http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk Latest news from WICKED The Musical WICKED WELCOMES 2 MILLIONTH THEATREGOER http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/ZckR9xMRh3A/readnews.asp WICKED on Monday 11 May 2009.



Pictured left - right: Dianne Pilkington (Glinda), Louisa Robb (2 millionth theatregoer), Oliver Tompsett (Fiyero), Craig Robinson (Louisa's boyfriend), Alexia Khadime (Elphaba).

Louisa, with boyfriend Craig Robinson, was surprised by the WICKED producers with an upgrade to the best seats in the house and VIP treatment for the evening.

WICKED opened at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre in September 2006 and celebrated its 1000th performance on Saturday 14 February 2009. As it heads towards its 3rd birthday and fourth year (in September), WICKED continues to break Box Office records, most recently during the Easter fortnight where it achieved a combined gross of £1,416,824.50 with almost 36,000 seeing the show. The week commencing 6 April was the production's highest grossing 8-show week, playing to 99.8% capacity. WICKED has grossed almost £75 million at the Box Office since opening.

In addition to the London production, the international hit musical is also currently running in North America (4 productions), Japan, Germany and Australia.

Tickets are currently on sale until Saturday 3 April 2010.

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 fulfill their destinies as 'Glinda The Good' and the 'Wicked Witch of the West'.

Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

WICKED proudly supports Bliss, the special care baby charity and the Anti-Bullying Alliance

Press Contact: Jo Allan or Anna Dawson
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7243 6176 Email: jo@joallan.co.uk or anna@joallan.co.uk ]]> 30wkd Wed, 13 May 2009 17:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=30wkd WICKED FULL NEW COMPANY ANNOUNCED http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/kWhjYHP12I4/readnews.asp WICKED, which recently celebrated its 1000th performance, is pleased to confirm its new London company. From Monday 11 May 2009, the full cast will be:

Alexia Khadime (Elphaba), Dianne Pilkington (Glinda), Oliver Tompsett (Fiyero), Sam Kelly (The Wizard), Harriet Thorpe (Madame Morrible), Natalie Anderson (Nessarose), Alex Jessop (Boq), David Stoller (Doctor Dillamond), Ashleigh Gray (Standby for Elphaba) and Sarah Earnshaw (Standby for Glinda), Karen Aspinall, Lee Bridgeman, Sabrina Carter, Aileen Donohoe, A C Garcia, Clare Halse, Lauren James Ray, Keeley Jane Jackson, Arran Knight, Danny Mac, Mitchell Mahony, Sean Needham, Buchi Osuji, Sean Parkins, Caroline Rovina, Pharic Scott, Gregor Stewart, Lindsay Taylor, Chloe Taylor, Michelle Theunissen, Emily Tierney, Jennifer Tierney, Hannah Toy, George Ure, Sam Wilmott and Gary Wood.

The award-winning musical opened at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre in September 2006 and has now been seen by almost two million people and taken over £70 million at the Box Office. In addition to the London production, the international hit musical is also currently running in North America (4 productions), Japan, Germany and Australia.

Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

WICKED proudly supports Bliss, the special care baby charity and the Anti-Bullying Alliance

Press Contact: Jo Allan or Anna Dawson
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7243 6176 Email: jo@joallan.co.uk or anna@joallan.co.uk ]]> 29wkd Thur, 26 Mar 2009 17:30:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=29wkd WICKED NEW CAST ANNOUNCED http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/DBQgNX-Fsdc/readnews.asp SAM KELLY AND NATALIE ANDERSON JOIN THE COMPANY

ALEXIA KHADIME RETURNS AS 'ELPHABA'

The smash hit musical WICKED, which recently celebrated its 1000th performance, is pleased to welcome Sam Kelly as The Wizard and Natalie Anderson as Nessarose from Monday 11 May 2009. The production also welcomes back Alexia Khadime as Elphaba.

Since the early seventies, Sam Kelly has been one of the UK's best-loved and most popular actors. His many long-running television series have included Porridge with Ronnie Barker; 'Allo, 'Allo with Gorden Kaye; On The Up with Dennis Waterman and Barbara with Gwen Taylor. His National Theatre appearances include The Homecoming with Michael Sheen, War and Peace and A Funny Thing Happen On The Way To The Forum. Natalie Anderson is best known as 'Nurse Stella Davenport' in ITV's The Royal, a role she has been playing since 2004. She also starred in the BBC children's television drama series The Biz with Paul Nicholls.

Dianne Pilkington (Glinda), Oliver Tompsett (Fiyero), Harriet Thorpe (Madame Morrible), Ashleigh Gray (Standby for Elphaba) and Sarah Earnshaw (Standby for Glinda) have all extended their contracts. Current ensemble cast members Alex Jessop and David Stoller will take over the roles of Boq and Doctor Dillamond respectively.

Current WICKED stars Kerry Ellis (Elphaba), Desmond Barrit (The Wizard), Caroline Keiff (Nessarose), Jeremy Legat (Boq) and Andy Mace (Doctor Dillamond) will all play their final performances on Saturday 9th May 2009.

From Monday 11 May 2009, WICKED stars Alexia Khadime (Elphaba), Dianne Pilkington (Glinda), Oliver Tompsett (Fiyero), Sam Kelly (The Wizard), Harriet Thorpe (Madame Morrible), Natalie Anderson (Nessarose), Alex Jessop (Boq), David Stoller (Doctor Dillamond), Ashleigh Gray (Standby for Elphaba) and Sarah Earnshaw (Standby for Glinda).

The award-winning musical opened at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre in September 2006 and has now been seen by almost two million people and taken £70 million at the Box Office. In addition to the London production, WICKED is also currently running in North America (4 productions), Japan, Germany and Australia.

Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

WICKED proudly supports Bliss, the special care baby charity www.bliss.org.uk and the Anti-Bullying Alliance www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

Press Contact: Jo Allan or Anna Dawson
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7243 6176 Email: jo@joallan.co.uk or anna@joallan.co.uk ]]> 28wkd Thur, 26 Mar 2009 17:30:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=28wkd TICKETS ON SALE INTO 2010 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/SE0Wc4SfTWA/readnews.asp TICKETS ON SALE INTO 2010

The smash hit musical WICKED has extended booking, with tickets now on sale over a year in advance until Saturday 3 April 2010.

The award-winning musical opened at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre in September 2006 and celebrated its 1000th performance on Saturday 14 February 2009. Acknowledged as 'the West End's most successful musical' (The Independent on Sunday), WICKED has already been seen by almost two million people and taken in excess of £68 million at the Box Office. Last week (week ending 21 February 2009), the production played its third highest grossing week of its record-breaking run, taking £828,738 at the Box Office.

Based on Gregory Maguire's best-selling novel 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 the Witches of Oz and how one came to be called 'good' and the other 'wicked'.

WICKED stars Kerry Ellis as Elphaba, Dianne Pilkington as Glinda, Oliver Tompsett as Fiyero, Harriet Thorpe as Madame Morrible and Desmond Barrit as The Wizard. Cast subject to change from 11 May 2009. Alexia Khadime returns to play Elphaba from 11 May 2009.

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.

In addition to the London production, WICKED is also currently running in North America, Japan, Germany and Australia.

Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

Apollo Victoria Theatre, Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LG
Box Office and 24 Hour Credit Card Bookings: Ticketmaster 0844 826 8000

WICKED proudly supports Bliss, the special care baby charity www.bliss.org.uk and the Anti-Bullying Alliance www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

Press Contact: Jo Allan / jo@joallan.co.uk / +44 (0) 20 7243 6176 ]]> 27wkd Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=27wkd WICKED CELEBRATES 1000 PERFORMANCES http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/KPpJDpW_H9g/readnews.asp WICKED celebrated its 1000th performance at the sold out 2.30pm matinee on Saturday 14 February.

The award-winning musical opened at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre in September 2006 and is now in its third year. Acknowledged as 'the West End's most successful musical' (The Independent on Sunday), WICKED has already been seen by almost two million people and taken in excess of £67 million at the Box Office.

Based on Gregory Maguire's best-selling novel 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 the Witches of Oz and how one came to be called 'good' and the other 'wicked'.

WICKED stars Kerry Ellis as Elphaba, Dianne Pilkington as Glinda, Oliver Tompsett as Fiyero, Harriet Thorpe as Madame Morrible and Desmond Barrit as The Wizard. Cast subject to change from 11 May 2009. Alexia Khadime returns to play Elphaba from 11 May 2009.

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.

In addition to the London production, WICKED is also currently running in North America, Japan, Germany and Australia.

Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

Apollo Victoria Theatre, Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LG
Box Office and 24 Hour Credit Card Bookings: Ticketmaster 0844 826 8000

WICKED proudly supports Bliss, the special care baby charity www.bliss.org.uk and the Anti-Bullying Alliance www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

Press and PR - Jo Allan
Tel: 020 7243 6176
jo@joallan.co.uk ]]> 26wkd Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=26wkd WICKED CROWNS RECORD-BREAKING YEAR http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/1Hi3Zt_INL8/readnews.asp WICKED, now in its third year at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre, broke Box Office records last week with the highest weekly gross of its entire run. The musical grossed £885,294, beating its own record of £873,020 set in the final week of December 2006. Almost 20,000 theatregoers attended 9 performances of the musical last week.

WICKED continues to defy the ‘credit crunch’ and increased sales in 2008 by more than £1 million on the previous year, with no increase in ticket prices since February 2007, taking £28 million in total.

Acknowledged as ‘the West End's most successful musical’ (The Independent on Sunday), WICKED has taken in excess of £65 million at the Box Office since opening in September 2006. The award-winning musical has already been seen by over 1.7 million people and played over 950 performances.

UK Executive Producer Michael McCabe said: "2008 proved to be a remarkable year for Wicked and we are delighted to have ended it on such a high note. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our outstanding cast, company and crew, the incredible Box Office staff and the many individuals and contractors who have all helped to make Wicked such a huge and enduring success in London".

WICKED stars: Kerry Ellis as Elphaba, Dianne Pilkington as Glinda, Oliver Tompsett as Fiyero, Harriet Thorpe as Madame Morrible, Desmond Barrit as The Wizard, Caroline Keiff as Nessarose, Jeremy Legat as Boq and Andy Mace as Doctor Dillamond.

Cast subject to change from Monday 11 May 2009.

Alexia Khadime returns to play Elphaba from Monday 11 May 2009.

Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

WICKED proudly supports Bliss, the special care baby charity www.bliss.org.uk and the Anti-Bullying Alliance www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk ]]> 25wkd Mon, 5 Jan 20098 16:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=25wkd WICKED BEATS THE CREDIT CRUNCH http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/g4zp02_3_uU/readnews.asp WICKED, now in its third year at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre, has grossed almost £28 million in 2008, £1.2 million up on 2007. The musical has taken over £65 million at the Box Office since opening in September 2006.

Executive Producer Michael McCabe said: "We will end 2008 4% up on 2007 having experienced our highest grossing year to date. It is remarkable enough to see business building year-on-year but in these challenging financial times it seems like a miracle. We are very proud of the achievement and hugely grateful to all the theatregoers who continue to make this show such an enormous popular success."

Acknowledged as 'the West End's most successful musical' (The Independent on Sunday), WICKED has already been seen by over 1.7 million people and played over 900 performances.

WICKED stars: Kerry Ellis as Elphaba, Dianne Pilkington as Glinda, Oliver Tompsett as Fiyero, Harriet Thorpe as Madame Morrible, Desmond Barrit as The Wizard, Caroline Keiff as Nessarose, Jeremy Legat as Boq and Andy Mace as Doctor Dillamond.
Cast subject to change from Monday 11 May 2009.

Alexia Khadime returns to play Elphaba from Monday 11 May 2009.

Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

WICKED proudly supports Bliss, the special care baby charity www.bliss.org.uk and the
Anti-Bullying Alliance www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk ]]> 24wkd Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=24wkd ALEXIA KHADIME TO RETURN TO WICKED IN 2009 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/kivv6rHEuRk/readnews.asp WICKED from Monday 11 May 2009.

Alexia Khadime previously played Elphaba in the London production of WICKED from 9 June - 29 November 2008. Prior to WICKED, she starred as 'Nala' in Disney's The Lion King.

After two and a half remarkable years, the award-winning Kerry Ellis will play her final performance as Elphaba on Saturday 9 May 2009.

WICKED currently stars: Kerry Ellis as Elphaba, Dianne Pilkington as Glinda, Oliver Tompsett as Fiyero, Harriet Thorpe as Madame Morrible, Desmond Barrit as The Wizard, Caroline Keiff as Nessarose, Jeremy Legat as Boq and Andy Mace as Doctor Dillamond. Cast subject to change from Monday 11 May 2009.

WICKED proudly supports the Anti-Bullying Alliance www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk and Bliss, the special care baby charity www.bliss.org.uk ]]> 23wkd Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=23wkd KERRY ELLIS RETURNS FROM A TRIUMPHANT BROADWAY DEBUT http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/5F2ruGqFaWw/readnews.asp WICKED, the record-breaking hit musical now in its third year at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre, is pleased to welcome back Kerry Ellis as 'Elphaba' from Monday 1 December.

During her recent acclaimed run as Elphaba at New York's Gershwin Theatre, in which she made her Broadway debut, Kerry Ellis was named the number 1 Broadway actor by The Actors Hall of Fame. She also performed in the Broadway On Broadway concert in Times Square and Broadway In Bryant Park. She switched on the lights that turned the Empire State Building green in celebration of the Broadway production's 5th anniversary together with Stephen Schwartz. Kerry Ellis returns to the role at the Apollo Victoria Theatre that won her the 2007 Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award.

Acknowledged as 'the West End's most successful musical' (The Independent on Sunday), WICKED has already been seen by over 1.7 million people since its London premiere in September 2006, grossing in excess of £60 million at the Box Office to date.

From Monday 1 December, WICKED stars: Kerry Ellis as Elphaba, Dianne Pilkington as Glinda, Oliver Tompsett as Fiyero, Harriet Thorpe as Madame Morrible, Desmond Barrit as The Wizard, Caroline Keiff as Nessarose, Jeremy Legat as Boq and Andy Mace as Doctor Dillamond. Cast subject to change from 11 May 2009.

WICKED proudly supports the Anti-Bullying Alliance www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk and Bliss, the special care baby charity www.bliss.org.uk ]]> 22wkd Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=22wkd KERRY ELLIS JOINS ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2008 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/xAaIGlPadvI/readnews.asp WICKED STAR WILL PERFORM ‘DEFYING GRAVITY’ WITH BRIAN MAY

A host of celebrities and artists from the worlds of music, comedy and theatre come together for the annual highlight of the showbusiness calendar, the Royal Variety Performance.

Celebrating its 80th anniversary, this year's show will be returning to the iconic London Palladium on Thursday 11 December 2008 to be performed in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.

Kerry Ellis, who has just returned from Broadway where she recreated her award-winning performance as Elphaba in WICKED, will perform her sensational new version of ‘Defying Gravity’ from the hit musical. The song is featured on her new CD, ‘Wicked in Rock’, produced by, and featuring, legendary Queen guitarist Brian May.

Other participants will include Take That, Pussycat Dolls, Rihanna, Leona Lewis, Duffy, Peter Kay, Britain's Got Talent winner George Sampson, John Barrowman and American music sensation Naturally 7. Pop veterans Cliff Richard and The Shadows will reform especially for the show as they prepare to celebrate their 50th anniversary; and performing a one-off duet will be multi Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Josh Groban and BBC Last Choir Standing victors Only Men Aloud.

The Royal Variety Performance is an annual charity event in aid of the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund and will be shown on BBC One in December.

Kerry Ellis returns to play Elphaba in the London production of WICKED at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre from Monday 1 December 2008. She will not be performing on 10 or 11 December 2008.

Acknowledged as "the West End's most successful musical" (The Independent on Sunday), WICKED has already been seen by over 1.6 million people since its London premiere in September 2006. Booking was recently extended again and tickets are now on sale until Saturday 26 September 2009.

WICKED proudly supports the remarkable work of the Anti-Bullying Alliance www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk and Bliss, the special care baby charity www.bliss.org.uk ]]> 21wkd Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=21wkd LONDON’S No.1 SHOW CELEBRATES 2ND BIRTHDAY http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/lIpDWLGIHHA/readnews.asp
Click here to view the party pictures.

Acknowledged as "the West End's most successful musical" (The Independent on Sunday), WICKED has already been seen by over 1.6 million people since its London premiere in September 2006. Booking was recently extended again and tickets are now on sale until Saturday 26 September 2009.

The production currently stars: Alexia Khadime* as Elphaba, Dianne Pilkington as Glinda, Oliver Tompsett as Fiyero, Harriet Thorpe as Madame Morrible, Desmond Barrit as The Wizard, Caroline Keiff as Nessarose, Jeremy Legat as Boq and Andy Mace as Doctor Dillamond. *Kerry Ellis returns from Broadway to star as Elphaba from 1 December 2008.

Cast subject to change from 11 May 2009.

Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

WICKED proudly supports the remarkable work of the Anti-Bullying Alliance www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk and Bliss, the special care baby charity www.bliss.org.uk ]]> 20wkd Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=20wkd KERRY ELLIS TO SIGN ‘WICKED IN ROCK’ CD http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/G7nmNvE2HYc/readnews.asp WICKED star Kerry Ellis will be signing copies of her amazing 'WICKED IN ROCK' CD at Dress Circle in Covent Garden on Saturday 29 November from 2.30pm-4.00pm.

Currently starring as Elphaba on Broadway, Kerry Ellis returns to play her award-winning role at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre from Monday 1 December 2008.

Acknowledged as "the West End's most successful musical" (The Independent on Sunday), WICKED has already been seen by over 1.6 million people since its London premiere in September 2006. Booking was recently extended again and tickets are now on sale until Saturday 26 September 2009.

The production currently stars: Alexia Khadime* as Elphaba, Dianne Pilkington as Glinda, Oliver Tompsett as Fiyero, Harriet Thorpe as Madame Morrible, Desmond Barrit as The Wizard, Caroline Keiff as Nessarose, Jeremy Legat as Boq and Andy Mace as Doctor Dillamond. *Kerry Ellis returns to star as Elphaba from 1 December 2008. Cast subject to change from 11 May 2009.

Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

WICKED proudly supports the remarkable work of the Anti-Bullying Alliance www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk and Bliss, the special care baby charity www.bliss.org.uk ]]> 19wkd Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=19wkd DRESS CIRCLE SEARCHES FOR ‘THE GREATEST MUSICAL’ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/fl1M9lugLp8/readnews.asp Dress Circle, the ‘greatest showbiz shop in the world’, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. To mark this landmark event the internationally famous shop has launched an online poll to find the UK's ‘GREATEST MUSICAL’ of the last thirty years. Theatregoers worldwide can cast their votes now at www.dresscircleawards.com, so now is your chance to vote for WICKED!

In order to qualify for entry, a professional production of a show must have been performed live on stage in the UK between January 1978 and 31 July 2008. Only one vote per person will be counted. Throughout the duration of the voting period, the site will be kept updated regularly with a leader board, so keep checking back for updates. You can vote up until 12 midnight on 31 December 2008, and the winner will be announced in January 2009.

Specialising in West End and Broadway musicals, Dress Circle is located at 57-59 Monmouth Street in Covent Garden. It is possibly the best shop and online store in the world for stage musicals, soundtracks, cabaret, nostalgia, karaoke, comedy and Big Bands with CDs, DVDs, merchandise, printed music, books, collectables and gifts all available.

Greatest Musical Award site: www.dresscircleawards.com

Dress Circle site: www.dresscircle.com ]]> 18wkd Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=18wkd LONDON’S No.1 NEW MUSICAL ENTERS 3RD HIT YEAR http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/VaZjdo6Ci5k/readnews.asp WICKED, the record-breaking hit musical at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre, is one of the West End's biggest success stories. This year alone the award-winning new musical has already taken almost £20 million at the Box Office. WICKED today announces the opening of a new booking period with tickets on sale over a year in advance for all performances until Saturday 26 September 2009. Tickets go on sale this Monday (1 September 2008).

Executive Producer Michael McCabe said: "As we enter our third year in the West End the success of Wicked continues to grow. We have enjoyed an incredibly successful 2008 and business is up week-on-week from 2007 which is an extraordinary achievement. We are now delighted to be adding our 6th booking period and putting almost half a million (460,692) new tickets on sale."

Acknowledged as 'the West End's most successful musical' (The Independent on Sunday), WICKED has already been seen by over 1.5 million people since its London premiere in September 2006, grossing £55 million at the Box Office to date (with almost £20 million taken so far in 2008 alone). The musical officially celebrates its 2nd birthday on 27 September 2008.

The production currently stars: Alexia Khadime* as Elphaba, Dianne Pilkington as Glinda, Oliver Tompsett as Fiyero, Harriet Thorpe as Madame Morrible, Desmond Barrit as The Wizard, Caroline Keiff as Nessarose, Jeremy Legat as Boq and Andy Mace as Doctor Dillamond. *Kerry Ellis returns from Broadway to star as Elphaba from 1 December 2008.

Cast subject to change from 9 May 2009. ]]> 17wkd Mon, 29 Aug 2008 14:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=17wkd WICKED’S A WIZARD IN OZ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/ftfjac7olKo/readnews.asp LONDON PRODUCTION CONTINUES TO BE WEST END'S TOP PERFORMING SHOW, GROSSING £50 MILLION SINCE OPENING

The smash-hit musical WICKED continues to break box office records worldwide when its latest international production opened on 12 July at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne, Australia. The production opened to rave reviews and sold a record-breaking $1.5 million (Australian) in ticket sales the day after opening, shattering Melbourne box office records. The musical currently has advance ticket sales of over $13 million.

Australian co-producer John Frost states, "The fantastic critical reaction and overwhelming audience excitement for WICKED in Melbourne has exceeded our wildest expectations. We always felt there was a huge audience for WICKED here in Oz, and we're thrilled that Melbourne has embraced this spectacular musical as its own. We're proud to join the list of international 'Emerald Cities' which WICKED can call home for a long and healthy run, and we thank the Broadway producers, Marc Platt and David Stone, for choosing to mount this spectacular production with us here in Melbourne."

The London production continues its smash-hit run in the West End, having grossed well in excess of £50 million since its London premiere in September 2006. The production, which recently celebrated its 750th performance, recouped its entire capitalisation in early January 2008, becoming the first Broadway musical transfer to recoup in the West End in nearly a decade. Acknowledged as "the West End's most successful musical" (The Independent on Sunday), WICKED is consistently the West End's top grossing show.

Since its official Broadway opening at the Gershwin Theatre on 30 October 2003, WICKED has been sold out at virtually every performance and has consistently been Broadway's highest-grossing show. WICKED has been called "Broadway's biggest blockbuster" by the New York Times and "a cultural phenomenon" by Variety. The Washington Post said WICKED is, "a breathtaking success story, of a magnitude the theater has not witnessed since the peak years of The Phantom of the Opera."

Based on Gregory Maguire's best-selling novel that re-imagined the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', the award-winning WICKED tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz and how one came to be called 'good' and the other 'wicked'... ]]> 16wkd Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=16wkd WICKED WELCOMES DESMOND BARRIT AS ’THE WIZARD’ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/6aaWh69-Z2A/readnews.asp Desmond Barrit joins the record-breaking hit musical WICKED at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre tonight (Monday 7 July 2008) as The Wizard.

Desmond Barrit most recently starred as 'Hector' in Alan Bennett's The History Boys at Wyndham's Theatre, for which he has won unanimous critical acclaim. The Olivier Award-winning actor's performances for the RSC include: 'Falstaff' in Henry IV Parts 1 & 2 (Olivier Award nomination), directed by Michael Attenborough; 'Bottom' in A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Adrian Noble (also on Broadway); 'Trinculo' in The Tempest, directed by Nicholas Hytner; 'Antipholus' in The Comedy of Errors (Olivier Award) and 'Malvolio' in Twelfth Night, both directed by Ian Judge. At the National Theatre his acclaimed performances include 'Pseudolus' in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, directed by Edward Hall; 'Dick Cheney' in David Hare's Stuff Happens and 'Toad' in Alan Bennett's The Wind in the Willows, both directed by Nicholas Hytner. For the Donmar he has starred in Dario Fo's Accidental Death of an Anarchist with Rhys Ifans and as 'Birdboot' in Tom Stoppard's The Real Inspector Hound and 'Harold Gorrnge' in Peter Shaffer's Black Comedy, both with David Tennant.

The smash hit musical, which is soon to celebrate its 750th performance, has now been seen by over 1.4 million theatregoers since its London premiere in September 2006. The production has grossed over £50 million at the Box Office to date and recouped its entire £7 million capitalisation in January 2008.

WICKED now stars: Alexia Khadime as Elphaba, Dianne Pilkington as Glinda, Oliver Tompsett as Fiyero, Harriet Thorpe as Madame Morrible, Desmond Barrit as The Wizard, Caroline Keiff as Nessarose, Jeremy Legat as Boq and Andy Mace as Doctor Dillamond. ]]> 15wkd Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=15wkd WICKED REACHES £50 MILLION GROSS http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/YLvpIVrETYY/readnews.asp WICKED the record-breaking hit musical at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre, has reached a new milestone having taken £50 million at the Box Office to date.

The award-winning musical, which recently celebrated its 725th performance, has now been seen by 1.4 million theatregoers since its London premiere in September 2006. The production has taken over £50 million at the Box Office to date and recouped its entire £7 million capitalisation in January 2008 (the first Broadway musical transfer to recoup in the West End in a decade). WICKED continues to break records and recently set a new Box Office record for highest grossing single performance (grossing £113,780 on the evening of Saturday 7 June).

The musical officially welcomed its new cast at a special gala performance on Thursday 19 June. The production now stars: Alexia Khadime as Elphaba, Dianne Pilkington as Glinda, Oliver Tompsett as Fiyero, Harriet Thorpe as Madame Morrible, Desmond Barrit* as The Wizard, Caroline Keiff as Nessarose, Jeremy Legat as Boq and Andy Mace as Doctor Dillamond.

*Desmond Barrit joins WICKED from 7 July 2008. The role is currently being played by Andy Mace.

Based on Gregory Maguire's best-selling novel that re-imagined the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', the award-winning WICKED tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz and how one came to be called 'good' and the other 'wicked'...

WICKED has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman, musical staging by Wayne Cilento and is directed by Joe Mantello. It is based on the novel, Wicked - The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire. ]]> 14wkd Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=14wkd GALA OPENING FOR NEW WICKED CAST http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/ZUKGnUyIrdY/readnews.asp WICKED officially welcomed its new cast last night (Thursday 19 June) at a special gala performance. The production starred Alexia Khadime as Elphaba, Dianne Pilkington as Glinda, Oliver Tompsett as Fiyero, Harriet Thorpe as Madame Morrible, Andy Mace* as The Wizard, Caroline Keiff as Nessarose, Jeremy Legat as Boq and David Stoller* as Doctor Dillamond. Following the performance at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, the cast, company and VIP guests celebrated at the Park Plaza Victoria.

CLICK HERE to watch the video

CLICK HERE to view photographs

*Desmond Barrit joins WICKED from 7 July 2008. The role is currently being played by Andy Mace and the role of Doctor Dillamond is being played by David Stoller.

Based on Gregory Maguire's best-selling novel that re-imagined the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', the award-winning WICKED tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz and how one came to be called 'good' and the other 'wicked'.

WICKED has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman, musical staging by Wayne Cilento and is directed by Joe Mantello. It is based on the novel, Wicked - The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire. ]]> 13wkd Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=13wkd ALEXIA KHADIME AND OLIVER TOMPSETT AT WEST END LIVE http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/R0K3ifmI5C0/readnews.asp

Don't miss Alexia Khadime (Elphaba) and Oliver Tompsett (Fiyero) with an exclusive public performance of 'As Long As You're Mine' from WICKED at West End Live this Saturday 21 June at 11.30am. Please note timings may vary slightly on the day. West End Live is a spectacular event in London's Leicester Square on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June that is free for all the family. For more information, visit: www.westendlive.co.uk

WICKED, the award-winning, record-breaking hit musical, recently celebrated its 700th performance and has now been seen by over 1,300,000 theatregoers since its London premiere in September 2006, taking over £49 million at the Box Office in just 20 months. Tickets are currently on sale until Saturday 4 April 2009.

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

Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk ]]> 12wkd Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=12wkd KERRY ELLIS: WICKED IN ROCK http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/tzjUjKf9H1I/readnews.asp

Kerry Ellis, the first British actress to play Elphaba in the smash hit musical WICKED at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, has just released a 3 track CD called 'Wicked In Rock' ahead of a full debut album coming later this year.

The CD is arranged and produced by Queen's Brian May and features Taylor Hawkins on drums, Brian May on guitar, a 60+ piece orchestra and Kerry Ellis - in spine-tingling form. Officially released on 7 July this taster to the forthcoming album is available to pre-order from DRESS CIRCLE or via Queen Online. The tracks are:

1. Defying Gravity (from WICKED)
2. I'm Not That Girl (from WICKED)
3. No One But You (from WE WILL ROCK YOU)
Order the CD at www.queenonline.com

Kerry Ellis opens tonight (17 June 2008) on Broadway, recreating her award-winning performance as Elphaba in WICKED at the Gershwin Theatre. Kerry Ellis returns to the London production from 1 December 2008.

WICKED, the award-winning, record-breaking hit musical, recently celebrated its 700th performance and has now been seen by over 1,300,000 theatregoers since its London premiere in September 2006, taking over £49 million at the Box Office in just 20 months. Tickets are currently on sale until Saturday 4 April 2009.

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

Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk ]]> 11wkd Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=11wkd FIRST PICTURES AND VIDEO OF NEW CAST IN COSTUME http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/qikq2Gdq5Sw/readnews.asp WICKED, which has just celebrated its 700th performance, welcomed its new company on Monday 9 June 2008.

WICKED stars Alexia Khadime as Elphaba, Dianne Pilkington as Glinda, Oliver Tompsett as Fiyero, Harriet Thorpe as Madame Morrible, Desmond Barrit* as The Wizard, Caroline Keiff as Nessarose, Jeremy Legat as Boq and Andy Mace* as Doctor Dillamond.

Ashleigh Gray will be Standby Elphaba and Sarah Earnshaw will be Standby Glinda.

SEE PICTURES FROM THE SHOW
SEE VIDEO FOOTAGE OF OUR RECENT PHOTOSHOOT PLUS INTERVIEWS

WICKED said goodbye to various cast members, and broke its own Box Office record for highest grossing single performance (with a gross of £113,780) on Saturday evening 7 June 2008. Nigel Planer (The Wizard), James Gillan (Boq) and Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose) all played their final performances on that day. Cassidy Janson (Standby Elphaba) also departed on the same date.

Kerry Ellis (Elphaba) temporarily left the London production on Saturday 7 June 2008 - to recreate her role on Broadway - returning from Monday 1 December 2008.

*Following a minor operation, Desmond Barrit's official start date of 9 June has been temporarily delayed. He has been advised to take further rest and until he is fully recovered the role of The Wizard will be played by Andy Mace. ]]> 10wkd Mon, 9 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=10wkd WIZARDLY WONDERFUL WINNERS http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/dhWf_OJx78c/readnews.asp WICKED you all truly are - the judges had a really hard time picking their favourites.

'Congratulotions' to our 10 winners of an exclusive WICKED FANatics Certificate signed by a member of the Cast.

Jamie Kenny - Ireland
Lisa Tran - Wood Green, London
Stacey Garey - Wanstead, London
Steven Lenton - London
Nicola Barney - Alderley Edge, Chesshire
Nicola Jones - Edenbridge, Kent
Abbie Murray - London
Abigail Hearn - West Sussex
Elizabeth Parker - Peterborough, Cambs
Elizabeth Hall - Hoddesdon

CHECK OUT THE WINNING ENTRIES

Do keep on submitting your entries as we'll announce more winners soon. Keep an eye on the gallery as we may just have uploaded your entry, even if you weren't a winner this time. ]]> 9wkd Mon, 9 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=9wkd NEW WICKED CAST BEGINS MONDAY 9 JUNE http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/HiyUzIAVRjE/readnews.asp WICKED at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre, which has just celebrated its 700th performance, welcomes its new company from Monday 9 June 2008:

Alexia Khadime as Elphaba, Dianne Pilkington as Glinda, Oliver Tompsett as Fiyero, Harriet Thorpe as Madame Morrible, Desmond Barrit as The Wizard, Caroline Keiff as Nessarose, Jeremy Legat as Boq and Andy Mace as Doctor Dillamond. Ashleigh Gray will be Standby Elphaba and Sarah Earnshaw will be Standby Glinda. The ensemble are: Cindy Belliot, Matthew Boulton, Sabrina Carter, Nadine Cox, Matthew Croke, Aileen Donohoe, A. C. Garcia, Kady-Jo Jackson, Keeley Jane Jackson, Alex Jessop, Richard Kent, Aimee Lewis, Pippa Lloyd, Mitchell Mahony, Rachel Muldoon, Adam Murray, Sean Parkins, Jake Samuels, David Stoller, Liam Connor Tamne, Chloe Taylor, Lindsay Taylor, Emily Tierney, Hannah Toy, George Ure and Gary Wood. Please note: Kerry Ellis will return from Broadway to play Elphaba from Monday 1 December 2008.

*Following a minor operation, Desmond Barrit's official start date of 9 June has been temporarily delayed. He has been advised to take further rest and, until he is fully recovered, the role of The Wizard will be played by Andy Mace.

The award-winning, smash hit musical has now been seen by over 1.3 million theatregoers since its London premiere in September 2006, taking over £49 million at the Box Office in just 20 months. The production recouped in January 2008. Tickets are currently on sale until Saturday 4 April 2009.

Based on Gregory Maguire's best-selling novel that re-imagined the stories and characters created by L.Frank Baum in 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', the award - winning WICKED tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz and how one came to be called 'good' and the other 'wicked'...

WICKED has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman, musical staging by Wayne Cilento and is directed by Joe Mantello. It is based on the novel, WICKED - The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire. ]]> 8wkd Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=8wkd NEW PRINCIPAL CAST CONFIRMED FOR WICKED http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WickedHeadlines/~3/pDNQ4zGWLNY/readnews.asp WICKED at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre, currently out-selling every other West End show at the Box Office, is pleased to confirm its new principal cast: From Monday 9 June 2008, WICKED will star Alexia Khadime as Elphaba, Dianne Pilkington as Glinda, Oliver Tompsett as Fiyero, Harriet Thorpe as Madame Morrible, Desmond Barrit as The Wizard, Caroline Keiff as Nessarose, Jeremy Legat as Boq and Andy Mace as Doctor Dillamond. Ashleigh Gray will be Standby Elphaba and Sarah Earnshaw will be Standby Glinda. Please note: Kerry Ellis will return to play Elphaba from Monday 1 December 2008.

Current cast members Dianne Pilkington (Glinda), Oliver Tompsett (Fiyero), Andy Mace (Doctor Dillamond) and Sarah Earnshaw (Standby Glinda) have all extended their contracts and continue in their starring roles. Original cast member Caroline Keiff takes over the role of Nessarose and current cast member Ashleigh Gray becomes Standby Elphaba from Monday 9 June 2008.

Joining the cast from Monday 9 June 2008 are Alexia Khadime as Elphaba, Desmond Barrit as The Wizard and Jeremy Legat as Boq. Harriet Thorpe joins the company from Monday 14 April 2008 as Madame Morrible. Nigel Planer (The Wizard), James Gillan (Boq) and Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose) will play their final performances on Saturday 7 June 2008. Cassidy Janson (Standby Elphaba) also departs the musical on the same date. Kerry Ellis (Elphaba) will temporarily leave the London production on Saturday 7 June 2008 to recreate her role on Broadway, returning from Monday 1 December 2008.

The award-winning, record-breaking hit musical will shortly celebrate its 650th performance and has now been seen by over 1.2 million theatregoers since its London premiere in September 2006. Tickets are currently on sale until Saturday 4 April 2009.

WICKED has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman, musical staging by Wayne Cilento and is directed by Joe Mantello. It is based on the novel, Wicked - The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire. ]]> 7wkd Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/readnews.asp?id=7wkd