Behind the Curtain: The Global Machinery Powering 'Wicked' in Mumbai
As audiences in Mumbai settle into their seats for the Broadway spectacle 'Wicked', they are greeted by a theatrical flourish perfected over decades. Music swells from the orchestral pit, a witch ascends into the air, a pink bubble floats in, and a train rattles toward Oz—all in a seamless display where the mechanics remain invisible. This grand illusion, however, masks a fascinating and unvarnished reality backstage.
A Temporary Village Behind the Stage
Just past the stage doors at the NMACC (Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre), the magic gives way to a bustling temporary village. Through a network of service corridors, the backstage area transforms into a hive of makeshift rooms, each buzzing with activity as showtime approaches. Wardrobe corners, wig stations, and quick-change areas are meticulously organized to support the production's rapid pace.
One of the most arresting sights is a row of chairs 'dressed' in clothing—shirts, skirts, trousers, and jackets hanging over their backs as if actors have evaporated mid-performance. These are quick-change stations, with each chair holding the exact garments an actor must slip into during the show. Visual checklists on the walls display performers in their various looks to prevent errors under time pressure.
The International Logistics of a Touring Production
James Bilios, executive producer at Broadway Entertainment Group, which tours 'Wicked' internationally, reveals the scale of the operation. "We have 13 shipping containers worth of equipment, set pieces, and costumes," he says. These containers carry everything needed to recreate Oz—lighting, sound equipment, sets, costumes, and pre-rigged cables—allowing the production to be assembled in just four days.
The sets themselves are a global collaboration, with parts built in Romania, Britain, and Australia. Hand-painted backdrops are crafted by scenic artists accustomed to opera stages. Despite this technical sophistication, the process begins traditionally: designers use miniature stage models to map out scenes and movements.
Costumes and Wigs: A Worldwide Supply Chain
The touring company comprises around 85 people, supplemented by local hands in each city, particularly for wardrobe management. The production features 166 wigs and nearly 350 costumes, sourced from an international supply chain. "Our costumes are made in four different parts of the world—Turkey, Greece, the UK, and South Korea," Bilios explains. "Britain excels at army costumes, Turkey and Greece produce beautiful bridesmaid attire and glitzy items, and South Korea creates funky pieces with velvet and brocades."
Backstage, wig rooms showcase hairpieces in every imaginable style—straight, curled, braided, and bouffant—while a salon-like space holds heads of hair in various stages of styling, all devoid of people. In the corridors, velvet coats and satin dresses compete for space as actors weave through, practicing vocal warm-ups like lip trills.
The Cast: Diversity and Rigorous Selection
At the heart of the production is a cast of 30, including swings and understudies. On show days, performers arrive four hours early for warm-ups and prayer notes. Rituals abound, such as the Elphaba actress performing a dance warm-up before applying her green makeup—a process that took days to perfect and 45 minutes to apply each time.
The cast ranges from teenagers fresh out of performing arts colleges to seasoned professionals, with fierce competition for roles. "For this show, we had 30 cast positions and 3,700 applicants," Bilios notes. "We seek 'triple threats'—performers who can sing, dance, and act at the highest level." The ensemble has grown more diverse, featuring British Indian and African-English performers. "We're not homogenous anymore; it's important to not just have white people," he adds.
The Regimented Life of Touring
Touring productions demand a disciplined lifestyle, with actors often abstaining from smoking and drinking to protect their voices. Despite meticulous planning, touring remains a logistical gamble. 'Wicked' arrived in Mumbai from Dubai just before regional tensions escalated. In a past tour, a costume truck was detained at the Romanian border for inspections. "They went through the costumes to check for illegal immigrants," Bilios recalls.
If all goes according to plan, these challenges remain hidden. For the audience, it simply looks like a witch taking flight—a testament to the intricate global machinery that powers one of the world's grandest musicals.
