With the Wicked film being so popular around the world right now, it seems the perfect time for three of the most beloved performers from the UK stage show, to get together for a very special concert performance of GRAVITY at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Kerry Ellis (known lovingly as Queen of the West End) was the first British actor to play the role of Elphaba, understudying Idina Menzel (and then taking over the role) in the London premiere of Wicked the Musical in 2006.

Kerry sang solos of Anthem from Chess, I Could Have Danced All Night from My Fair Lady (a role she had performed in the very same theatre where Queen guitarist Brian May saw her and cast her in his show We Will Rock You) and Always Starting Over from If/Then – another Idina Menzel musical, which she performed in concert earlier this year.

Louise Dearman is still the only person to ever play both leading roles Elphaba and Glinda (not at the same time) in Wicked the Musical.

Louise performed solo versions of the Prologue from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a stunning rendition of Meadowlark from The Bakers Wife and a not so subtle public audition of For The Gaze from the soon to be London bound Broadway transfer of Death Becomes Her. This highly anticipated musical must be having its casting directors door battered down by every woman in the industry right now as everyone seems determined to be in it.

Rachel Tucker – who I think may be the longest running Elphaba in the UK, sang her final audition song from the TV talent show I’d Do Anything, Cabaret as well as As If We Never Said Goodbye from Sunset Boulevard a show in which she alternated the role of Norma Desmond with Nicole Scherzinger last year.

It was however Rachel’s rendition of Rose’s Turn from Gypsy which was the highlight for me. It’s such a strange song to sing out of context of the show (even Audra Mcdonald’s Tony Awards performance this year felt misplaced) but Rachel knew how to perform it perfectly.

As expected, the show was peppered throughout with classic songs from Wicked (some with new arrangements) – The Wizard and I, For Good, No Good Deed and of course Defying Gravity.

Elton John, Smash, Dolly Parton, Beyoncé and Donna Summer all featured in the show as well as a mash up of The Greatest Showman songs to close the first half.

The winning performance of the night has to go to the trio’s performance of You Gotta Get A Gimmick from Gypsy where they lovingly played around with what makes them stand out in the world of Wicked.

Gravity isn’t just a concert from three powerhouse performers who have earned their stripes in the theatre world. It is a coven of Wicked Witches, defying expectations on the London West End stage.

★★★★★

West End Wilma