The dragon on’t clock and map of Oz

In addition to my obsession with Alice in Wonderland, I have an obsession with The Wizard of Oz. In fact, my love of the Merry Old Land of Oz came first. When I was a toddler I would force my parents to play the video two or three times a day, I had a black rabbit called Dorothy and a little white guinea pig called Scarecrow, there are videos of me singing Somewhere Over The Rainbow before I could properly walk in a voice which sounds strangely like Donald Duck. Imagine, a tiny little Donald Duck with blonde curls and a Welsh accent. Chilling, isn’t it?

Anyway, where I’m headed with this is, that when I heard about Gregory Maguire’s Wicked and the musical adaptation I was very excited. I hadn’t heard of either until the musical came to the West End, but my boyfriend bought me the novel in the summer of 2006 ahead of the musical arriving, and for my 21st birthday I was promised tickets to the show… which didn’t materialise until my 26th birthday, but wow, it was worth the five-year wait.

The plot of the musical differed from the plot of the book in many ways (as I explained to my poor boyfriend during the interval, he received something of an academic lecture on the differences) but ultimately to make the plot suitable for a musical and family audience. The book was quite political and adult in places, so it’s been simplified and sweetened, but ultimately the spirit of the piece remained intact so I was happy. The only thing I didn’t really see the need for was the shift in Fiyero’s character. He starts off in the musical with a lot more swagger than I remember and I just thought it was a bit unnecessary. Otherwise, I loved it. Loved the costumes, loved the songs, loved the set and loved the performances.

I’m definitely getting myself the soundtrack, and maybe even a beautifully tragic t-shirt. It seems appropriate.

I had a great time in London too. Given that I’m still on crutches, my boyfriend supplemented the 21st birthday present with a stay in a nice hotel opposite Fortnum and Mason, and even treated my macaroon addiction. Yum. I want this pouring tea-pot decoration. Anyone fancy stealing (or buying, I suppose that should’ve been the first option…) it for me?