Wicked’s Elphaba Jacqueline Hughes on going green and feeling great as a travelling performer

SINGAPORE — It may sound awful and arduous wearing a thick shade of green on your skin every night to inhabit the iconic character of Elphaba in the hit musical Wicked, but that’s not how actress-singer Jacqueline Hughes sees it. The performer, who will be taking centrestage when the musical rolls into town on Sept 29 revealed going green actually makes her feel “more beautiful”.

“It really brings out all my features,” she said, adding that it usually takes only around 30 minutes to get “greenified”, thanks to the team of wonderful make-up artistes and the very special blend of green (Chromacake in Landscape Green) created by MAC makeup for the musical.

The Scot also takes all the travelling she does as part of a touring company in her stride, even as she is candid about missing her husband and little dog Coco. “It’s kinda interesting and challenging living out of a suitcase — it takes a certain amount of thought and planning to fit everything into one case,” she said. “However we are lucky enough to be visiting so many amazing places on this international tour. It’s such an adventure.”

Q: How many cities do you usually visit as part of a touring company? Which city has left a deep impression on you?

A: A tour normally lasts between one and two years and within this time, we sit down in cities for four to six weeks. This is how we have been able to bring Wicked to so many countries (50 in fact) and visit over 100 cities around the world. Edinburgh is closest to my home and we had a record-breaking stay there over Christmas. I love the cobbled streets and the gothic architecture; there’s also nothing like hearing the distant sound of bagpipes.

Q: How do you keep yourself healthy and in tip-top condition while on the road?

A: I have a great routine as I need to keep my strength up for the performances and I do like to eat healthy and keep hydrated. I’m also a believer in vitamins, and I swear by Hion Green Powder as it’s the perfect pick-me-up.

Q: You tweeted a photo of the Singapore Sling while you were here last week for a promotional stop and said ‘Bucket List checked’. What other travel experiences do you have on your bucket list?

A: Ha! That was a great cocktail and Raffles is such a beautiful hotel. I would also love to do a drive around America with my husband as he loves cars so Route 66 would be the ultimate bucket list experience for us. Singapore for us is the start of our adventure so we just take each day as it comes. I can’t wait to absorb myself into each city and its culture. We are very fortunate that we work in the evenings during the week so we have the days to explore. I’m excited to visit the Botanical Gardens and sample some chilli crab as I hear it’s exquisite.

Q: This is the second time Wicked is coming to Singapore. Why do you think the musical will still feel special to those who’ve watched it before?

A: Wicked has so much to offer and it’s fantastic to be bringing this new version back into Singapore, led by our British company. Wicked keeps evolving, and I challenge audiences to spot new things and experience the magic once more.

Q: Where is Oz to you?

A: Home—there’s no place like it.

Q: Coming from East Kilbride near Glasgow, Scotland, what do you recommend travellers see when they are near your area?

A: I’m incredibly proud of where I’m from, and Scotland is such a beautiful country. We have some breathtaking scenery such as Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. They are not too far from Glasgow and I would say they are must-sees for any traveller. SERENE LIM

Wicked runs from Sept 29 to Oct 30 at Marina Bay Sands. Tickets from Sistic.