Emma Hatton will star in Wicked from February 2015, stepping into the coveted shoes of the show’s emerald-skinned witch following her current role as Standby Elphaba.
Hatton, whose other West End credits include We Will Rock You and Dreamboats And Petticoats, will take over the role of Elphaba from 2 February at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, joining Savannah Stevenson as Glinda.
The news comes at an exciting time for Wicked fans, with Kerry Ellis currently playing the role for the third time before American star Jennifer DiNoia takes over for her debut London performance from 27 October to 31 January.
The three leading ladies will each be putting their own spin on the part that offers a new perspective on The Wizard Of Oz’s infamous Wicked Witch of the West.
Based on Gregory Maguire’s successful novel, Wicked imagines the events leading up to Dorothy’s arrival in Oz, focusing on the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda, and how they came to fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Featuring songs including Defying Gravity, Popular and The Wizard And I, the musical is now the 10th longest running show in the West End and is currently booking at the Apollo Victoria Theatre until 7 November 2015.