Since opening on Broadway in 2003, Wicked has taken the world of musical theatre by storm. Despite receiving mixed notices after opening, critical opinion has proved secondary to the audience's attachment to the production, which has only continued to grow as the musical opens productions all over the world. The London production, which continues to run at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in the West End has now entered the ranks of London's long-running shows, and has become a standard London show alongside the likes of The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables.
Winner of 90 international awards, Wicked the Musical has cast its magical spell over audiences of all ages across the world for a decade and continues to be a record-breaking hit at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, where, as of 2013, it has become the 16th longest-running West End musical of all time. The show celebrated its 10th Anniversary on 27 September 2016 and has been seen by almost 6 million people.
Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire the musical features a score by multi Grammy® and Academy Award® winner Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, The Baker's Wife) and a book by Winnie Holzman. Packed with thrilling technical wizardry, dazzling costumes, an ingenious and witty story and show-stopping songs, Wicked is an unforgettable, enchanting experience that is not to be missed.
The original Broadway production continues to play to packed houses having open almost 14 years ago, redefining modern musical theatre for an entire generation.
Wicked the Musical lifts the curtain on one of the most popular stories of all time, to show an alternative reading of 'The Wizard of Oz' that challenges our preconceptions of what is 'good' and what is considered 'wicked'. The unlikely friendship of Elphaba and Galinda at Shiz University leads to a powerful tale of love, acceptance and friendship that will speak to audiences of all ages and delight those familiar with the original wonderful story.
'One of the most popular West End musicals ever'. (Evening Standard)
'The perfect choice for a spellbinding night out.' (Daily Mail)
Following the success of the stage production, it is only natural that fans have questioned whether a film version of the musical is on the cards. We spoke to the Producer of the show Marc Platt, and asked him when fans can expect to see Wicked on the big screen:
"The process and development of the movie has begun in earnest and it will happen when the material is at a place where we feel, as the creators, that the adaptation of it will be as satisfying as a film as it is in a theatre. That could be tomorrow or it could be a year from now - I don't know the answer to that, it IS in the process, we have just set the bar really high. We're not shooting to a release date - we want the film to be unique and satisfying as the stage experience which is still terribly successful."
It has been revealed that Stephen Daldry, the director of such films as 'Billy Elliot', 'The Reader', and 'Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close' has been attached to the film version of Wicked for the past couple of years. Original book writer Winnie Holzman is also on board to write the screenplay, and Producers are making sure that all the vital elements come together to make it the best version of the film that it could possibly be.
Book your Wicked musical tickets, playing at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London, today.
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37 images Based on the acclaimed novel by Gregory Maguire that re-imagined the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, the WICKED musical tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two girls who first meet as sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. Experience this unforgettable, award-winning musical and discover that you’ve not been told the whole story about the land of Oz...
Sequels have been the stock-in-trade of film companies for some time. But here's a novel idea that is almost a prequel, though not quite. The plot of this superbly polished musical extravaganza is (part of) the backstory to the much-loved 'Wizard of Oz' - originally a book written by American writer Frank L Baum and published in 1900, and subsequently converted into numerous film versions, the... Read more
Photos have been released giving a first look at the new West End cast of Wicked, who will take over at the Apollo Victoria Theatre on 23rd July. The new cast includes David Witts, who will play Fiyero, Chris Jarman as Doctor Dillamond and Rosa O’Reilly as Nessarose. David Witts is best-known for playing Joey Branning in the BBC soap EastEnders, and has previously appeared on stage as Link in Hairspray at the Leicester Curve Theatre.
A new West End cast of Wicked has been announced, following the news that EastEnders actor David Witts would be joining the cast as Fiyero. Alice Fearn and Sophie Evans will continue in the roles of Elphaba and Glinda after they assumed the parts in July last year. Chris Jarman, who played Hagrid and the Sorting Hat in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, will join the cast to take on the role of Doctor Dillamond, replacing original cast member Martin Ball who returned to the show in 2016.
Actor David Witts has been announced as the latest actor to take on the role of Fiyero in the West End production of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. Witts is best-known for playing Joey Branning in the BBC soap EastEnders, and has previously appeared on stage as Link in Hairspray at the Leicester Curve Theatre. He trained at National Youth Theatre and the National Youth Music Theatre. Witts will take over as Fiyero on 23rd July 2018, as current Fiyero Bradley Jaden will play his final performance on 21st July. Wicked tickets are available now.
As a special Easter treat, we are giving one lucky reader the chance to win a Wicked poster signed by the West End’s Elphaba herself, Alice Fearn. Wicked has now been running in the West End for over 11 years, racking up over 4,500 performances at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. To celebrate, a special collection of portraits were released featuring the show’s new cast, and we are giving away one Elphaba poster, signed by actress Alice Fearn. To enter, simply retweet the tweet below and follow LondonTheatre on Twitter, or head to our Facebook page where you can also enter.
New portrait images of the principal West End cast of Wicked have been announced in celebration of the musical nearing becoming the 15th longest-running show in London theatre history. The images, which can be seen below, show the new cast members Alice Fearn (Elphaba) and Sophie Evans (Glinda) who took on the roles earlier this summer. You can watch our exclusive interview with the pair by clicking here.
Watch the first interview with Wicked’s new Elphaba and Glinda, Alice Fearn and Sophie Evans, exclusively on LondonTheatre.co.uk. The pair took on the roles in July, and we sat down with the actresses backstage at the Apollo Victoria to talk about their history with the musical, find out their favourite moments from the show, and find out how they’re getting on in the roles.
New images of the incoming cast of Wicked have been released, showing new witches Alice Fearn and Sophie Evans in action. Fearn takes over from Willemijn Verkaik as Elphaba, and Evans replaces Suzie Mathers as Glinda at the Apollo Victoria from 24 July 2017. The new cast also includes Bradley Jaden (Fiyero), Jack Lansbury (Boq), Melanie La Barrie (Madame Morrible) and Andy Hockley (The Wizard). Martin Ball and Sarah McNicholas are set to continue as Doctor Dillamond and Nessarose respectively. Carina Gillespie remains standby Glinda, and Laura Pick takes over as standby Elphaba.
New casting has been announced for the West End production of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. From Monday 24th July, Alice Fearn will take on the role of Elphaba, having been standby for the role for the last 9 months. She is joined by Sophie Evans as Glinda, Bradley Jaden as Fiyero, Melanie La Barrie as Madame Morrible, Andy Hockley as The Wizard, and Jack Lansbury as Boq. Current cast members Martin Ball (Doctor Dillamond), Sarah McNicholas (Nessarose) and Carina Gillespie (Standby for Glinda) continue in their roles, with Laura Pick joining the cast as the new Standby for Elphaba.
The role of Elphaba is one of musical theatre's most iconic roles, and it's one which Dutch actress Willemijn Verkaik has been playing for the past ten years. The first performer to play the role in multiple languages, Willemijn has now returned to the West End once again to celebrate her own personal decade as the Wicked Witch of the West. Having previously played the role in London, Stuttgart, Oberhausen, the Netherlands and on Broadway, she brings a fully international experience to the musical and is now wowing West End audiences once again.
