Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
Wicked, the smash-hit musical that reimagines the story of The Wizard of Oz from the perspective of the witches, has revealed its new West End cast, who will take over the roles of Elphaba, Glinda, and their friends and foes on 12 March 2024 at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. The new cast includes some of the most talented and acclaimed performers in the UK, who will bring their own magic and charisma to the show.
Wicked is based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, which explores the backstory and relationship of Elphaba, the green-skinned witch who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the bubbly and blonde witch who becomes the Good Witch of the South. The musical follows their journey from being unlikely friends at Shiz University, to becoming rivals over their love for Fiyero, a handsome and rebellious prince, and their involvement in the politics and secrets of Oz.
The musical features a score by Stephen Schwartz, the composer of Godspell, Pippin, and The Prince of Egypt, and a book by Winnie Holzman, the creator of My So-Called Life. The songs include “Defying Gravity”, “Popular”, “For Good”, and “No Good Deed”. The musical is directed by Joe Mantello, choreographed by Wayne Cilento, and designed by Eugene Lee, Susan Hilferty, Kenneth Posner, Tony Meola, Elaine J. McCarthy, and Tom Watson.
The new cast of Wicked will be led by Alexia Khadime as Elphaba and Lucy St. Louis as Glinda, who will both return to the show after playing the roles in the past. Khadime first played Elphaba in 2008 and 2009, and has since starred in The Lion King, Les Misérables, The Book of Mormon, and The Prince of Egypt. St. Louis played Glinda in the UK and Ireland tour of Wicked in 2018, and is currently playing Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera. She has also appeared in Motown The Musical and Man of La Mancha.
They will be joined by Ryan Reid as Fiyero, Sophie-Louise Dann as Madame Morrible, Mark Curry as The Wizard, Caitlin Anderson as Nessarose, Joe Thompson-Oubari as Boq, and Simeon Truby as Doctor Dillamond. Reid has recently played Fiyero in the tour of Wicked, and has also been in The Book of Mormon and The Lion King. Dann is an Olivier Award-nominated actress who has been in The Girls, Made in Dagenham, and Bend It Like Beckham. Curry is a well-known TV presenter and actor who has been in Hollyoaks, Last of the Summer Wine, and The Rocky Horror Show. Anderson will make her West End debut in Wicked, after graduating from the Royal Academy of Music. Thompson-Oubari is currently in the ensemble of Wicked, and has also been in Aladdin and The Lion King. Truby has been in Sweeney Todd, The Phantom of the Opera, and Les Misérables.
The current cast of Wicked, which includes Lucie Jones as Elphaba, Helen Woolf as Glinda, Carina Gillespie as Nessarose, and Nicholas McLean as Boq, will play their final performance on 10 March 2024. Wicked is one of the longest-running and most successful musicals in West End history, having won over 100 awards and been seen by over 11 million people. It is also one of the most popular and acclaimed shows on Broadway, where it has been running since 2003.
Wicked is a musical that celebrates the power of friendship, courage, and difference, and challenges the stereotypes and prejudices that we often have about others. It is a show that appeals to audiences of all ages and backgrounds, and has a loyal and passionate fan base. It is a show that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer, and leave you feeling inspired and uplifted.
If you want to experience the magic and wonder of Wicked, don’t miss the chance to see the new cast in action. Book your tickets now and get ready to be spellbound by this wickedly good musical.
