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Entertainment

23rd Jul 2018

I spent a day on the set of WICKED the musical and now I want to quit my job

I can't stop talking about it!

Denise Curtin

Have you heard? Wicked, the hit musical has landed in Dublin.

The spectacular Broadway and West End phenomenon, seen by over 55 million people is once again in Dublin. This time, it’s here for seven weeks at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre.

Wicked, the Wizard of Oz “prequel”, tells the story of an unlikely friendship between two sorcery students, Elphaba and Glinda. However, following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take two very different paths, which in turn lead them to fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. Are these once friends now parted forever?

Wicked features hit, original songs including Defying Gravity, Popular and For Good which, in tow with an incredible set, dazzling costumes and mesmerising pyrotechnics make for a show you just cannot miss.

And luckily for me, last Wednesday, I went to visit the Wicked cast and have a snoop around backstage. And let me tell you, I now want to join the production as I haven’t shut up about it since.

With a crew of over 40 people, a “wardrobe village” dedicated to just costumes AND the one and only bubble ride, which is the famous bubble Glinda makes her debut in! It’s safe to say the hype and excitement backstage plays out just like you see it at the front of house.

I can truly see why all the cast are so excited when they hit that stage because the adrenaline rush is seriously real. I was lucky enough to blag my way into Glinda’s bubble, getting harnessed in to take a ride into the air above the stage and I can confirm, the view from the top is pretty sweet. I could feel the buzz of excitement as I lifted up and this was when there was nobody in the audience. Imagine what it’s like to a packed theatre? Insane.

Up, up and away!

And, if you’re heading to the show, here’s a little bit of insider goss, when you hear the pre-show announcements at the beginning of the show, Glinda is already harnessed into the bubble waiting side stage. Oh, and her dress weighs a staggering 10kgs! Yep, 10KG!

I got to chat to Glinda, who is played by Helen Woolf, just ahead of my bubble ride and she told me exactly what it’s like to star in the show.

You can check out just what it looks like behind-the-scenes here plus my chat with one of the stars.

You can purchase tickets for Wicked here with shows until Saturday, September 1.