By Andrew Gans
27 Sep 2006

Idina Menzel reprises her Tony-winning performance as Elphaba in the London premiere of Wicked.
photo by Tristram Kenton

After conquering Broadway, Chicago and various cities throughout the United States, the West End production of Wicked officially opens at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre Sept. 27. Previews of the Stephen Schwartz musical began Sept. 7.

Directed by Joe Mantello, who also helmed the Broadway company, Wicked co-stars Tony Award winner Idina Menzel — who is re-creating her work as the misunderstood, green-faced witch Elphaba for London audiences — and Australian actress Helen Dallimore, who is making her West End debut as Glinda, the role originated by Kristin Chenoweth.

The London cast also features Adam Garcia as Fiyero, Miriam Margolyes as Madame Morrible, Nigel Planer as The Wizard, Katie Rowley Jones as Nessarose, James Gillan as Boq and Martin Ball as Doctor Dillamond. Kerry Ellis is the standby for Elphaba, and she is scheduled to succeed Tony winner Menzel in January 2007. Annalene Beechey is the standby for Glinda.

The Wicked ensemble comprises Simon Adkins, Paul Ayres, Joseph Connor, Nadine Cox, Sarah Earnshaw, Jye Frasca, Maria Graciano, Nicky Griffiths, Simon Hardwick, Pippa Higgs, Melissa Hunte, Cassidy Janson, Caroline Keiff, Joshua Lacey, Andy Mace, Dominic Shaw, Philippa Stefani, Craig Stein, Oliver Tompsett, Tim Walton and Kerry Washington.

Wicked features a score by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. The creative team also includes scenic design by Eugene Lee, costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Kenneth Posner, sound design by Tony Meola, projections by Elaine J. McCarthy, wig and hair design by Tom Watson, music supervision and arrangements by Stephen Oremus, orchestrations by William David Brohn, dance arrangements by James Lynn Abbott, musical staging by Wayne Cilento and musical supervision-direction by Gareth Valentine.

Based on Gregory Maguire's novel, which turned every Oz myth inside out, Wicked explores the early life of the witches of Oz: Glinda and Elphaba. The two main characters meet at Shiz, a school where both hope to take up sorcery. Glinda is madly popular and Elphaba is, well, green. By a misunderstanding, they wind up roommates and, after an initial period of mutual loathing, begin to learn something about each other. Their life paths continue to intersect through a shared love, entry into the Emerald City and interaction with the Wizard himself. Eventually, their choices and convictions take them on widely different paths.

For more on Wicked call (0)870 594 9494.

Adam Garcia, Helen Dallimore, Miriam Margolyes and the company of Wicked.
photo by Tristram Kenton

Click Here to Buy Tickets to This Show