I was really suprised when I saw her as elphaba last week, after seeing Kerry Ellis 2 years i thought noone could beat her. However i was pleasantly suprised she showed such emotion, although she doesn't have the better voice, she definately had me tearing up in for good because she was!!

Ashleigh is an amazing Elphaba I agree. She puts so much emotion into it and seems to really connect with the character. Her voice is stunning. She doesn't beat Alexia or Kerry for me but she's certainly not a disappointment in the role, thats for sure.

i love ashleigh in wicked but for me i do prefer kerry's voice.

I was plesently suprised by Ashleigh, because I like Kerry I wasn't expecting to like someone anywhere near the greatness of Kerry's performance. But Ashleigh did a great job she also looks the right age for the part, she can pass off as quite young and still protray the older Elphaba.

OMG! Her Wizard and I on 19th Feb absolutly blew me away! I couldn't beleive how goo dit was! About 278.356 times better than Kerrys!
Although Kerry is better overall, I thought Ashleigh's WAI was just incredible!

I think Ashleigh has a beautiful voice, but I am yet to see her as Elphaba. I shall be seeing her in the summer though! I can't wait!

I think she's better than Kerry. Kerry's clearly tired... she goes through the motions and doesn't hold notes anymore (the last few times I've seen her, DG has been a shocking anticlimax), and she was never a great actress to begin with, and I'm not even going to mention that f*cking accent.

My brother and I took our mum on Saturday for Mother's day and we were all blown away by Ashleigh. Her voice was strong and clear with just as much nuance as both Kerry and Alexia. She did her own thing and made the role hers and even outdid Alexia with her brilliant acting. I'm no obsessive and I would hate to be tagged as such, but I've seen the show an obscene number of times and this was the most excited I've been since the first time I saw it. She made the whole show seem fresh and new and I loved every minute of it. Easily the best Elphaba I've seen.

Did anyone else see 'The Ripper' yesterday? I went last night, I loved the music! I really want to see it staged. And Ashleigh of course was fantastic, she has a gorgeous voice. I haven't seen her as Elphaba yet, but I definitely will during the summer.

Im jealous of you Cat! I wanted to go but it was far too late notice

She needs to do more of these cabaret type events, the girl is too brilliant to be sat backstage all week. And all I could think for about the last 15 minutes last night was how awesome she'd be as Fantine.

I agree! On both counts.. ! She's on this weekend isn't she?

She is indeed!! I couldn't go even if I wanted to though. I'm waiting til July/August. It will be very much worth the wait!

I wanted to go when the dates were announced and then I realised that would mean I would be there three weekends in a row, haha!

She will be well worth the wait I need to get around to see her with her next dates after cast change!

Yes, I want to see her as my first show after CC. Unless Sarah gets dates first. Or my cousin wants to go when she's over at the end of May...

If all 3 of those senarios coincide at the same time I will be very happy indeed And so will my bank balance.

I have high hopes for her Elphaba. I love Kerry, and I liked Alexia and CJ, but none of them have *quite* been Elphaba for me.

Haha, well I shall hope that worked out for you

I think Ashleigh probably will become your Elphaba. If you love Kerry and like Alexia/CJ. She kind of has the best points of all three. Although for me she is still behind Alexia and Kerry, it has nothing to do with her ability more to do with the fact that I didn't quite connect to her. I think if I seen her again though, she probably would overtake Kerry, never Alexia though who will probably always remain my Elphaba to the day I die!!!

I love Kerry for her voice, but feel she doesn't put quite as much emotion into it as Alexia and CJ. However, I adore Ashleigh's voice, and after sunday I have no concerns about her acting. I can't wait! But I will have to.

I've been thinking latley, I think I like Ashleigh better than Kerry! Although Kerry has the incredible voice, but overall I beleive Ashleigh gives a better show.

So I guess thats both the Standbys I prefer

Tonight, Ashleigh was phenomenal. I was lost for words when the performance finished. Her acting was perfect, her vocals were gorgeous. She's Elphaba for me, totally and completely.

I was there on the 9th too and she was absoulutely amazing!

Beautiful vocals, brilliant acting, great comic timing and she was an absolute sweetheart at the stage door.

I may have a slight love for Ash as Elphaba just now

Squee!! She was all suprised when my friend told her she was her favourite Elphie. Bless her. Oli joined in our fangirling a bit I forgave him slightly for looking grumpy on stage.

She was amazing wasn't she??

My friend had never seen the show before so Ash is now his Elphaba which I think is so cute. He's never been to any musical/theatre show before so the whole thing was a huge experience for him and after the show was finished he was desperate to go SD to tell Ashleigh how amazing she was bless him.

She was so incredibly sweet at the SD, commented on my accent and after a brief chat worked out I'm about 20mins away from where she's from in Edinburgh. Funny times

I've seen 4 Elphaba's and Ashleigh's my favourite! I was crap at SD, I get all shy and can't speak. Next time, I'll try harder!!

Because I'm blatently going back to see her the first chance I get!

Where do you find out when her dates are. I tried the Wicked website but there haven't been any cast dates there that I have seen for a couple of weeks. I only knew about tuesday because of this forum. I probably wouldn't be able to make many dates but I would really love to see her after all the raving reviews I have read about her.

Try this...

http://westendunderstudies.com/index.html

Usually on her official website it has a list of her confirmed Elphaba dates:

www.ashleighgray.com

If you get a chance go and see her she really doesn't disappoint

Thanks guys. I will definitely try and get down to see her. I am going to see Alexia for the first time next month which I am really looking forward to. I have only ever seen kerry so I am interested in seeing other portrayals of Elphaba.

No problem, I really hope you get a chance to see Ashleigh!

Alexia is brilliant as well, have an amazing show

Ashleigh went on tonight and it apparently doing both shows tomorrow.

Poor Alexia must be really poorly. But my friend at work is going to the matinee tomorrow and I'm so excited she'll see Ash

poor Alexia though I know there is a really rotten flu/cold thing going around where I am working for now. Everyone has either it or a really irritating cough which refuses to be controlled through water, strepsils etc. Lets just hope she gets better soon though at least this gives people a chance to see Ashleigh. I wouldn't complain if she performed at the show I see next month. Either actress will be lovely to see.

I'm seriously considering trying for the wednesday matinee if Ashleigh's on tomorrow. I'll student ticket at the last minute when the cast board's updated though!!

Is Ash on tonight?

Saw her again last night from front row. She's fantastic. Her acting is wonderful and her voice is gorgeous.

Just listened to a fabulous DG by Ash...

Really really want to see her again.

She has 9 performances in a row in about a month. Exciting!! Monday 21st is when I'm aiming for next, as Emily is Nessa for that week too and I've been wanting to see her for some time!

This thread needs a bump. Saw Ashleigh again on monday (drama!) and she was brilliant. So excited for Scott Alan's concerts on Sunday! Ashleigh's the reason I'm going, she better not get sick!

Hate to be the bearer of bad tidings but its says on her website that Ashleigh won't be able to do the Scott Alan thing on Sunday. I expect that she has a curfew due to the ongoing lack of fit and able Elphies at the moment.

And also due to the fact she's probably shattered!

You have no idea how gutted I am. This weekend was going to be awesome, not a good start.

But I don't want her getting sick too.

I saw Ashleigh a few weeks ago and she was just mind boggling in the role. I've never cried so much. She was so full of passion and she seemed to capture my own concept of who Elphaba is. It was quite stunning.