IN Wicked

Wicked makes its long-awaited arrival in Perth and brings with it a home-grown star.

When Lucy Durack left Perth to take up the sparkly role of Glinda in the musical Wicked, she was a WAAPA graduate with some solid national experience. Three years and more than 900 shows later, Lucy has become a bona fide Australian star.

Now, after such a successful national run, the award-winning musical comes to Perth next month. Wicked tells the story of the witches of Oz, long before Dorothy and Toto dropped into the picture and follows the unlikely friendship of Glinda the Good and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.

“I am so excited the show is coming home,” says Lucy. “The role was something I wanted really badly so I was hoping it would run for a few months, but with what’s happened, of course I am thrilled. I got my wish and it has really let me sink my teeth into the role.”

Lucy’s skyrocketing profile has also opened up other opportunities including singing at an AFL Grand Final, Flemington and one of the big Christmas carol concerts.

“I feel extremely fortunate that I ended up in a huge show that has been around for a long run and that I have been able to go with it and have a great time.”

The actress, who now lives in Sydney, considers herself blessed to have also had a character with so many dimensions to explore for a long run.

“She’s not all bubblegum pop and not just funny,” says Lucy of Glinda, who has almost become her alter ego. “She has a great emotional journey each show and the character expands which is what makes it really interesting. I’m still finding out new things about Glinda. No matter what kind of day you are having, there’s always a bit of her character you can use as a cathartic experience.”

While she makes as many visits back home to Perth as possible, Lucy says when she’s here, she always has to indulge in her favourite local activities. Top of the list includes shopping in Fremantle plus window shopping and the odd purchase in King Street. Lucy virtually grew up on Trigg Beach, so she makes sure she spends some serious time along the coast, close to the water and goes swimming at Leighton Beach.

With her family having recently moved to Subiaco, Lucy is planning some long lunches at local eateries and can’t wait to check out the newly revamped Boulevard Hotel and the new Clancy’s in City Beach.

Wicked starts it’s Perth season on June 19 at Burswood Theatre with evening and matinee performances. Tickets from Ticketek.