By Luke Voogt
Modern theatre classic Wicked will come to Geelong for the first time this month after more than a decade of international success.
Newtown actress Sophie Collins was keen to get on stage as Galinda – The Good Witch of the North.
“It’s not a typical role I would have played in the past,” she said.
“This is a really exciting and challenging role for me.”
Collins spoke to the Indy after the cast’s practice with a full orchestra last week.
“For a first rehearsal it was pretty incredible.”
The play’s recent change in theatre rights has finally let directors like Melbourne’s Alistair Smith create their own take, Collins said.
“The way he’s constructing it and putting it together is completely different. But it still has all those amazing songs that we all love.”
Collins will team up with Melbourne actress Morgan Heynes, who plays the “misunderstood” Elphaba – The Wicked Witch of the West.
“She is a real find,” she said.
“We’re lucky to have her.”
Collins grew up in Geelong, and her eclectic career began in 1986 playing Annie at the age 12.
She studied at the Victorian Academy of Arts before leaving for a small role in Neighbours.
“As a 21-year-old trying to choose whether I knuckle down with my exams or take this role on Neighbours … it was an easy choice,” she said.
During a working holiday in England she casted actors for legendary British producer Cameron McIntosh and made the semi-finals of BBC Radio 2’s Voice of Musical Theatre.
“Ironically, the woman who won that went on to play Elphaba in the original Broadway production of Wicked,” she said.
Later, Collins managed the tour for the original Australian Big Brother contestants and returned to Geelong in 2004, where she performed in Cats and Les Miserables.
“If I’m living in Geelong you’ll generally see me on the stage,” she said.
Collins won Music Theatre Guild of Victoria’s best supporting actress for playing “Mrs Banks” in Mary Poppins, while her portrayal of an infant murderess in Hatpin was too realistic for some.
“After my siblings came to see me at that show they were very hesitant to let me look after their children,” she joked.
Wicked, which premiered in San Francisco 2003, is alternative take on iconic 1939 film the Wizard of Oz.
Long before Dorothy arrived in the Land of Oz, there was another smart but misunderstood girl, born with emerald green skin and an extraordinary talent.
When she meets a popular bubbly blonde, their rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships … until the world decides one is good and the other wicked.
Footlight Productions will bring Wicked to Geelong for two weeks starting on 27 January.
For information and tickets visit gpac.org.au.
