Latest News Updates

'THE MOUSETRAPS' HONOUR WICKED WITH 3 MAJOR AWARDS

Thursday, May 03, 2012

YOUTH VOTE INCLUDES 'SHOW I WOULD MOST RECOMMEND'

Wicked, the hit West End musical that tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, has picked up three major prizes at the inaugural Mousetraps, a new set of awards voted for exclusively by young people. The show won for "Show I Would Most Recommend" and "Best Ensemble" while its home, the Apollo Victoria Theatre, also won the "Most Welcoming Venue" award.

The awards are organised by Mousetrap Theatre Projects, a charity that helps disadvantaged and special needs young people attend theatre in the West End. More than 350 young people aged between 15 and 23 voted for the winners.

"A major hit with audiences and critics alike" (BBC News), Wicked continues to be the top choice of UK theatregoers who have voted the production London's Best Night Out (2011 Evening Standard Theatre Award), Most Popular Show (2010 Olivier Award), Best West End Show (2011 and 2010 Whatsonstage.com Award), Best New Musical (2007 Whatsonstage.com Awards) and Best Family Fun (2009 Visit London Awards).

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', Wicked 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.

Wicked currently stars: Rachel Tucker (Elphaba), Gina Beck (Glinda), Matt Willis (Fiyero), Julie Legrand (Madam Morrible) and Desmond Barrit (The Wizard).

Wicked has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman and is directed by Joe Mantello. Wicked is based on the novel, 'Wicked - The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West', by Gregory Maguire.

 

WEST END WICKED EXTENDS BOOKING INTO 2013

Monday, January 23, 2012

HIT MUSICAL TO PERFORM THROUGHOUT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Wicked, the smash hit West End musical now in its sixth spellbinding year at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre, is pleased to announce the opening of its 13th new booking period, with tickets now on sale until Saturday 27 April 2013.

Easily accessible at the heart of London's "Royal" district of Victoria, being 1 minute from London Victoria Mainline and Underground stations and a short walk from Victoria Coach Station, the "hugely popular show" (The Times) will perform throughout the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations (Saturday 2 June - Tuesday 5 June 2012), and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with an extra matinee added on Thursday 26 July 2012 at 2.30pm in place of the Friday 27 July 2012 evening performance.

2011 proved to be the hit musical's highest grossing year to date, continuing its pattern of year-on-year growth at the Box Office since opening. Also during this landmark year, Wicked welcomed its 4 millionth theatregoer, celebrated its 5th birthday and became one of the Top 20 longest-running West End musicals of all time.

Wicked continues to be the top choice of West End theatregoers having been voted Best Night Out (Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2011), Most Popular Show (Olivier Awards 2010) and Best West End Show (Whatsonstage.com Awards in both 2011 and 2010).

Wicked currently stars Rachel Tucker (Elphaba), Gina Beck (Glinda), Matt Willis (Fiyero), Desmond Barrit (The Wizard), Julie Legrand (Madame Morrible), Lillie Flynn (Nessarose), Christopher Howell (Doctor Dillamond), Adam Pettigrew (Boq), Nikki Davis-Jones (Standby Elphaba) and Chloe Taylor (Standby Glinda).

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, Wicked 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.

 

WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE SECOND WICKED YOUNG WRITERS' AWARD

Friday, December 09, 2011

The Wicked Young Writers' Award today announced its winners for 2011 at a prestigious ceremony hosted by Michael Morpurgo, best-selling author of War Horse and Chair Judge of the Award. The ceremony was also attended by Michael McCabe, Executive Producer of the hit musical Wicked, and Patron of the Award, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.

The winning entrants had their stories performed by cast members at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre, home of the award-winning musical. The winners were revealed as: Yetunde Lanlehin, age 6 from London, Josie Reynolds, age 10 from Gwent, Louisa Cowell, age 13 from Chester, joint-winners Tariq Williams, age 14 from London, and Lauren Palmer, age 16 from Falkirk, and Naomi Lever, age 25, from Newcastle.

The long-running West End show launched the Award in 2010 to recognise excellence in writing, encourage creativity and help develop writing talent in young people between 5 and 25 years of age from across all backgrounds and areas of the UK. The judges for this year's award included William Fiennes, author and founder of literacy charity First Story, Michael McCabe, Executive Producer of Wicked, and former Children's Laureate and author of War Horse, Michael Morpurgo.

Michael Morpurgo commented: "As judges and writers we were struck by the high standard of the entries, but this year particularly among the older age-categories. Writers need to feel that what they have to say is important, and we were delighted to read so many pieces of writing that were so obviously close to the writer's own experience and voice. There is such a pleasure in hearing the author's voice come through the writing. All these winning pieces of writing were originally, expressed and deeply felt."

Wicked's Executive Producer Michael McCabe said: "Wicked is ultimately the story of a young person finding the confidence to freely express and stand up for oneself, so it has been hugely rewarding to have had so many young people across the country engage with these values through the Wicked Young Writers' Award."

Judges chose six winners from thousands of entries, with 45% boys and 55% girls entering theAward. The most popular topics across all age groups surrounded themes such as family issues, friendship and relationships, as well as conflict and terrorism. The shortlisted finalist entries from the 5-16 year old age categories have been published in an anthology celebrating the 2011 Wicked Young Writers' Award, sponsored by publisher Headline. Due to their more adult content, the shortlisted entries from the 17-25 year old age category have been published in an e-anthology downloadable from the Wicked Young Writers' Award website.

The Wicked Young Writers' Award has been working with the independent literacy charity, the National Literacy Trust. It is delighted to announce that in 2012 it will broaden this partnership to include joint events at literary festivals and conferences to highlight both reading and writing skills amongst young people. HRH The Duchess of Cornwall is Patron of the National Literacy Trust.

Entries for the 2012 Wicked Young Writers' Award are now open.

 

WICKED NOMINATED 'BEST WEST END SHOW' AT THE WHATSONSTAGE.COM AWARDS 2012

Friday, December 02, 2011

Wicked, the smash hit musical that recently welcomed its 4 millionth theatregoer to London's Apollo Victoria Theatre, has been nominated
Best West End Show at the Whatsonstage.com Awards 2012. Wicked has previously won this award in both 2011 and 2010.

Wicked continues to be West End theatregoers' top choice having previously also won the 2010 Olivier Audience Award for Most Popular Show and the 2011 Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Night Out.

Voting is now open at: awards.whatsonstage.com/vote

Winners will be announced on Sunday 19 February 2012 at the West End's Prince of Wales Theatre. The Whatsonstage.com Awards are the only major prize-giving event in the UK decided entirely by the public.

The "hugely popular show" (The Times), which recently celebrated its landmark 5th birthday, is now one of the Top 20 longest-running West End musicals of all time.

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, Wicked 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.

Wicked has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman and is directed by Joe Mantello. Wicked is based on the novel, Wicked - The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire.

Apollo Victoria Theatre, Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LG

 

THEATREGOERS VOTE WICKED LONDON'S 'BEST NIGHT OUT' AT THE 2011 EVENING STANDARD THEATRE AWARDS

Monday, November 21, 2011

Wicked, the smash hit musical that recently welcomed its 4 millionth theatregoer to the Apollo Victoria Theatre, is honoured to have been named 'Best Night Out' at the prestigious Evening Standard Theatre Awards, presented last night (20 November 2011) at a star-studded ceremony at The Savoy in London.

Wicked continues to be theatregoers' top choice having previously won the 2010 Olivier Audience Award for 'Most Popular Show' and been voted London's 'Best West End Show' at the Whatsonstage.com Awards in both 2011 and 2010.

UK Executive Producer Michael McCabe commented: "We are incredibly honoured to have won the Evening Standard's very first public-voted category and would like to thank the readers for their generous support. Now in our sixth year, we continue to be indebted to the public and immensely grateful for their enthusiasm and championing of this phenomenal musical".

The "hugely popular show" (The Times), which recently celebrated its landmark 5th birthday, is now one of the Top 20 longest-running West End musicals of all time.

 

WICKED CONFIRMS FULL NEW CAST BEGINNING 12 DECEMBER 2011

Monday, October 03, 2011

Wicked, the smash hit musical that recently celebrated its landmark 5th birthday at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre, is pleased to confirm its entire new cast.

From Monday 12 December 2011, the "hugely popular show" (The Times) will star:

Rachel Tucker (Elphaba), Gina Beck (Glinda), Matt Willis (Fiyero), Desmond Barrit (The Wizard), Julie Legrand (Madame Morrible), Lillie Flynn (Nessarose), Christopher Howell (Doctor Dillamond), Adam Pettigrew (Boq), Nikki Davis-Jones (Standby Elphaba), Chloe Taylor (Standby Glinda), Ashley Andrews, Gemma Atkins, Alex Louize Bird, Oliver Brenin, Kieran Brown, Andrew Bryant, Sophie Carmen-Jones, Nicholas Collier, Aileen Donohoe, Enobong Essien, Harry Francis, Emma Green, Chloe Hart, Jacqueline Hughes, Robert Jones, Sophie Linder-Lee, Bonnie Parker, Sean Parkins, Soeli Parry, Michelle Pentecost, David Rudin, Charlotte Scott, SamTaylor, Paulo Teixeira, Hannah Toy, Matt Turner and Oliver Watton.

Now one of the 10 longest running musicals currently playing in the West End and one of the 20 longest running West End musicals of all time, Wicked has twice been voted by theatregoers as London's 'Best West End Show' (Whatsonstage.com Awards in 2011 and 2010) and won the 2010 Olivier Award for 'Most Popular Show'.

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, Wicked 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.

Wicked has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman and is directed by Joe Mantello. Wicked is based on the novel, Wicked - The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire.

Apollo Victoria Theatre, Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LG

 

WEST END SENSATION WICKED CELEBRATES LANDMARK 5TH BIRTHDAY - TUESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2011

Monday, September 26, 2011

Wicked, the smash hit musical that tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, will celebrate its landmark 5th birthday on Tuesday 27 September 2011 at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre.

Acclaimed as "a phenomenon" (Sky News) and "the biggest thing in musicals since The Phantom of the Opera opened" (The Times), Wicked has become one of the West End's most popular and successful musicals of all time, breaking countless Box Office records and winning multiple awards since its West End premiere in 2006. Amongst the production's many notable accomplishments are:

• Grossing an incredible £145 million at the UK Box Office to date.
• Being the first, and so far only, West End show to gross over £1 million in a single week - taking £1,002,885 during w/c 27 December 2010.
• Sustaining unprecedented year-on-year financial growth at the Box Office. The show is currently £2 million up on the same period in 2010.
• Playing over 2000 performances, with standing ovations at every performance, and attracting almost 4 million theatregoers to date. The 4 millionth theatregoer is currently forecast to attend in November 2011.
• Being twice voted by theatregoers as London's 'Best West End Show' (Whatsonstage.com Awards in 2011 and 2010) and winner of the 2010 Oliver Audience Award for 'Most Popular Show'.
• Now being one of the 10 longest running musicals currently playing in the West End and one of the 20 longest running West End musicals of all time.
• Developing ongoing relationships with national charities (including The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, The Woodland Trust, St John Ambulance and Mousetrap Theatre Projects) through its FOR GOOD programme, which champions and supports a range of causes born out of the themes of the show. The musical also created the WICKED Young Writers' Award in 2010, chaired by author Michael Morpurgo with patronage from HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.





UK Executive Producer Michael McCabe commented: "This is an incredible landmark for all of us involved in Wicked and we couldn't be more delighted to have become such a popular, long-running hit. We are also proud that our continued success has enabled us to support so many charitable projects though our on-going 'For Good' programme. Our heartfelt thanks go to every single person who is part of this extraordinary production and to the millions of theatregoers who have been so supportive of the show since our very first performance five years ago."

 

GINA BECK AND MATT WILLIS TO JOIN CAST FROM MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2011. DESMOND BARRIT RETURNS TO PLAY ‘THE WIZARD’

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Wicked, the smash hit musical that tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, is pleased to announce that Gina Beck and Matt Willis will join the cast on Monday 12 December 2011 to star as Glinda and Fiyero respectively. Desmond Barrit is returning to the show to play The Wizard. They will be joined by Lillie Flynn (Nessarose), Christopher Howell (Doctor Dillamond) and Adam Pettigrew (Boq).

Gina Beck (Glinda) recently finished a two-year season starring as 'Christine Daaé' in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera at London's Her Majesty's Theatre. She made her West End debut in 2006 as 'Cosette' in Les Misérables at the Queens Theatre and recently performed in the 25th Anniversary Concert at The O2. Gina is currently starring in The Belle's Stratagem at the Southwark Playhouse.

Matt Willis (Fiyero) first shot to fame as a member of the chart-topping, BRIT award-winning band Busted. In 2006 he won the popular ITV show I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. He has subsequently made countless TV appearances, many alongside his wife, presenter Emma Willis. Having originally trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, Matt returned to his theatre roots in 2010, to make his West End debut as 'Nick Hurley' in Flashdance. He most recently starred as 'Chuck' in the UK national tour of Footloose.

Desmond Barrit (The Wizard) originally starred in Wicked in 2008/09. The Olivier award-winning RSC and National Theatre actor has just finished playing 'Falstaff', directed by Sir Peter Hall, to great acclaim.

Gina Beck (Glinda), Matt Willis (Fiyero), Desmond Barrit (The Wizard), Lillie Flynn (Nessarose), Christopher Howell (Doctor Dillamond) and Adam Pettigrew (Boq) will join current Wicked stars Rachel Tucker (Elphaba) and Julie Legrand (Madame Morrible) from Monday 12 December 2011.

Wicked recently played its 2000th performance and will celebrate its landmark 5th birthday on Tuesday 27 September 2011. The "hugely popular musical" (The Times) has now been seen by almost 4 million people since its West End premiere in 2006.

Acclaimed as "the hit musical with brains, heart and courage" (The Sunday Telegraph), Wicked has won multiple awards including the 2010 Olivier Award for Most Popular Show and the Whatsonstage.com Award for Best West End Show in both 2011 and 2010.

 

RACHEL TUCKER EXTENDS TO PLAY ‘ELPHABA’ INTO 2012

Monday, August 01, 2011

Wicked, the smash hit musical that tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, is pleased to announce that Rachel Tucker will continue in her acclaimed starring role as Elphaba into 2012. Julie Legrand (Madame Morrible), Nikki Davis-Jones (Standby Elphaba) and Chloe Taylor (Standby Glinda) are also all continuing in their roles.

UK Executive Producer Michael McCabe commented: “Since first joining our cast in March 2010, Rachel has thrilled audiences and critics alike with her powerful and passionate performance as Elphaba. We are all absolutely thrilled that Rachel has now decided to continue leading the company with her extraordinary professionalism and great dedication to the role - we couldn't be more proud of her success“.

Louise Dearman (Glinda), Mark Evans (Fiyero), Clive Carter (The Wizard), Julian Forsyth (Dr Dillamond), Zoe Rainey (Nessarose) and Ben Stott (Boq) will all play their final performances on Saturday 10 December 2011.

Wicked recently celebrated its landmark 2000th performance at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. This “hugely popular musical“ (The Times) has now been seen by almost 4 million people and grossed in excess of £135 million at the UK Box Office since its West End premiere in 2006.

Acclaimed as “the hit musical with brains, heart and courage“ (The Sunday Telegraph) Wicked has won multiple awards including the 2010 Olivier Award for Most Popular Show and the Whatsonstage.com Award for Best West End Show in both 2011 and 2010.

Wicked has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman and is directed by Joe Mantello. Wicked is based on the novel, Wicked - The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire.

 

WICKED EXTENDS BOOKING THROUGH THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS

Monday, July 04, 2011

TICKETS NOW ON SALE UNTIL 27 OCTOBER 2012
THE HIT MUSICAL CELEBRATES ITS 2000TH PERFORMANCE 2 JULY 2011

Wicked, the smash hit musical that tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, is pleased to announce the opening of its 12th new booking period, with tickets now on sale until 27 October 2012 at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre. The new booking period encompasses both The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in June 2012 and the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in July and August 2012.

Wicked will celebrate its landmark 2000th performance this Saturday, 2 July 2011 at 2.30pm. The "hugely popular musical" (The Times) has now been seen by almost 4 million people and grossed in excess of £135 million at the UK Box Office since its West End premiere in 2006.

Acclaimed as “the hit musical with brains, heart and courage” (The Sunday Telegraph) WICKED has won multiple awards including the 2010 Olivier Award for Most Popular Show, the Whatsonstage.com Award for Best West End Show in both 2011 and 2010 and a Visit London People's Choice Award in 2009.

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, WICKED 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.

Wicked currently stars Rachel Tucker (Elphaba), Louise Dearman (Glinda), Mark Evans (Fiyero), Julie Legrand (Madame Morrible), Clive Carter (The Wizard), Julian Forsyth (Dr Dillamond), Zoe Rainey (Nessarose), Ben Stott (Boq), Nikki Davis-Jones (Standby Elphaba) and Chloe Taylor (Standby Glinda).

Cast subject to change from Monday 12 December 2011.