West End musical Wicked: be spellbound by this London theatre smash hit

Willemijn Verkaik as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. Credit: Matt Crockett
Willemijn Verkaik as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. Credit: Matt Crockett

The multi award-winning West End musical Wicked, now in its 11th year, will blow you away

Turning the beloved children’s story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz on its head, the West End musical Wicked challenges our perceptions of good versus evil.

The show is based on Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.

While the film paints the Wicked Witch of the West, who taunts poor Dorothy and Toto, as a baddie, the musical is less damning.

Was the Wicked Witch of the West truly evil or the innocent victim of a corrupt regime? The musical will make you question her motives.

WICKED at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, London. Credit: Matt Crockett
WICKED at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, London. Credit: Matt Crockett

The story starts long before Dorothy and Toto arrive in the Land of Oz, reimagining the build up.

The show looks back at the university days of Elphaba and Glinda – the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the South respectively.

The story explores how the two women became such fierce enemies, and will make you question who is good and who is bad.

Suzie Mathers as Glinda in Wicked. Credit: Matt Crockett
Suzie Mathers as Glinda in Wicked. Credit: Matt Crockett

The show, which has some big set pieces, ultimately relies on the talent and chemistry of its two female leads. Willemijn Verkaik currently plays the role of Elphaba, while Suzie Mathers plays Glinda, with both ladies performing their parts brilliantly.

Audiences will love seeing familiar characters the Wizard of Oz, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion.

It’s a fun romp for young and old, couples and families alike. We give Wicked, playing at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, a four broomstick thumbs up.

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