is this feeling?

Yesterday I popped down to London to see Wicked for the first time in ages, and I can't tell you how much better I feel for having gone!

I had the whole day in London, and decided to go to the V&A as I haven't been since the Pink Floyd exhibition closed. I went upstairs to see the Theatre & Performance section and marveled at all of the Beatrix Potter illustrations I passed. And the theatre exhibition was fab and it's been so many years since I've seen it that it all felt new. And they had Elphaba's dress!! I knew that it was there but I'd completely forgotten so it was a really happy surprise turning the corner and stumbling across it. It's the original dress that Idina Menzel wore on Broadway which is pretty amazing, and seeing all of the details and rich colours up close was a joy. Even when I'm looking at it up on stage I've always been obsessed with just how colourful it is and how the stage lights play with the different fabrics. I would really love to make my own version of it someday for cosplay but I feel like I'd never be able to do it justice as it's just so intricate and carefully designed.





Seeing Wicked again affected me far more than I thought it would. I know I last saw it in November which isn't that long ago, but with everything that's happened it feels like an age. I got teary as soon as the music started, and it just made me feel like my old self again. I keep going on about wanting to reconnect with how I felt last year, and I realised that Wicked and the theatre is a huge part of that. It made me refocus and think about visiting Broadway and going to Japan and that I need to sort myself out instead of wasting opportunities. I need to think long term instead of instant gratification like I have been. I don't know what it is about this show that affects me like that, but it just makes me want to be a better person, achieve what I set out to do and go for my dreams. I just love this show so much, and I'm so glad I got to see it again and be reminded of all of this.




I like collecting magnets as a way of commemorating places I go and things I've seen. It's a cheap little memento, and I like to think that one day I'll have all of my memories covering my refrigerator so that I can always smile whenever I'm doing something as mundane as making a cup of tea. I didn't have the London specific one, and as I'll be seeing Wicked on Broadway in a few months (!!) I want to make sure that I have a specific magnet for each.

Wickedness must be punished, Kill the Witch!

I kind of dreamed this up and had it as a thumbnail in my sketchbook for the longest time. I was going back through my rough drafts recently and decided to get it actually drawn up as I like the idea, even if it is a bit dark. It's difficult to imagine Elphaba and Fiyero could escape the Emerald City without the Gale Force being close behind, watching (especially if you're familiar with the book, I was definitely inspired by Fiyero's final scene)

It was harder to draw than I anticipated, mostly just trying to work out how much 'there' was just the right amount for the Gale Force. They needed to be visible enough for the viewer to see them lurking, but not clear enough that Elphaba and Fiyero just appear stupidly oblivious. Hopefully I got the balance right!

This was one of the few art pieces I've done recently where I was thinking of an end product while I was creating it, which was mostly poster design and thinking in terms of movie posters and the like. Something narrative driven, that can still be understood by those unfamiliar with the plot and exists wholly within the one illustration. Which I think is why I feel like I don't have a whole lot to say about this piece, as I intended it to talk for me and require no explanation. Hopefully it should make a nice print!