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STORY
Wicked – West End
Theatre
Apollo Victoria Theatre
Duration
150 minutes
Age Restrictions
6+ years
Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s musical is a real fan favourite, regularly winning public votes and audience awards as the most-loved West End show. It arrived in London in 2006, three years after its Broadway opening, and has been in residence at the 2300-seat Apollo Victoria – a remarkable achievement and testament to the scale of its enduring popularity.
Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel of the same name, Wicked is a retelling of The Wizard of Oz, this time from the perspective of the witches as Dorothy blows into their battle. It centres on two friends, turned enemies: Elphaba, an intelligent and independent emerald-green witch who would later come to be know as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda, her beautiful, blonde and popular rival, the Good Witch of the South.
Read MoreWicked starts with Elphaba’s death before flashing back to the two witches’ schooldays. Elphaba’s green skin made her an outcast, shunned by both her father and her schoolmates. At university, Galinda and she end up as roommates, and after a petty rivalry gradually thaws, the two become friends. Both dream of working for the Wizard in the Emerald City.
Their friendship is, however, tested over a boy: Prince Fiyero. Galinda confides her crush on him to Elphaba who, in turn, falls in love with him herself. Out of loyalty and insecurity, Elphaba keeps her feelings to herself: “I’m not that girl,” she sings.
She’s more of an activist. Oz is an increasingly unpleasant place – very anti-animal – and when the two witches graduate and head off to Emerald City to see the Wizard, they realise he’s spearheading the sentiment. Galinda stays to work for him, becoming the public face of the regime, but Elphaba flies away (‘Defying Gravity’) out of principle, only to be labelled the Wicked Witch of the West.
As Wicked follows their fortunes, it explains a lot about the Oz we know: why the Lion became cowardly and the Tin Man turned to tin, who the scarecrow really is and why the flying monkeys are so loyal to Elphaba. The show turns a well-known story on its head, and stands as a parable about the nature of good and evil, and the way societies define moral standards.
Elphaba and Galinda have become two of musical theatre’s most iconic roles, and a string of actresses – including Idina Menzel, Rachel Tucker, Kristin Chenoweth and Gina Beck – have made their names in the parts. Such is the musical’s fanbase that alumni regularly return to roles for special performances. Book your Wicked Tickets today!
Info
Wicked Tickets
Choose your seats via our live booking platform. Once payment is completed, you will receive an email confirmation with your booking reference number and eTickets.
Upon arrival at the venue, display the eTickets on your phone or show the box office a printed ticket.
Which Theatre
Apollo Victoria Theatre, located at 17 Wilton Road, Pimlico, London SW1V 1LG.
Any Questions
If you have questions about your ticket purchase, contact our customer services team on 020 3670 8887
Good to Know
Strobe lighting is used several times during the performance.
Age Recommendation
For ages six and above.
Can I Video or Take Photos?
Cameras and sound recording equipment are not allowed in the theatre.
Reviews
CREATIVE
Cast and Creative
Cast
Alice Fearn – Elphaba
Sophie Evans – Glinda
Bradley Jaden – Fiyero
Melanie La Barrie – Madame Morrible
Andy Hockley – The Wizard
Sarah McNicholas – Nessarose
Jack Lansbury – Boq
Martin Bell – Doctor Dillamond
Laura Pick – Standby for Elphaba
Carina Gillespie – Standby for Glinda
Jennie Abbotts – Ensemble
Ashley Birchall – Swing
Creative
Stephen Schwartz – Music & Lyrics
Winnie Holzman – Book
Joe Mantello – Director
Wayne Cilento – Musical staging
Eugene Lee – Scenic designer
Susan Hilferty – Scenic designer
Kenneth Posner – Lighting designer
Tony Meola – Sound designer
Elaine J. McCarthy – Projection designer
Tom Watson – Hair designer
William david Brohn – Orchestrations
Alex Lacamoire – Music arrangements