Defiance 0 Gravity 1

Elphaba's levitation spell let her down badly tonight (10 October) as she remained resolutely on terra firma during 'Defying Gravity'. Is the 'cherry picker' machine failing much?

I have to say that the fallback position when it does go wrong looks really weak. For a start a black-shirted operative has to pop on to the stage to release Idina Menzel from the contraption. Then the guards lie down 'in awe' as she towers five feet above their heads. The lighting looks a mess because its all set for Elphaba to soar.

They need to design a more convincing alternative when it fails. It would be better if the guards and Glinda gathered around Elphaba as she walks to the front of the stage and fanned out walking backwards away from her as the clock mechanism bits of set move towards the side of the stage. At least it would indicate she was soaring away.Come on guys - get an alternative program in the software!

Couple of other things looked ragged tonight - James Gillan too readily jumped from Nessa's wheelchair for the body double swap. There were a few ragged lighting changes and the dry ice stuff failed to materialise on half of the stage for 'As Long As You're Mine' and 'No Good Deed'.

Performances were all great - technicals let them down tonight.

They are not really having 'automation problems'. This was actually only the second time Elphaba hasn't flown since the show started on September 7th.

I have seen the show a number of times - so for me it was actually quite interesting to see what happens when, for whatever reason, she doesn't fly; a shame for all of the people who can see it only once though.

I just think that they could design a better fallback position.

"after what happened on Broadway to Idina"

What Happened?!?!?!

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not a few nights... just the night before her last nite

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Yes, the title is wonderfully cheeky isn't it?

I'd feel so awful for Elphie if she didnt go up. But thats the danger of live theatre...stuff breaks.

Maybe the guards could be trying to close in on her, but whenever they get close, she just blows them away with some crazy loud belting and they fall over.