Q&A: Wicked's company manager, Chris Fisher

How long have you been part of the Wicked UK team?

Since May 2013, so nearly three-and-a-half years.

How many Elphabas and Glindas have you worked with?

Six Elphabas (Louise Dearman, Willemijn Verkaik, Kerry Ellis, Jenny DiNoia, Emma Hatton and Rachel Tucker) and three Glindas (Gina Beck, Savannah Stevenson and Suzie Mathers).

What's your favourite thing about the show?

I have lots of favourite things about the show but one of my most favourite is listening to the response of the audiences each night. Whether it’s laughter in "Popular", gasps of wonder as they see the Emerald City come to life for the first time or the mighty applause and cheers at the end of "Defying Gravity", it never fails to lift me when you hear these reactions. I always try and stand in the wings for the bows at the end of the show and I never tire of hearing the roar from the crowd as the doors open for Elphaba and Glinda to take their bow.

A day in the life… What do you do from getting to the theatre to leaving it?

The main part of my job is looking after the cast and company and the day-to-day running of the show in the theatre. I am also the linchpin between the Wicked company and the producers, general management, press and marketing and theatre management. My day actually starts away from the theatre as I can start receiving emails or getting calls from the cast from early in the morning. I might be sorting out interviews, booking tickets and cast holidays or letting cast know that they will be performing as their principal cover that evening.

Once in the theatre I will continue to receive and pass on information between various departments. I have a large TV in my office which shows me the stage so I always look that all the technical checks are happening as they should be and that preparations for the evening show are going OK. At the end of cast warm-ups we have ‘parish notes’ where I pass on any information to the cast about the show that evening or about forthcoming activities or events that might be happening.

I will then do the ‘rounds’ where I go round each dressing room and check-in with individuals to see that they are OK and if there is anything they need from me. After this I will go front-of-house and wait for clearance, which is when everyone is sat in their seats and ready to go. Once I have this I pass it back to my team backstage and we’re ready to start the show.

During the performance I will carry on with any admin I have, whilst always keeping an eye on the show. I have a fantastic team backstage who oversee the running and maintenance of the show and if they have any problems or there are any issues during the show then I will always go down to oversee and check everyone is OK.

At the end of the show we write a show report which has all the information about the show that evening, including the running times, what cast members were on and what the reaction of the audience was like. This report then gets sent to a variety of people involved in the production, including the producers in America.

Why do you think Wicked is such a successful show?

I think Wicked‘s success is down to the fact it touches people and impresses people on such varying levels. It is an impressive sight and you can’t help but be dazzled and impressed by the stunning sets and costumes that are on display. On the other side you have a touching and meaningful story that so many people can relate to and are moved by. And at the core of it all is a simply fantastic score that brings people to their feet every night.

What is your most memorable moment working on this production?

There are many magical moments working on Wicked and one of my most recent favourites has been having Rachel Tucker back as Elphaba. I’ve been friends with Rachel for a while as we worked together on two previous shows and I had already been blown away watching her performance when she was first in it. It’s such a joy to be working now with her on Wicked. My most memorable moment though was when we were at West End Live and I was with Emma Hatton on top of Canada House and she sang live overlooking a packed Trafalgar Square. It was an incredible moment and an incredible performance.

What is it like seeing all elements of the production coming together to create something so magical and impressive?

It is simply the best thing ever. A performance of Wicked is such a collaborative event. We have over 70 people working backstage on the show every evening and each department has their own integral input into the show. Preparation for an evening show begins in the morning when the wigs and wardrobe departments are in washing costumes and dressing wigs, and the work continues through into the afternoon when all the technical departments come in and check through all of their equipment to ensure it is all working and ready to go for curtain up. Every time the Ozmap goes out and reveals the stage for the first scene, this has been a culmination of many people’s work and it certainly is magical and impressive.

How does it feel to be celebrating 10 years of Wicked in London’s West End?

It is an amazing feeling and we are all so excited. It is such an achievement to reach this massive milestone and everyone on Wicked and at the Apollo Victoria have been in full preparation mode to make sure the theatre and show are sparkling for the evening of the 27th.

Click here to buy tickets for Wicked

Wicked is currently booking at the Apollo Theatre until 4 November 2017.