Apollo Victoria Theatre

Neo001001

This most definately is Wicked ! 4th September 2008

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My wife had been on at me for a while to take her to the theatre, so not being one for that sort of thing I had a look around at what was on and settled on seeing Wicked at the Apollo theatre. As this was somewhat based around the Wizard of Oz i thought how bad can it be. So I bought the tickets and off we went. I was a little apprehensive and expected to be bored. How wrong was I! From the moment it started I was blown away. This is quite simply one of the best experiences I can remember. The cast were fantastic. I came out singing the songs in my head and had to buy the soundtrack. Which was a little bit of a let down as it is the broadway cast. I wanted to hear the London cast belting out the tunes again. The story is well told and cleverly linked in to the Wizard of Oz. I would highly recommend this show. I'm by no means a theatre lover but would go and see this again in a heartbeat. It simply is wicked!

doodlekitten

Is it is it Wicked? Oh Yes!!!! 28th August 2008

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Our visit in August was purely motivated by location- we decided to go and see Wicked in the Apollo Victoria as we were staying in a hotel just around the corner. Having bought a ticket on the day from a stall in Leicester Square (not the best idea in the world!) we had no idea what we were in for, and luckily we weren’t disappointed. The show itself was brilliant, and I had no idea how big the theatre would be, so the sheer number of seats took my breath away.

Unlike other theatres I have been in, there seemed to be just one seating area, and the price of your ticket merely decreased the further back you sat (unless you buy elsewhere in which case the selling fees can be crazy!). We ended up in the second back row, with many other tourists who also found themselves with seats further back than they realized. Anticipating the restricted view from the back, binoculars can be found for 50p hire between each pair of seats, which thoroughly enhanced our experience. There seemed to be no problem with sound from our seat as each breath is clearly audible, and the binoculars solved the problem of distance from the stage.

One quibble was over the toilets, in particular the ladies- the entrance was a tight squeeze and with only three cubicles the queue was considerable. Other than this, we had a fantastic night and would definately return (although we would purchase tickets directly from their box office next time!)

Happyjaw

The Verdi Gris inside 25th August 2008

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I was under the impression that the interior decor had been created, undoubtedly at great expense, just for the current show in residence, Wicked.

However, that is inaccurate, the theatre has undergone renovations throughout some of the most artistic eras in the UK which is where the fantastic and somewhat ethereal design comes from.

The building was designed as the New Victoria 'super cinema' by E. Warmsley Lewis and W E Trent in 1929 in it's fantastic art deco style. The building is created in severe and unattractive concrete, relieved by vertical fluting to the front, and horizontal fluting to the side. The standard bore of concrete is dressed with polished marble, granite, and chrome detailing.

The cinema closed in 1975, reopening six years later as the New Victoria Theatre, with a concert by Shirley Bassey to celebrate the opening night.

For 18 years, the theatre was home to Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, Starlight Express, for which the theatre was extensively redesigned to accommodate a complex roller skating performance arena.

The interior design colour seems to be purely coincidental, the lead character in Wicked is green skinned and the show has a green theme coursing throughout which is demonstrative of much of the story line. The green features throughout the theatre decor and really does add to the whole experience.

I can't imagine another show fitting in quite so well.
The staff at the theatre were very polite and courteous.
The concessions stands are not well placed which causes problems when queueing during intervals, the same applies to the lavatories which are not easy to access.

The building does have multiple entrances which creates some respite to the colossal amount of people entering the building for the shows.

DanniLou85

The best night out in London 24th August 2008

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First of all, I have to say, I go to the theatre a lot! However, Wicked is my favourite show by far! I've seen it 5 times now (yes, I'm a loser) and it's incredible! Kerry Ellis (who has now departed for the States) is the most talented singer in the West End/Broadway and her replacement is doing a great job in her absence. Dianne Pilkington who plays Glinda is hilarious in the role.

The songs are catchy, the story moving, the acting/singing fantastic and the ovation that they receive every night is well deserved.

10/10 - go and see it!

ablair9999

A Wicked Night Out! 4th April 2008

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The Apollo Victoria Theatre is the current home of the London production of Wicked.

We went with friends last night - it was fantastic!

The theatre itself is a beautiful example of the art deco style. Inside they are in the slow process of refurbishing and retuurning it to it's former glory. For some reason in the past everything was covers in brown paint but they have already uncovered some beautiful features.

The show was OMG amazing. I was a little dubious beforehand (we were bought the tickets) however I definately left covered in more than a little Oz Dust!

I won't go into too much detail as I would hate to ruin the surprises, but is is essentially the story of the good witch Glinda and the Wicked Witch from the original Wizard Of Oz - where they were from and why one is good and the other Wicked!

The set, lighting and production values are all very good indeed. The performers very talented, and the show very entertaining. This show will run and run - last night, a normal Thursday and they still get a standing ovation!

Thoroughly recommended!