Ensemble Theatre Group

There is a super hit musical that has broken all earlier box office records and is set to become a legend on Broadway. This is “Wicked”, which is running for four years in the theatres! Had anybody thought that the mystifying tale of the witches of Oz could intrigue audience to such an extent? Well, the director of the musical, Joe Mantello, and the book writer, Winnie Holzman, certainly wouldn’t have!

However, with a fabulous music and lyrics given by Stephen Schwartz and musical staging done by Wayne Cilento, “Wicked” wouldn’t have been better! The story is based on Gregory Maguire’s best selling novel. The story talks about the life of two girls, who meet in Oz before the entry of Dorothy.

One of them has an emerald green skin with smart and fiery looks. She is largely misunderstood. The other one is pretty, highly ambitious, and popular. Wicked follows the two young women, who are completely different from each other. One of them becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, while the other turns into Glinda, the Good witch. The story has many new as well as familiar characters to watch out for.

The show stars Julia Murney in the role of Elphaba; Kendra Kassehaum plays the role of Glinda, the good witch; Lenny Wolpe can be seen as The Wizard; Sebastian Arcelus plays the role of Fiyero; Jane Houdyshelll performs beautifully as Madame Morrible; Cristy Candler is Nessarose; Logan Lipton can be seen as Boq; and Steven Skybell is Doctor Dillamond in the story. The entire star cast has displayed a remarkable performance, thus, contributing to its phenomenal success.

This show is prohibited for children below 4 years of age. Although, the show is free of sexual depictions, there are a few adult themes that might not be appropriate for children. The show runs for 2 hours and 45 minutes, yet, you never feel bored a single second. In fact, you hardly remember to glance at your watch! As the mystery of the two witches unfolds, you are spell bound by the picturization and action happening on stage. The most interesting part of the story is when they show how the two girls turn into completely different witches!

The entire Land of Oz comes to life on the stage! You are gripped by the charisma of each character and can hardly escape! If you want to experience the thrill of spending time with witches, then book your tickets fast through phone or internet. The best place to watch “Wicked” is from the front row seats! How close you are to the magical land, the land where there is good as well as evil magic, where the witches are fiery, ambitious, beautiful, and popular!

There is something in “Wicked” that draws audience like bees to honey. Has the director cast a magic spell on the show or did the wizard of Oz come to life during the making of the show? Perhaps, it’s just the coming together of highly talented and creative artists that have made history on Broadway!

London’s West End is often considered a mecca for live stage entertainment. Musicals, drama, comedy, tragedy, opera, and just about any other theatrical genre you can think of are all showing in London’s famous entertainment district throughout the year. With a choice of over 100 productions playing at any one time there’s bound to be something that appeals, so why not combine a theatre trip with an overnight stay in a West End hotel?

When you’re looking for ideas as to what to see in the West End, consider all your options carefully. The fantastic musical “We Will Rock You” at the Dominion features the stirring music of rock group ‘Queen’. Alternatively, if you love a good cliff-hanger, the classic “The 39 Steps” should do the trick.

Meanwhile, if reality TV and the search for stars to appear in ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘Grease’ and ‘Joseph’ has whetted your appetite – if so, make sure you secure a ticket for one of these un-missable shows. Or for something a little more traditional, opt for a trip to a stirring opera such as Verdi’s ‘Aida’ or maybe a trip to the ballet in Covent Garden.

The beauty of London’s West End, however, is that so much is packed into such a small area: theatres, hotels, restaurants, pubs, and shops are all conveniently located close together – making it a great place to visit for an action-packed break. Also, many restaurants in the West End offer a special value menu for theatre-goers wishing to eat before attending their selected performance, especially in the area around Leicester Square – so remember to take advantage!

Theatre breaks are not just a summer activity, but can be enjoyed all-year round. Moreover, London’s tumult of activity never ceases, so you’ll be able to see the sights whether you visit in the height of summer or the depths of winter. With many historic attractions, such as Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster, plus far more besides, you will never be stuck for attractions to appreciate. Plus, many of the other marvellous sights of the country’s capital are just a short journey away from the West End, including London’s newly crowned number one tourist attraction – The London Eye.

And no visit to London would be complete without a spot of shopping! Hot-spots such as Oxford Street, Regents Street, Carnaby Street and Knightsbridge are all ripe for a spot of retail therapy. From chain stores to exclusive designer shops you’ll find them all, but remember to get back to your hotel in plenty of time to change for curtain-up!

Perhaps your ideal theatre break involves adding romance to your theatre break with a stay in an intimate boutique hotel in London with your partner, or maybe you just want to plump for a budget hotel. Either way by booking a hotel in the West End you’ll never be far away from the spotlight.