Wicked Witch of the West | Tiara in Transit

‘Now I know where you live’ -The Elusive CCTV Tower Part 2

After my initial failed attempt at finding the elusive CCTV tower, I did a little online research and discovered that there were indeed 2 CCTV towers. So the following day, I started out my second attempt in the scorching Beijing heat, this time armed with directions.

My directions ended at the subway station closest to the tower, with the next logical step being to look up in the sky, see the tower, and start walking in its direction. In reality, I looked up, and saw nothing but blue sky’s. New logical plan, walk until you can see the tallest building in Beijing. Within 20 minutes of circling the town on foot, I eventually see the bulbus head of the tower in the distance between two low-rise shopping centres. Elated, I march on.

Following a series of premature right turns and backtracking, I finally reach the entry at 1.45pm. Having started my hunt at 10am that morning, I was now hot, sweaty, dehydrated, starving and slightly delirious. Still, I was shamelessly excited, my curiosity had now become an obsession.

Unfortunately, after being informed that the revolving restaurant was only open from 11am to 2pm for lunch, I decided that I hadn’t come this far only to be rushed through my Japanese buffet, even though by this stage 15 minutes was more than enough time for me to consume everything in sight. This moment was to be savoured.

Looking up at the CCTV tower, I thought ‘ Tomorrow, it’s you and me my friend. Now I know where you live’, and I swear I heard the Wicked Witch of the West cackle in the background.

Wicked Review

Remember when you were young, still in single digits, and life was filled with wonderful, magical experiences without the use of mind altering substances? Then as you got older, cynical, and jaded, expectations grew and you suddenly became a critic? Well that’s what happened to me, and only on rare occasion does this cynic get to feel the absolute thrill of being a kid again. But it happened, last week, as I nestled into my seat at the Capital Theatre, the lights turned low, and the wonder of Wicked began, that’s exactly how it felt, magical.
The settings/props were the best I’ve seen with the use of old style and modern technology. The songs were catchy, the melodies playing the part of an emotional guide throughout the play. The type of melodies that you are instantly attracted to. The singing was amazing, with the two main charactors, Galinda the Good and Elphaba (Wicked witch of the west) cast well with their contrasting tones.
The balance of comedy, excitement, romance and anticipation perfectly written and timed. An incredible alternate story line about how the Wicked Witch of the West came to be that guarantees you will never look at the Wizard of Oz the same again. Without giving too much away, this is simply the best musical I’ve had the pleasure of viewing and would recommend it to anyone.