Following last month’s thrillifying celebrations as the hit musical enters its third decade, London’s original Glinda reflects on her journey with the show, chatting with Guillermo Nazara about its challenges, lessons, and what’s made it popular for good.
How did it feel to reunite with the show that started your career in musical theatre?
It was such a wonderful celebration of a really significant milestone. It was so special to be in the audience of the 20th anniversary show, and to catch up with all my original cast mates. Wicked changed my life, and I’m so glad I could be there to mark it.
The show was already a massive hit on Broadway by the time it came to London. As a performer, did you feel you had the task to replicate the same outcome on the London stage?
Yes! It was a lot to live up to. But we had a not-so-secret weapon in Idina Menzel, which meant that so much of the Broadway magic was already with us. We just had to meet her there.
How daunting was it to being passed the wand and stepping into Kristin Chenoweth’s slippers?
She was certainly a hard act to follow, but what was wonderful about it was that I had the opportunity to make the character my own, as the first British Glinda.
How did you take on the challenge of playing such a vocally and physically demanding role with no previous musical theatre experience?
Although I hadn’t been in a major commercial musical before, I had performed in lots of plays and been a classically trained singer for many years, so I already had a discipline around my work. But musical theatre roles of that size require a huge amount of stamina, which is something I learned on the job! I definitely wasn’t going for drinks after work every night. Sleep, hydration, nutrition, and vocal rest are all vital for an eight show week.
What was your personal approach to the character? What did you bring into it and why?
Although Glinda has many comedic moments, she also has a huge emotional arc, so there has to be depth to her as well. The accent, the voice, the physicality — all had to come from a real place. I believe the most effective comedy is always grounded in truth.
Twenty years of experience later, would you have changed anything in your portrayal?
No, I don’t think so. I was young and naive then, and so is Glinda. It was the right time in my life to play that character.
What other challenges did you find in the role/show?
It was physically demanding, for sure. The ‘bubble’ dress weighs an absolute ton, with a corset and a harness underneath — and high heels in every scene. I had a foot bath in my dressing room that I would soak my feet in after every show. I used to joke with my dresser that my next job would be a ’nice little Pinter’, in jeans and a T-shirt.
What other character (male or female) would you have loved to play as well?
I don’t think there’s a singer in the world who wouldn’t like to have a go at those Elphaba songs! But I reckon I’ve got a Madam Morrible in me in the not-too-distant future.
Why do you think Wicked is still relevant to new generations of theatregoers?
I think everyone loves a story about an outlier fighting the powers that be. And the beautiful female friendship at its heart makes such a change from the usual romantic love story that most shows are centered around. It’s the very proof that audiences are drawn to female-driven stories.
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Wicked plays at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre from Tuesday to Sundays. Tickets are available on the following link.