One of the West End’s most popular musicals, Wicked, is celebrating its 20th anniversary in London this month, adding yet another milestone to the musical that’s won over 100 global awards.
It’s now the ninth longest-running show in West End history and the only shows still running that are ahead of it are The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, Phantom Of The Opera, Les Misérables and, of course, the longest-running play in the world The Mousetrap
What is Wicked about?
Wicked is a reimagining of The Wizard Of Oz, showing the origins of Elphaba, the Wicked West of the West and Glinda the Good. After crossing paths at school, the two build an unlikely but profound friendship until an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard sets them on very different paths with each other.
Why should I see Wicked?
The story of Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship has resonated with audiences worldwide. Even more than that, it takes a story that we all think we know and asks us to reexamine it from another point of view. With deeper questions at play including power, prejudice and the struggle between popularity and holding onto your principles, the musical has become relevant in a new way in recent years.
As well as the story, the musical won over audiences with a litany of hit songs, including Defying Gravity, Popular and For Good, which was used as the title for the second part of the Hollywood film adaptation, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
How can I see Wicked?
You can book to see Wicked live and in full at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, where the show is performed eight times a week. The 20th anniversary will be celebrated on the weekend of 26 September, but the show is booking until 30 May 2027 so no matter when you can see it, you’re still guaranteed a wicked time.
If you want to see Wicked as a present, you could ask someone to buy you a Wicked Theatre Token gift card, so you can see the show and then keep this exclusive card as a memento.
Or you can get your friends and family to band together and group gift you a Theatre Token e-gift so you can enjoy the best seat in the house.
And if you’re into collecting Wicked memorabilia, don’t miss out on our double edition of the London Theatre Guide. The LTG is released every fortnight, with a guide to all of the shows that are on in the West End. To celebrate the landmark 20th birthday of Wicked, for the first time ever we’ve created two different versions of the LTG with a different inside double spread, one for Elphaba and one for Glinda. Keep an eye out for both green and pink editions, on stands until 4 October.
Wicked through the years
Official London Theatre has been alongside Wicked for its 20 year journey, which means we have seen the musical grow and grow, plus we have tonnes of exclusive content you can enjoy. Below is a collection of highlights from our YouTube channel, including backstage interviews with the cast and creative over the years, facts about the show and, of course, West End LIVE performances throughout the years.
In 2017, original Broadway Glinda Kristen Chenoweth met with then-West End Glinda Sophie Evans.
In 2019, we took an in-depth look at the stage craft that goes into putting on a show like Wicked. Joanna Smedley, Head of Wigs, Hair & Make-up, gave us a backstage tour of Wicked.
For a quicker look at what goes into the show, this two minute countdown to curtain-up gives you a round-up of facts and trivia about the producition that encompasses what goes in to every performance.
During lockdown, Official London Theatre kept theatre going with our Behind The Curtain series. Our second episode featured Wicked, with the West End’s Laura Pick having conversation with Stephen Schwartz, who wrote the music and lyrics, and Winnie Holzman who wrote the show’s book.
While the show was on hiatus, we also organised for 23 performers who have played Elphaba and Glinda for a unique, remote performance of For Good which you can watch here.
In 2018 we organised an intimate concert performance with the two leads, Alice Fearn and Sophie Evans, as part of our Theatre Lounge Live! series, with the show’s Wizard Mark Curry on hand to interview the two witches.
As a mainstay of London theatre, Wicked is a regular fixture at West End LIVE. You can watch a supercuts of both Elphaba and Glinda through the years over on our YouTube shorts, or watch full performances.
Wicked has also been a feature of the Olivier Awards. 12 years ago, Dutch performer Willemijn Verkaik, who has played Elphaba in three languages, performed Defying Gravity from the roof top of the Covent Garden piazza as part of the 2014 Olivier Awards.
Earlier this year, the current cast kicked off their 20th anniversary celebrations by closing the 50th anniversary of the Olivier Awards, which you can watch in full on iPlayer.
What are you waiting for?
If you’re still reading this, then what are you waiting for? You clearly love Wicked so whether it’s the first time or 20th time, book now and take a trip to Oz.
