Which Witch
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Which Witch: A West End Misadventure
"Which Witch" is a rock opera that stormed London’s West End for a fleeting moment, leaving behind a trail of intrigue and infamy. Written by Norwegian singer-composers Benedicte Adrian and Ingrid Bjørnov, with a script by Ole A. Sørli, it opened at the Piccadilly Theatre on October 22, 1992, after a robust history of concert performances. Marketed as an "operamusical," it ran for just 76 shows, closing on January 23, 1993, after a critical drubbing that branded it one of the West End’s most notorious flops. Set in 16th-century Europe, this tale of love, witchcraft, and the Inquisition aimed high but crashed hard, yet its cult status endures among musical theatre enthusiasts.
Origins and Evolution
The seeds of "Which Witch" were planted in 1987, debuting as a concert in Bergen’s Grieghallen with Adrian as the lead, Maria, and Bjørnov as musical director. Inspired by the 15th-century witch-hunter’s manual *Malleus Maleficarum*, the story follows Maria, a healer accused of witchcraft, and her lover, Bishop Daniel, torn between faith and passion. Over eight years, the duo honed it through international concert tours across Norway, Canada, the U.S., and beyond, refining its gothic score and dramatic stakes. By 1992, ambitions soared as producers eyed a full West End staging, banking on its operatic flair to rival giants like *Les Misérables*.
The Cast and Creative Vision
The London production starred Benedicte Adrian as Maria, reprising her concert role, alongside Graham Bickley as Daniel, with Vivien Parry and Harry Nicoll in key parts. Directed by Piers Haggard, with choreography by Anthony Van Laast, the show leaned into its rock-opera roots, blending haunting melodies with theatrical bombast. Bjørnov’s score, rich with choral chants and eerie ballads like "The Execution," aimed to evoke the terror of witch trials, while Adrian’s lyrics (with Helen Hampton’s early input) sought emotional depth. Designers Bob Crowley (sets) and Andrew Bridge (lighting) crafted a brooding Renaissance backdrop, but the vision struggled to cohere on stage.
West End Reception and Downfall
Opening night at the Piccadilly Theatre was met with savage reviews. Critics labeled it “a dire rock opera” and “the second worst West End musical ever,” panning its convoluted plot and overwrought style. The Evening Standard called it “a bizarre musical,” while others mocked its earnestness amid a West End favoring lighter fare like *Cats*. Despite pre-sales fueled by Norwegian hype and a £1.5 million budget, audiences dwindled post-premiere. The 76-performance run short by West End standards marked a financial and artistic bust, though some fans praised its ambitious score and Adrian’s vocal prowess.
Aftermath and Norwegian Revival
Post-London, "Which Witch" retreated to Norway, where it found a warmer embrace. A 1994 Oslo tour at Holmenkollen drew crowds, proving its homeland appeal. Across its lifespan, it notched 142 concert performances worldwide, far outpacing its West End stint. The cast recording, released in 1993, preserved its music tracks like "Fire of Love" and "Witches’ Sabbath" gaining a niche following. While no major revivals have hit London since, its failure became a cautionary tale, often cited alongside flops like *Carrie* in theatre lore.
Legacy and Cult Status
Today, "Which Witch" lingers as a polarizing artifact. Its blend of Scandinavian gloom and operatic excess has earned it a quirky cult status, with fans lauding its daring over its polish. Theatre historians view it as a bold misstep proof that ambition alone can’t conquer the West End’s brutal stage. For Adrian and Bjørnov, it was a bruising but formative chapter, their Norwegian roots shining brighter than London’s spotlight ever did. A relic of 1990s theatrical risk-taking, "Which Witch" remains a dark, discordant footnote in musical history.