Hit musical Wicked reimagines the story of The Wizard Of Oz from the perspective of Elphaba (who becomes known as the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda, the Good Witch. Twenty years on from its first-ever staging, the show is once again touring the UK. What’s On caught up with Laura Pick (Elphaba) and Sarah O’Connor (Glinda) to find out why the musical remains so Popular...

Wicked has become a huge hit around the world. What makes the story so special? 
Laura: It means so much to so many people. I think no matter who you are, where you’re from, or what your life experience is, there’s something in this show for everyone. It’s about this beautiful, strong friendship between two women - I think we as women can relate to it. 
Sarah: Whoever goes to see it will find something different from their perspective. There’s not just one ‘lesson’ or one storyline; you can pull from it what you want and what connects and resonates with you most, be it a love story, finding who you are, wanting to better yourself in a community, or becoming a better person. It’s a well-rounded musical - it’s great!

Have either of you played these characters before?
L: I have. I was stand-by Elphaba at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London for two years, and then I took over the role for about six months in total. I said during our rehearsal process that I’ve been on a completely different journey with the story this time. It feels brand new again.
S: It’s my first time! I’m loving it. It’s quite a beast, but it’s been very exciting with Laura having done it before. She knows it, and feels like a really strong anchor for me to play against, but she’s also been really open to finding a new journey for Elphaba and Glinda together. 

Have you enjoyed working together to build the characters’ relationship? 
L: The funny thing is, during the show, other than moments on stage, we don’t see each other. We have to make the effort to pop into each other’s rooms, or go for a coffee. The special thing about Elphaba and Glinda is that you can find ways to communicate just with a look. Sarah had cut her arm one day on a very sharp sequin - I noticed it. Within five seconds, we’d communicated just with our eyes: ‘Are you okay?’ ‘Yeah, I’m okay, I know about it!’
S: ...While we were singing a duet! We’ve had many conversations with our eyes - it’s hilarious. Laura will be in my life forever. It’s an absolutely amazing connection that we’ve got, and we feel very lucky to be working with each other. We’re having the best time, and we know we have each other.
L: It’s been lovely seeing feedback from fans or reviews, where people are saying that the chemistry between us is so strong.
S: You can tell we’re friends off stage as well. L: That’s what she thinks!

Getting hurt by a sequin might be the most showbiz injury of all time!
S: You’re telling me! That was my wand... it’s really dangerous stuff, you know!

For a lot of musical theatre performers, these roles are on their ‘bucket list’. Was that the case for you?
S: Yes, and I think that comes with the weight of the role. It’s so important to get it right and deliver it as best we can. We know how lucky we are - we work hard. You have to have talent, and you have to have a really good work ethic and audition... but there is an element of luck. I auditioned for Elphaba for years! It just wasn’t sitting right. Then I found my inner comedy, and I thought ‘Maybe I’m a Glinda,’ and it made way more sense. When I met Laura, I thought ‘You’re the kind of person who needs to play Elphaba.’ Her vocals are ridiculous!
L: I wouldn’t even dream about playing Glinda! It’s a completely different beast. We both understand how challenging each other’s roles are. Sarah makes it sound so easy. 

The show is full of amazing songs, but Defying Gravity (sung by Elphaba) and Popular (by Glinda) are huge. When preparing to sing, did you look back at iconic performances, or did you try to distance yourself?
L: I still do! I still spend time on YouTube...
S: I’ve watched a lot of both Elphaba and Glinda - every country, every language, every version - but you cannot use those for your own version. It wouldn’t be your natural progression in the role. I’ve watched them all, but I didn’t go anywhere near them when I was choosing what I wanted to do with Glinda. 
L: There’s a lot of previous Elphabas all over the world that add riffs, but if it doesn’t benefit the storytelling, why would we be doing this beautiful riff on the word ‘and’? You listen and think ‘I like the way that they’ve phrased that, I like the way they’ve put that sentence together.’ And don’t get me wrong, I’m sure we’ve been listening to the soundtrack on repeat from age 13. 
S: Yeah... I could sing all the parts. 
L: I wonder whether we could put on a two-woman show?
S: I reckon we could. 

Laura, can you tell us what it’s like when you’re actually defying gravity on stage?
L: Flying is great. I love it! It was definitely nerve-wracking the first few times, but now it’s just part of my day. You mentioned Popular and Defying Gravity being two of the most iconic songs, and we’re actually both on stage for the whole time during those, so we get to share that moment. 
S: Well, while you’re singing those notes, I don’t think you’re worrying about how high you are!

Sarah, do you see any of yourself in Glinda, or are you very different people?
S: There are little elements... I’m definitely a lot more like ‘Act Two Glinda’ than ‘Act One Glinda’. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth, I don’t just say things that I’m thinking, and I’m not going to climb up the ladder any way I can... I think I’m answering my own question here - no, we’re not similar! I can be on the spot and witty sometimes, but generally no. In Act Two, she’s a lot more grounded and grown-up, so I can connect with her there. She’s probably the furthest I’ve ever been from a character - but that’s why I love her. When I come out of the stage door, people don’t even know it’s me.

Are you excited about the new Wicked film, which is coming out in November?
L: We’d better be invited!
S: If we don’t get a private screening, I’ll be livid.
L: I want to be invited to the real deal - the premiere in London. 
S: I would love if the whole touring production could rent a cinema for the day, and go together, and enjoy it as a team. That would be cool - and we can all dress up! 
L: We could just go after work in our costumes! The film is going to be so different from the musical - I’m excited. 

Wicked shows at Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 5 March to Sunday 7 April

Feature by Jessica Clixby