The magic of being green

Jacqueline Hughes plays Elphaba in Wicked. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"I never dream of playing Elphaba as she is such an iconic character in the western musical. But when opportunity comes knocking, I will be ready," says Jacqueline Hughes, female lead of musical Wicked.

After 13 years' waiting, the award-winning Broadway musical, Wicked, finally comes to China and offers a feast for both eyes and ears in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou from April 11 to July 2 this year.

Wicked tells the story of two sorcery students who happen to share a room in a wizard school. Elphaba is helpful and quirky while Glinda is beautiful, yet ostentatious.

In the musical, they go on an incredible journey of love, friendship, misunderstanding and acceptance and became best friends in the end.

"From my perspective, the musical tries to encourage people to be different. Being different is always beset by ridicule, contempt and negativity in life, and many people cannot be true to their hearts. And being different also makes you unique," Hughes says.

Born in Scotland, Jacqueline Hughes graduated from the Guildford School of Acting with first class honours in 2007 and started her professional career as a musical performer.