Well most UK critics HATE Wicked

[west end artist1]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 12:00pm

The reviews here in the UK have not been kind to the green one im afraid.One critic gave it 0 stars out of 5 ouch.It's a shame because it's such a fun show and im quite angry with the critics because they seem to be bashing it because its a well hyped show(our critics are normally more diplomatic in there reviews).

This wont effect it's run here at all though(our critics dont have the power to close shows,the audience make up it's own minds)and so far the audience are loving it.

xx

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 12:01pm

Guess what? The NY critics didn't like it either.

Obviously that doesn't matter with this show.

[leefowler]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 12:08pm

If there was EVER a critic proof show...

Updated On: 10/1/06 at 12:08 PM

[greeneyed_one]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 12:10pm

Even if you didn't like the show, 0 out of 5 stars is rather...harsh. I have a hard time imagining someone truely hating the show THAT much. If anything one could simply write it off as a children's show and move on.

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 12:16pm

0 out of 5 stars is way harsh. There's no way that it has absoultely NO redeeming qualities. I mean, if they give Wicked 0 stars, what would they have to give something like, oh, I don't know...Good Vibrations?

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 12:18pm

It really is no suprise. The critics here felt the same.

It just shows that this production may not be that great. So-so score, awful book, but it has some good performances, and nice sets and costumes. But those nice aspects can't outweigh the not so good score and book, which should be the two most important aspects of the show. But to the fans and average audience, this show is like heaven, it's the best thing they've ever seen.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 12:20pm

0 out of 5 DOES seem a little harsh... even for a show like Wicked.

[greeneyed_one]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 12:22pm

I just can't believe that a critic sat there watching the show and could not find ONE thing he/she liked about the show- acting? costumes? set? one musical number? As ElphieDefiesGravity said if they give Wicked a 0 they have basically said that musical theater cannot get worse. I really don't think that's fair.

[Claire2141]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 12:29pm

No I don't think it's especially fair....personally I really like the show but I can see why people might not like it. 0 out of 5 is especially unfair though.

The audiences aren't agreeing though, flocking in droves still. We love it and love Idina. Our critics are just (IMHO) going with a 'I'm going to hate this' hat on and are not changing their minds.

[Claire2141]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 12:29pm

Sorry double post... Updated On: 10/1/06 at 12:29 PM

[actor]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 12:48pm

Obviously this is absurd. Musical theatre can definitely get worse than Wicked. So Wicked's not the best - deal with it. A 0 out of 5 is unbelievably harsh.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 12:57pm

Whoa 0 out of 5 is really harsh. I would say at least 2 out of 5.
Updated On: 10/1/06 at 12:57 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 1:01pm

I'd give Wick 2 out of 5.

[actor]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 1:07pm

At the very least a 2 out of 5.

[Sant]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 1:10pm

I don't think the negative review have any effect on the ticket sales in the UK. Word of mouth will keep the auditorium full night after night, just like on Broadway.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of reviews did THE PRODUCERS get in London? If there ever was a "much ado about nothing" show, that one's it!

[actor]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 1:15pm

In my personal opinion Wicked is going to crash. Not anytime soon, but in a couple of years. London, Chicago, LA, and the tour will close. The Broadway show will hold on for a while, then will eventually close. Wicked can't stay this popular for much longer.

This is because:

1. It isn't filled with what one might call "showtunes" but with pop songs.
2. It isn't all that great.
3. The talent is running out.
4. No show has been this popular for more than a couple of years in the history of musical theatre. It just doesn't happen.

But we'll see what happens.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 1:23pm

To address your reasons...

1) One could argue the fact that the score is filled with more "pop songs" is a reason why it will remain popular much longer.

2) Lots of shows have run a lot longer than Wicked that are not nearly as good (coughCatscough).

3) The talent most certainly isn't running out. There are plenty of enormously talented actresses that have yet to put on the green makeup or fly in the bubble.

4) What about The Lion King? Mamma Mia?

[WickedForever2]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 1:27pm

Agreed 0 out of 5 is too harsh. The show may not have some deep message to send viewers home with, but it provides an evening of entertainment. I left smiling and amazed at how good it was (the US tour with Sho and Megan) and was eager to go back which I did three more times (YAY for lotto!!!) I actually read a review (and of course I can't remember where) by an American who went to London for the opening and he thought a lot of the negative press was due to the fact that critics hate seeing a show that is already a "hit." He said they feel like they have nothing new they can discover for themselves.... but most critics love Idina, so I'm a happy camper!

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 1:36pm

"3. The talent is running out."

The talent is not running out. That is like saying that Broadway shows will soon all close because talent is running out.

"1. It isn't filled with what one might call "showtunes" but with pop songs"

It dosn't matter if the songs aren't that "showtun-ish." Lots of Broadway shows song's aren't what would be considered "Showtunes". That is ridiculous reason that it wouldn't run.

"2. It isn't all that great."

True but, when people hear that Oz's the backstory of the Wizard of Oz it sound pretty intresting.

[actor]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 1:40pm

Sorry, but almost everyone has seen Wicked. Most people seeing it for the first time are tourists. Also, the talent is running out for Wicked only. What are they doing? They are bringing Ana to the role... Why can't they find someone new?

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 1:45pm

"Sorry, but almost everyone has seen Wicked. Most people seeing it for the first time are tourists. Also, the talent is running out for Wicked only. What are they doing? They are bringing Ana to the role... Why can't they find someone new?"

They could find someone new but, Kate and Ana said they would both do it on Broadway together. After Ana I think they will find someone new.Just because they're recycling people dosn't mean there is no one else to do the roles.
Updated On: 10/1/06 at 01:45 PM

[Weez]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 1:49pm

I did actually find a review today that gave 'Wicked' 4 out of 5 stars! I was going to steal it from the staff room, but got a little over-excited at the thought of seeing the Big Key in action and forgot. I'll have a look tomorrow though!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 2:16pm

"Sorry, but almost everyone has seen Wicked. Most people seeing it for the first time are tourists."

Your logic doesn't follow...if that's the case, who is keeping The Lion King going? Phantom? Mamma Mia?

"Also, the talent is running out for Wicked only. What are they doing? They are bringing Ana to the role... Why can't they find someone new?"

They're bringing Ana in to NY because she's a proven commodity in the role, not because they can't find anyone else. Go search for one of the "Who should be the next Elphie?" threads and you'll see there are plenty of talented women who haven't suited up yet.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 2:25pm

as others have said, 0 out of 5 stars?
it isnt THAT bad!
i mean, if WICKED got 0, i wonder what MAMMA-MIA! got...like a
-3?

[luvliza89]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 2:29pm

This isn't anything new. I'm sure the show will stay open for years longer then it needs to.