https://www.capitalfm.com/news/wicked-nessarose-marissa-bode-disability-wheelchair/
What do you see in the picture, do you recognise anyone, where is it, what is happening?
The picture shows a scene from the film Wicked. We can see Cynthia Erivo who plays the character Elphaba and Marissa Bode who plays the character Nessarose, Elphaba's younger sister..
What do you notice about the character Nessarose?
The character Nessarose uses a wheelchair. In real life, the actor Marissa Bode also uses a wheelchair, yet this is the first time the character Nessarose has been played by a wheelchair user. In the past, the character has always been played by an actor pretending to be a wheelchair user.
Why do you think this is?
Can you see any reason why a wheelchair user might not be able to be an actor?
The film Wicked has been on stage all over the world for over 20 years and every actor who plays Nessarose has always been able to walk and simply acted as a wheelchair user.
Do you think this matters? Does it matter if an actor pretends to be a wheelchair user, or does it not matter? What are the arguments for and against this choice?
Today, Marissa is overjoyed to be a wheelchair user playing the character of Nessarose; "I am over the moon about them making the decision to cast someone who is authentically in a wheelchair because..."
How do you think Marissa will finish that sentence?
"because it's not something I saw a lot growing up. So be in this huge movie, I just feel so lucky and grateful that I can be that representation and help people feel a lot less alone."
What is representation?
Who is Marissa talking about feeling alone?
Why do you think her being cast as Nessarose might make people feel less alone?
Marissa wants to pave the way for more disabled actors.
What does this mean?
Can you think of any actors who are not disabled and can you think of any disabled actors?
Why is that interesting, what does that show? Why do you think this is happening?
Marrisa says, "I think creating more visibility in media can make a huge differecne overall."
What is visibility, what is Marissa saying here?
Do you agree?
In the original Wicked story, the Nessarose character pleased with her sister Elphaba to make her walk and Elphaba magically does this. But in the film version this story line has been changed.
What do you think about this old story line? Howe do you think Marissa might feel about it?
Why do you think the story has been changed in 2025?
Marissa didn't like the storyline where a character asks for her disability to be fixed. She says, "Disability is not fictional. At the end of the day, me, Marissa is the person who is still disabled and in a wheelchair. The more we see disabled people just chilling, just kicking it, the more people will treat us as equals."
Why does Marrisa say she wants to see disabled people just chilling? Wouldn't that be boring to see?
How do we get to a place where disabled people are treated as equals?
Why is this about No Outsiders?
Which British value is this about?
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