Busted star Matt Willis and Phantom regular Gina Beck will be sharing the emerald stage this winter when they join the cast of hit musical Wicked.
The Oliver Award-winning production, which will celebrate its fifth birthday later this month, tells the untold story of the witches of Oz, explaining just how two magical school friends, one blond and perky the other green and studious, grew up to become Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Willis will take on the role of the dashing prince Fiyero, taking over from current star Mark Evans. The actor and musician has been making full use of his Sylvia Young Theatre School training since boy band Busted split up in 2005. After embarking on a successful television presenting career, Willis made his West End debut last year in Flashdance at the Shaftesbury theatre.
Beck, who will star as Glinda, made her West End debut in 2006 in Les Misérables before a two year stint starring as Christine Daaé in The Phantom Of The Opera. She is currently starring in The Belle’s Stratagem at the Southwark Playhouse, the first production of Hannah Cowley’s comedy for over a century.
December will also see the return of Royal Shakespeare Company actor Desmond Barrit, who rejoins the cast as the Wizard following a stint in the show in 2008.
Also joining the cast from 12 December are Lillie Flynn (Love Story), Christopher Howell (Hairspray) and Adam Pettigrew (Avenue Q), who will join current starts Rachel Tucker and Julie Legrand.
CM