Wicked the Musical: Everything you need to know about the hit show
Get ready to defy gravity!
Since opening on Broadway nearly 20 years ago, Wicked has taken the world by storm!
A tale of unexpected friendship, our inner desires and a whole lot of mischief, Wicked the musical really is a show for everyone. So join us as we dive into all you need to know including who's in the cast, how you can grab tickets and if there's a movie on the way!
What is Wicked about?
Based on the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, Wicked the musical serves as a prequel to classic story, The Wizard of Oz which itself also began as a novel written by L. Frank Baum. The prequel gives us an insight into how The Wizard of Oz's two witches, Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba) met.
The pair meet at Shiz university and eventually form an unlikely friendship, but a meeting with the Wizard causes a divide between the pair, with Glinda eager for more popularity and power, and Elphaba's desire to stay true to herself and her beliefs.
In Oz, their destinies are fulfilled as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. As the ninth longest running show in the West End, Wicked is a must-see show.
Wicked West End current cast:
New cast in 2023
The West End production features Alexia Khadime returning to the role of Elphaba and Phantom star Lucy St. Louis playing Glinda.
Caitlin Anderson will make her West End debut as Nessarose, and current ensemble cast member Joe Thompson-Oubari will take over the role of Boq.
The full cast for 2023 also includes Ryan Reid (Fiyero), Sophie-Louise Dann (Madame Morrible), Mark Curry (The Wizard), Caitlin Anderson (Nessarose), Joe Thompson-Oubari (Boq), Simeon Truby (Doctor Dillamond), Amy Webb (Standby for Elphaba), Lisa-Anne Wood (Standby for Glinda), Yuki Abe, Kofi Aidoo-Appiah, Conor Ashman, Jessica Aubrey, Joshua Clemetson, Fergus Dale, Effie Rae Dyson, Nicola Espallardo, Danny Fogarty, Ross Harmon, Kate Leiper, Nick Len, Jemima Loddy, Joshua Lovell, PaddyJoe Martin, Millie Mayhew, Harry Mills, Daniel Parrott, Aiesha Naomi Pease, Jeanie Ryan, Natalie Spriggs, James Titchener, Micaela Todd, Christine Tucker, Jaydon Vijn and Taela Yeomans-Brown.
WATCH: Trailer for Wicked in the West End
Is Wicked going on tour?
Yes it is! Wicked will be heading on a UK and Ireland tour starting with the Edinburgh Playhouse in December 2023. The tour will then visit Bristol, Birmingham, Bradford, Southampton, Liverpool, Dublin, Sunderland, Cardiff and Manchester.
The touring production stars Laura Pick as Elphaba and Carl Man as Fiyero. Their first performance was at Magic at the Musicals 2023.
Will Wicked get a film adaptation?
A Wicked film is on the way! It's no surprise that a musical as successful as Wicked would have Hollywood eager to bring Glinda and Elphaba to the silver screen. The project has been in the works for about a decade now with delays appearing for various reasons. However, we know it's still going ahead as In the Heights director Jon M. Chu has recently come on board to direct.
The film will star Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. The film is set to be released in two parts and released during the festive seasons of 2024 and 2025 respectively.
When does the Wicked film come out?
While the film was set for a December 2021 date, the film has been pushed back again. At the moment we're expecting to see it around the festive period of 2023 or 2024.
Who wrote Wicked the musical?
Stephen Schwartz wrote Wicked the musical. Stephen wrote the music and lyrics for Wicked and is best known for his score in Godspell. Stephen's other work includes the DreamWorks' Prince of Egypt - which ran in the West End between 2020 and 2022 - as well as other great musicals including Pippin, and Disney's animated classic, Pocahontas.
Has Wicked the musical won any awards?
Wicked the musical is one of the most celebrated musicals around and has won more than 100 major awards over the years. In the UK, Wicked has won two Olivier Awards in 2015 and 2010 respectively, the Dress Circle Award for Greatest Musical, and was also named Best Musical of the Decade by Entertainment Weekly.
International awards include three Tony Awards, a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album and three Bibi Ferreira Awards in Brazil including one for Best Musical.
Where can I see Wicked the musical?
Wicked's London home is the Apollo Victoria Theatre, a spectacular Grade II listed building right by Victoria Mainland and Underground stations.
How long does Wicked the musical last?
The running time is 2 hours and 45 minutes long.
How long has Wicked been running?
Wicked has been a staple of the West End for over 15 years having opened at the Apollo Victoria on 27th September 2006. It is currently the 9th longest running musical in the West End.
The Broadway production has been running for nearly 20 years having opened at the Gershwin Theatre on 30th October 2003. It is the 5th longest running Broadway musical.
How can I get tickets to Wicked in London?
Tickets for Wicked the musical can be purchased online or by telephone by calling 0844 871 3001. For access bookings, call 0800 912 6973. Wicked is booking through until 26th November 2023.
A range of accessible shows are available including an audio described, captioned, and sign language interpreted performances. Full access information including ticketing information can be found on the Wicked website.
Can I buy Wicked the musical merchandise?
If you've seen the show and you're a super fan or you're looking for a gift to go with some tickets, the Wicked website is full of merchandise including the Defying Gravity book, Wicked spoons and a snow globe.
Are there any COVID rules?
ATG are no longer asking for proof of COVID status.
Read our full guide of the each West End theatre's COVID requirements.
When did Wicked re-open in the West End?
After being forced to close last year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Wicked flew back to London's Apollo Victoria on 15th September 2021.
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