WICKED Cast Change: Flashback - Idina Menzel And Helen Dallimore

By KJP and MM

Pairing 1 - Idina Menzel/Helen Dallimore

The original Wicked London pairing was an extremely popular one amongst Wicked fans, with the leading ladies demonstrating good chemistry and a solid bond. Having the original Elphaba on board was a good move; not only did Menzel draw in her established fan-base, but she was also able to lead the company character-wise, having created the role on Broadway years before. Dallimore had the opportunity to create the role of Glinda for the London audience, building on Kristen Chenoweth's choices, and making some of her own. This, coupled with the advantage of having the entire initial rehearsal period to work together to evolve their characters in tandem, led to a winning combination. Despite both actresses being on the older side to be playing university students, the fact that they were close in age with each other enabled them to pull it off. It was clear that Menzel and Dallimore shared a certain level of friendship off-stage, as they had their 'in-joke' moments where they would frequently giggle for reasons unknown to the audience. Kerry Ellis and Dianne Pilkington would later do the same thing.

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