Wicked

Synopsis

Audiences have relished in revisiting the Land of Oz ever since they first witnessed Judy Garland singing down the Yellow Brick Road in “The Wizard of Oz”. It is a story that was first told in L Frank Baum’s classic turn-of-the-20th-century novel and it has spawned countless other adaptations, sequels and spin-offs.  Then there are the prequel stories, one of which is the classic novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West”, which appeared in the 1990s and was soon picked up for a new musical adaptation. But little did composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz know, “Wicked” would become a Broadway and West End sensation.

The story is set long before Dorothy and Toto crash land in the world of Oz, with the kingdom a much different place. But some of the seeds of their ultimate adventure begin to come together in “Wicked” as two young girls meet one another, whose eventual rivalry will cause great distress for Dorothy when she finally arrives. One is Glinda, a girl blessed with good looks, popularity and big ambitions. The other is Elphaba, cursed with emerald green skin, shunned by others and left only with book smarts. What begins as a playground rivalry ultimately becomes an all-out battle as the former becomes Glinda the Good Witch and the latter Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West.

The novel was originally published in 1995 and itself was followed by sequels such as “Song of Witch” and “A Lion Amongst Men”. However, it would be the composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz that would bring it to the attention of audiences worldwide when he adapted it into a magnificent stage musical in 1996, providing theatregoers with a brand new Broadway experience. It would open in New York in 2003 and was quickly dubbed one of the biggest blockbusters on the scene (according to the New York Times) and with Tony Awards added to the mix, it was clear that it would have lasting success.

And so it opened its doors in the West End three years later in 2006 and once again audiences flocked to witness the story unfold onstage. It goes to show that more than a century after L Frank Baum’s classic novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” was first published it still has fans all over the world.

Wicked continues its run at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it is likely to remain for some time to come.

Venue Information

Apollo Victoria
17 Wilton Road
London
SW1V 1LL
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Directions

Take the Victoria, District or Circle Line to Victoria Station. Exit via Wilton Rd, the theatre is directly opposite the station.

Seating Plan