<p>The book for <em>Wicked</em> <span style="color:#000000">was written by <strong>Winnie Holzman </strong>and is based on <strong>Gregory Maguire</strong>'s 1995 bestseller, <em>Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West</em>. The musical features music and lyrics by three-time Grammy and Academy Award winner <strong>Stephen Schwartz</strong>, a prominent musical theatre composer and lyricist who is also known for scoring such feature-length animated films as <em>The Prince of Egypt</em> (1998), <em>The Hunchback of Notre Dame</em> (1996), and <em>Pocahontas</em> (1995).</span></p>
<br/> Where is Wicked The Musical playing in London?<p><span style="color:#000000"><em>Wicked</em> is playing in London at the <a href="https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/85/apollo-victoria-theatre.aspx"><strong>Apollo Victoria Theatre</strong></a>. The venue is located near Victoria Station at 17 Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LG, UK.</span></p>
<br/> What's Wicked The Musical about?<p><span style="color:#000000">Wicked is a prequel, midquel and sequel to the 1939 film <em>The </em><em>Wizard of Oz</em> all in one and begins before Dorothy arrives by tornado with her faithful dog Toto to the Land of Oz. Packed with a kaleidoscope of spell-binding surprises, shocks, and <a href="https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/wicked-songs"><strong>spectacular musical numbers,</strong></a> <em>Wicked</em> follows our famed green protagonist Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) as she attends Shiz University. She forms an unlikely friendship with Glinda (the Good Witch), who takes her under her wing and shows her the ropes on how to be popular. But soon Elphaba and Glinda's friendship is in tatters when they react differently to the news that the Wizard's corrupt government is attempting to remove speech from animals; forcing Elphaba to go into hiding. </span></p>
<br/> How is Wicked The Musical different to the book?<p><span style="color:#000000"><em>Wicked The Musical</em> is lighter in tone and focuses on feel-good energy and positivity. The original source material, on the other hand, is not so fun or forgiving. As a matter of fact, many find <strong>Gregory Maguire</strong>'s<em> Wicked: Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West</em> to be relentlessly dark and depressing. The book explores issues not found in the musical, including Elphaba's terrible childhood, and kills off <a href="https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/wicked-characters"><strong>many characters</strong></a> in order to drive home the fact that Oz has an incredibly corrupt government.</span></p>
<br/> How long is Wicked The Musical, London?<p><span style="color:#000000">London's <em>Wicked</em> musical running time is <strong>about 2 hours and 45 minutes </strong>including an interval.</span></p>
<br/> Will there be a Wicked musical movie?<p>The <em>Wicked</em> movie has received the emerald green light from Universal Pictures and is being released in two parts. <em>Wicked: Part One</em> is out now (released 22 November 2024), with <em>Wicked: Part Two</em> set to follow on 26 November 2025. Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the long-awaited adaptation brings the beloved musical to the big screen. Check out our <a href="https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/wicked-main-differences-west-end-film"><strong>differences between the film and musical</strong></a> article. </p>
<br/> When did Wicked musical come out?<p><span style="color:#000000"><em>Wicked </em>received its world premiere at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco on 28 May 2003. After its tryout run in California, the musical transferred to New York and made its Broadway premiere in October 2003 at the Gershwin Theatre. Following a North American tour in 2005, Wicked crossed the pond to the UK and opened for previews in the West End on 7 September 2006 at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it has been running ever since. The official London premiere of <em>Wicked</em> took place on 27 September 2006.</span></p>
<br/> Who starred in the Wicked musical original London cast?<p><span style="color:#000000">The West End premiere production of <em>Wicked</em><strong><em> </em></strong>featured musical theatre sensation <strong>Idina Menzel</strong> (</span><a href="https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/3868/frozen-the-musical-tickets.aspx"><span style="color:#000000"><strong><em>Frozen</em></strong></span></a><span style="color:#000000">, <em>Rent</em>), who reprised her role as Elphaba from the original Broadway run. Other original London cast members included <strong>Adam Garcia </strong>as Fiyero, <strong>Helen Dallimore </strong>as Glinda,<strong> James Gillan</strong> as Boq, <strong>Katie Rowley Jones</strong> as Nessarose, <strong>Martin Ball </strong>as Doctor Dillamond, <strong>Miriam Margolyes </strong>as Madame Morrible, and <strong>Nigel Planer</strong> as the Wizard.</span></p>
<br/> What are all the Wicked musical songs?<p><span style="color:#000000">The complete <em>Wicked</em> musical song list includes the Act I songs "No One Mourns The Wicked", "Dear Old Shiz", "The Wizard and I", "What Is This Feeling?", "Something Bad", "Dancing Through Life", "Popular", "I'm Not That Girl", "One Short Day", "A Sentimental Man", and "Defying Gravity" and the Act II songs "Thank Goodness", "The Wicked Witch Of The East", "Wonderful", "I'm Not That Girl (reprise)", "As Long As You're Mine", "No Good Deed", "March Of The Witch Hunters", "For Good", and "Finale."</span></p>
<br/> Where can I get the best Wicked musical London tickets?<p><span style="color:#000000"><em>Wicked</em> musical Apollo Victoria Theatre tickets can be purchased through London Theatre Direct using our safe and secure booking system. Cheap <em>Wicked</em> tickets are now available from as low as £31.</span></p>
<br/> What are some Wicked musical inspirational quotes?<ul> <li><span style="color:#000000"><strong><u>Food for thought</u>:</strong> “Are people born wicked, or is wickedness trust upon them?”</span></li> <li><span style="color:#000000"><strong><u>To help you cope with the hard times</u>:</strong> “It's just life, so keep dancing through.”</span></li> <li><span style="color:#000000"><strong><u>On materialism</u>: </strong>“I know you don't want to hear this but someone has to say it! You are out of control! I mean they're just shoes... let it go!”</span></li> <li><span style="color:#000000"><strong><u>On following your dreams</u>: </strong>“Some things I cannot change, but 'til I try I'll never know.”</span></li> </ul>
<br/> What is the Wicked musical's age rating?<p><span style="color:#000000"><em>Wicked</em> in London does have an age restriction and is suitable for ages 7 and up only. Children under 5 years of age will NOT be admitted into the theatre and children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian. Babes in arms are not permitted.</span></p>
<br/> Will Wicked ever be released on DVD?<p><span style="color:#000000">There have been rumours of a <em>Wicked</em> musical home video release but so far a DVD, Blu-ray or VOD release date has yet to be confirmed for the musical. The book and musical was adapted for the big screen; part one was released in 2024, with part 2 following in autumn 2025. </span></p>
<br/> Is the Wicked musical scary?<p><span style="color:#000000">While the show does not contain any foul language, sexual references, or violence, <em>Wicked </em>does contain some scary moments, which is why the musical is best suited for children ages 7 and up and children under 5 years of age are not allowed into the auditorium.</span></p>
<br/> What time does Wicked finish in London?<p><span style="color:#000000">London <em>Wicked</em> matinee performances begin at 2.30pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays and finish at about 5.15pm. Evening performances of <em>Wicked</em> at the Apollo Victoria start at 7.30pm and finish at around 10.15pm.</span></p>
<br/> Is Wicked appropriate for a 12 year old?<p>Wicked is recommended for ages 7 and up. Children under 5 will not be allowed entry. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and seated next to them.</p>
<br/> What is the main theme of Wicked the musical?<p>Wicked explores themes of friendship, identity, self-acceptance, independence, unfair assumptions, and government corruption.</p>
<br/> What is the message of Wicked?<p>The message of <em>Wicked</em> is that people are more complex than they appear, and understanding their perspective can challenge assumptions. It also emphasises self-acceptance, the power of friendship, and standing up for what you believe in, even when faced with adversity.</p>
<br/> How long has Wicked been in London?<p><em>Wicked</em> has been captivating audiences in London's West End since September 27, 2006, earning its place as one of the city's longest-running shows.</p>
<br/> How long is Act 2 of Wicked?<p>The second act of <em>Wicked</em> runs for approximately one hour.</p> <h3><span style="background-color:rgb(238, 238, 238)">Book your </span><a href="https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/wicked-tickets"><em><strong>Wicked</strong></em></a><span style="background-color:rgb(238, 238, 238)"> London tickets today.</span></h3>