Wicked's Savannah Stevenson and Emma Hatton at the This Morning Audience Award photoshoot (Photo: Jonathan Hordle/Rex Features)

Oliviers Audience Award: Wicked

First Published 4 March 2015, Last Updated 10 April 2015

What’s it all about?

Friendship, love, growing up and magic with a splash of stunning design and spectacular songs; this colossally successful show truly has it all. Based on Gregory Maguire’s acclaimed novel, the family musical imagines the events that surround the legendary story of Dorothy and her adventures in the technicolour world of Oz.

Forget everything you thought you knew about the infamous Wicked Witch of the West and the flawless Glinda the Good, Wicked boasts more twists and turns than Spaghetti Junction. This musical spins a wondrously magical tale of the monumental – and unexpected – friendship between two very different sorceresses.

Casting coup

Too many to mention. The famously green-skinned Elphaba and the glittery Glinda are two of the most demanding musical roles for women on the West End stage, and an incredible line-up of actresses have met the challenge, from England’s very own Louise Dearman and Kerry Ellis to international stars Willemijn Verkaik – the only Wicked star to have performed the role of Elphaba in more than one language, three in fact – and Frozen’s very own Idina Menzel.

Fascinating fact

The success of Wicked has spread across the world, but wherever you choose to see it you can rest assured that every detail of Elphaba’s iconic make-up will have been completed exactly to Joe Duldude II’s original Broadway design. As the emerald hue varies on different skin tones, every new performer undergoes a shade test to match the green make-up exactly to the green ‘skin’ the performers wear under their costumes. You can find out more about the process of going green in our video feature here.

Olivier Awards history

Wicked is already a proud member of the Olivier Audience Award alumni, triumphing in 2010.

They say…

Wicked fans are incredible. They come back time and time again and they really invest in both the show and us personally. I think that we are very very lucky in that respect and we’re holding on to the fact that that will stand us in good stead this year.” Emma Hatton, Wicked’s current Elphaba

“It’s an amazing award. For West End theatre, this award is what it’s all about. The public, the theatregoers recognising and voting for their favourite show. That’s really special to us.” Savannah Stevenson, Wicked’s current Glinda

We say…

Prepare for a riot of colour, drama, magic and fun in this spellbinding show. Family entertainment at its best, when Elphaba hits that now iconic high note, you’ll feel like you too can Defy Gravity.

 

You can keep up to date with all the Oliviers news in the run-up to the ceremony on 12 April by visiting Official London Theatre or following the Olivier Awards on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Wicked is booking at the Apollo Victoria Theatre until 30 April 2016. You can buy tickets through us here.

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