BEHIND THE SCENES WITH WICKED's GINA BECK - An Actor's Life for G... Part III

Welcome back...again! So, you are now officially Glinda! Tell us all about opening night...how did it go and how did you feel?

Well, it was pretty nerve-wracking, but I had so many friends and family supporting and I was really excited about going out in front of an audience. There were a lot of fans of the show watching from the front creating a real buzz too!

How hard is the second night to do, after the adrenalin of the first night?

It wasn't hard as I just saw it as another night to get it right! It takes a good few shows just to feel like you actually know where you are going and what you're doing on and off stage! 

 Do you find a difference in the atmosphere, both in front of and behind the curtain, between first night and press night?

Yes, backstage on first night was quite quiet as all the newbies were so nervous, but after a good few weeks everyone has settled in and on press night the mood was more celebratory backstage and less tense! Both first night and press night audiences were extremely friendly and seemed like they were having a great night.  

Glad to hear it! Do you have any pre-show rituals? And if so, any Wicked-specific ones?

Yes, I have to do a 15-minute vocal warm-up in my room before going down to the cast warm-up, and while I'm doing that I put on my Glinda make-up. I have to clean my teeth last thing before I go down for beginners' call.

You have quite a few costume changes, one of which is extremely speedy...how is that going?!

Oh, they are so smooth, my dresser Theresa and the wig department have got every change worked out perfectly, I never feel nervous.  

Where do you draw your inspiration from for Glinda?

Hmm, well, it's all in the writing, I think. Glinda is a typical girl who wants it all but makes bad choices sometimes on how to get it. She wants to be liked and loved, she wants to be important but she does actually want to help people. Glinda has such a big heart and I try to focus on that.   

What are the main similarities and differences between you and Glinda?

Well, I was actually more like Elphaba at school. On my first day of secondary school one of the popular girls in my class turned against me after lunch and made the other girls spread out all their stuff on the table so that I couldn't sit down anywhere! I then went to sit with two of the quieter girls in the class who were lovely. I never ever had the confidence that Glinda has except when I was onstage in school plays. I am similar to Glinda in her exuberance and silliness, I guess; I can get very excited about things and jump around a bit! 

Glinda is absent from the second classroom scene. Where do you think she is and what is she up to?!

Well, I feel that she has by this point dropped the History class as she feels Dr Dillamond just 'harps on about the past'!

Fair point! Any onstage mishaps to report?

I couldn't possibly comment, but things do happen as it's live theatre and we're not machines!

If you could be any other character in Wicked, male or female, who would it be and why?

I'd like to be Dr Dillamond, I think, just so I could have a lovely long cup of tea in the second act! [Gina giggles]

Do you have a message for your fans?

Thanks for all the support so far, I really appreciate it and your commitment to the show. 

What are you looking forward to most in the coming year?

Getting to see all my new friends in the show every day and getting to explore the character of Glinda more thoroughly. 

And finally...three words (or four!) to sum up your Oz experience right now?

A privilege, fun, and friends.  

Thanks, Gina! All the best for your run in Oz!