I went out with this awesome group of young people for my daughter’s 21st a couple of weeks ago.

We saw Wicked (well what else?).

I have seen it in the West End and know almost all the songs, so no massive surprises.

I had a number of meetings at Sky Studios in Borehamwood while they were filing it, so I knew it was coming and I knew it was going to be big!!!

What I hadn’t expected was the warning at the beginning of the film.

🟢 I bet you missed it.🟢

The film is a PG Rating. Parental Guidance is required.

However, it was the next line which got my brain cells twitching…
⚠️ Contains ‘mild threat’ and ‘discrimination’.⚠️

I don’t want to spoil it for anyone yet to see this wonderfully familiar, but not so familiar film, but there is significant discrimination against a character based on their appearance.

💚 The girl is quite literally GREEN.💚

And, she is bullied and harassed as a result of her skin tone.

Not only is she bullied, with assumptions made about her based purely on her appearance, but the theme continues as the professors as removed from the University purely because they are talking animals and are therefore seen as a threat. 🐐

Having posted the above on social media last week, one of my friends pointed out…

‘There are a lot of social issues addressed across the broader spectrum of musical theatre and cinema screen. I often sit there thinking of you and some of the lessons you’ve taught me over the years (!)

Bullying, racism and stigmatism is a massive one in various shows:

🎤 Hairspray
🎤 West Side Story
🎤 Starlight Express
🎤 Phantom of the Opera
🎤 The Greatest Showman

People fearing what they do not understand, perhaps more unique and challenging to present’

Next time you watch a film or see a show, perhaps look at the storyline through more than one lens.

What lessons are there for you in your life and your business?

More thoughts to come from this film soon.

If you’ve seen it, do let me know your thoughts.
💜 💚💜 💚💜 💚💜 💚