Review - Wicked

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Book by Winnie Holzman, based on the novel by Gregory Maguire. Mercedes College. Directed by Kathleen Cocks. Regal Theatre, Subiaco, WA. August 2-4, 2019.

Mercedes College’s production of Wicked belies the fact it is a school production. This high quality show, with second-to-none production values, professional quality orchestra and amazing performances deserved its capacity houses, which were captivated by this high energy and stunning production.

The witches of Oz were excellent, working beautifully together and with other cast members. Jayda D’Agostino wowed the audience with her outstanding vocals and wonderfully loveable Elphaba, while Keely McMillan was a funny and likeable Galinda, with a gorgeous voice. Huge roles for young performers, and filled very well.

Rhys Agnotroti, handsome and charming, brought layers to pretty-boy prince, and centre of the love triangle, Fiyero. Stephanie Shaw brought beautiful vocals and a depth of performance to Nessarose, working well with Anton Coomblas, as Boq, delivering a lovely performance - it is hard to believe he is only 12 years old.

Charlotte Kiely brought maturity and great style to the villainous Madame Morrible, a big bright performance, contrasting nicely with Mackenzie Brown’s expertly understated Wizard. Abbey Breust pulled an impressive and unusual doubling of Dr Dillamond and the Midwife.

An ensemble of seventy were highly focused, energetic and in fine voice, executing Emily Hunt’s very creative choreography with style. Standouts included Daisy Holder’s beautifully physicalised Chistery, Gabe Sharra’s complex Governor, Bianca Metcalf and Jada Ratree’s mean-girl Pfanee and Shen Shen, Tiandra Seal and Aliyah Fedic’s Guards, but all of the cast were hard-working with professional presentation.

A wonderful looking production - Jo Driscoll’s costumes were a triumph, with top-notch attention to detail and a wonderful overall vision, with some costumes designed and constructed by textiles students. The scenic design, by Performing Arts Link was superb, with effective lighting by Kerrie Wilhusen.

The production also sounded beautiful, with awesome vocals backed by a great orchestra, using both students and community members, under the leadership of Harry Oliff.

“Congratotions" to the Mercedes Community for this excellent initiative, a wonderful showcase of the talents of many departments at Mercedes and of their disciplined, talented student body.

Kimberley Shaw