Harriet Thorpe cast as ‘Madame Morrible’ in Wicked from 14 April 2008 at Apollo Victoria Theatre

Harriet Thorpe is to star as ‘Madame Morrible’ in WICKED at the Apollo Victoria Theatre from Monday 14 April 2008.

Harriet Thorpe's London stage credits include "Cabaret" at the Lyric in 2007; "Cymbeline" and "Twelfth Night" at the Open Air theatre in 2005; "Brighton Rock" at the Almeida in 2004; "The Vagina Monologues" at the Arts in 2002; "A Prayer for Owen Meany"at the Lyttelton, NT in 2002; and "All MY Sons" at the Lyttelton, NT in 2001; "Under The Doctor" at the Comedy in 2001; Her tv credits include the BBC’s comedy series The Brittas Empire; Girls on Top; French & Saunders; Absolutely Fabulous; The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle. Her numerous film appearances include Calendar Girls.

The cast currently includes: Kerry Ellis (Elphaba), Oliver Tompsett (Fiyero), Susie Blake (Madame Morrible, until 12 April), Nigel Planer (The Wizard), Dianne Pilkington (Glinda). (Cast subject to change from 9 June 2008.)

WICKED opened at the Apollo Victoria Theatre 27 Sep 2006, following previews from 7 Sep - to reasonable notices from the popular press: THE EVENING STANDARD says, "Remarkable kaleidoscope of magical shocks, surprises and sensations. Wicked works like a dream."THE INDEPENDENT says, "I enjoyed very little. " THE GUARDIAN says, "Efficient, knowing and highly professional but more like a piece of industrial product than something that genuinely touches the heart or mind." THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "Witty, enjoyable" THE TIMES says, "Songs bang out, along with iffy lyrics and not-so-witty dialogue."

Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Winnie Holzman.

It is directed by Joe Mantello, scenic design by Eugene Lee, costumes by Susan Hilferty, lighting by Kenneth Posner, sound by Tony Meola, orchestrations by William David Brohn, musical staging by Wayne Cilento and is directed by Joe Mantello.

Two girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, feisty and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very, very popular. WICKED is the story of these two unlikely friends and how they end up as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

WICKED is currently taking bookings to 4 April 2009.