REVIEW: Wicked the Musical at the Apollo Victoria Theatre

It is not often you find someone unfamiliar with the story of Wicked, but as I took my seat in the middle of the stalls in Row H, I was greeted by a lovely couple who had travelled down from Durham to see the show. They told me their daughter lived locally to the Apollo Victoria Theatre and had insisted that while they were visiting her, 'Wicked' was the show to see, but they had no idea what they were in for. "Is this a musical or a play?" they asked... I proceeded to tell them this was not my first visit to the musical, and that I had previously seen Emma Hatton (Elphaba) when she was stand-by for the role back in April 2014, and that even when she was so new to the show, she blew me away. I assured them they were in for a real treat, and I was absolutely right. 

WILLEMIJN VERKAIK to play one-off solo concert at the Ambassadors Theatre

Dutch vocal powerhouse Willemijn Verkaik will play a one-off solo concert at the Ambassadors Theatre on Tuesday 25 August 2015.

Accompanied by a live band and joined by some to-be-announced special guests, Willemijn will take a journey through some of the greatest classic and contemporary musicals of all time, as well as celebrating some of the iconic songs that have defined her career so far.

Photo Feature: WICKED star, Jennifer DiNoia, prepares to step into the role of Elphaba

WICKED, the award-winning musical that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is pleased to release the first pictures of Jennifer DiNoia as she prepares for her West End debut on Monday.

Jennifer DiNoia has enjoyed a remarkable eight year association with Wicked in North America and internationally, She joins the West End production for a strictly limited 14 week engagement asElphaba from Monday 27 October 2014 to Saturday 31 January 2015 at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre.

From Monday 27 October 2014, Wicked stars: Jennifer DiNoia* (Elphaba**), Savannah Stevenson (Glinda), Jeremy Taylor (Fiyero), Liza Sadovy (Madame Morrible), Martyn Ellis (The Wizard), Philip Childs (Doctor Dillamond), Sam Lupton (Boq), Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose),Emma Hatton (Standby Elphaba) and Sophie Linder-Lee (Standby Glinda).

EMMA HATTON to star as Elphaba in London production of WICKED from Monday 2nd February 2015

WICKED, the smash hit musical that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is proud to announce that Emma Hatton will star as Elphaba from Monday 2 February 2015 at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre.

Currently the Standby Elphaba, Emma Hatton will replace international Wicked star Jennifer DiNoia, who is soon to play a special limited engagement as Elphaba from 27 October 2014 to 31 January 2015. Current star Kerry Ellis plays her final performance as Elphaba on Saturday 25 October 2014. Savannah Stevenson continues throughout in her acclaimed starring role as Glinda.

JENNIFER DINOIA will play Elphaba from 27 October 2015 in London production of WICKED

WICKED, the smash hit musical that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is proud to announce that Jennifer DiNoia, who has enjoyed a remarkable eight year association with the show in North America and internationally, will join the West End production for a strictly limited 14 week engagement as Elphaba from Monday 27 October 2014 to Saturday 31 January 2015 at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre. 

From Monday 27 October 2014, WICKED will star: Jennifer DiNoia* (Elphaba), Savannah Stevenson (Glinda), Jeremy Taylor(Fiyero), Martyn Ellis (The Wizard), Liza Sadovy (Madame Morrible), Philip Childs (Doctor Dillamond), Katie Rowley Jones(Nessarose), Sam Lupton (Boq), Emma Hatton (Standby Elphaba), Sophie Linder-Lee (Standby Glinda), Chloe Ames, Kyle Anthony,Lee Bridgman, Lucyelle Cliffe, Nicholas Collier, Chris Cowley, Maria Coyne, Matthew Croke, Jeanine Dinger, Laura Emmitt,Kerry Enright, Joseph Fletcher, Rosie Fletcher, Sheila Grant, Daniel Hope, Lauren James Ray, Jasmine Kerr, Natalie McQueen,Oliver Metzler, Scott Monello, Rachel Muldoon, Sam Salter, Joe Toland, Hannah Toy, Russell Walker and Liam Wrate. *From 27 October 2014 to 31 January 2015 only.

WICKED has extended booking at the Apollo Victoria until 7 November 2015

Wicked has extended booking at the Apollo Victoria until 7 November 2015, taking the Award-winning show into its ninth year in the West End.

The new booking period opens on 8 September 2014, with 500,000 new tickets going on sale.

Around the world, Wicked - a musical prequel to The Wizard of Oz - has now been seen by 42 million people in 13 countries. It is now the West End's tenth longest running show.

A UK touring production is playing until the summer of 2015, opening at the Liverpool Empire on 16 September for a four-week run.

NIKKI DAVIS JONES pulls out of WICKED tour and will no longer transfer to West End production

Nikki Davis-Jones, who has been starring in the UK Tour of Wicked, has had to withdraw from the production with immediate effect and will not now take over the role of Elphaba in the West End from 27 October 2014 as previously announced.

Jemma Alexander will play Elphaba for the remainder of the engagement at the Birmingham Hippodrome. Ashleigh Gray takes over the role, as previously announced, from 16 September 2014 at the Liverpool Empire and for the remainder of the UK Tour. A further casting announcement will be made about the London production in due course.

FIRST LOOK: New cast join the UK tour of WICKED the Musical

WICKED, the global musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, have a new cast starting from 16th September; that includes Ashleigh Gray (Elphaba), Samuel Edwards (Fiyero), Steven Pinder (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond), Richard Vincent (Boq) and Jacqueline Hughes (Standby Elphaba) will join the record-breaking UK Tour from Tuesday 16 September 2014 at Liverpool Empire Theatre. 

Emily Tierney (Glinda), Marilyn Cutts (Madame Morrible) and Carina Gillespie (Nessarose) all continue in their current starring roles. 

The tour is currently at  Birmingham Hippodrome (9 July to 6 September 2014). It will then tour to Liverpool Empire Theatre (16 September to 11 October 2014); Southampton Mayflower Theatre (21 October to 15 November 2014); Edinburgh Playhouse (19 November 2014 to 10 January 2015); Plymouth Theatre Royal (20 January to 14 February 2015); Bristol Hippodrome (18 February to 21 March 2015);Sunderland Empire Theatre (31 March to 25 April 2015); Aberdeen His Majesty's Theatre (5 to 30 May 2015) and concludes at The Lowry in Salford (3 June to 25 July 2015). Tickets are now on sale at all venues and can be booked via www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

WICKED becomes 14th longest-running musical in the West End

The London production of Wicked, now running at the Apollo Victoria, has just set a new record, overtaking the 1985 revival of Me and My Girl to become the 14th longest-running musical in West End history. Me and My Girl previously held the position with a run of 3,303 performances during its run from 1985 to 1993.

Wicked also currently holds the 10th position in the list of the longest-running shows currently playing in the West End.

The full list of the Top 20 longest-running musicals in West End history, with their length of run, follows:

FIRST LOOK: Kerry Ellis returns to the London Production of WICKED

Kerry Ellis returns to the London production of WICKED after 5 years, she olds the title of not only the original Elphaba but the only British performer to transfer from the London production to Broadway. She comes in as a replacement to Willemijn Verkaik after she departed the production in order to have surgery to address an ongoing back condition.

Full cast announced for WICKED UK tour from September 16

WICKED, the global musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is pleased to announce that Ashleigh Gray (Elphaba), Emily Tierney (Glinda), Samuel Edwards (Fiyero), Marilyn Cutts (Madame Morrible), Steven Pinder (The Wizard andDoctor Dillamond), Carina Gillespie (Nessarose), Richard Vincent (Boq), Jacqueline Hughes (Standby Elphaba), Joe Atkinson, Joshua Berg, Chrissy Brooke, Ben Carruthers, Harrison Clark, Lauren Ellis-Steele, Oliver Evans, Victoria Farley, Natasha Ferguson, Zoë George, Natalie Green, Will Knights, Sophie Leigh-Griffin, Candy Marriot, Tom Mather, Brian McCann, Ashley Morgan-Davies, Stephanie Powell, Wendy-Lee Purdy, Elisha Sherman, Grant Thresh, Hannah Veerapen and Danny Whiteheadwill star in the record-breaking UK Tour from Tuesday 16 September 2014 at Liverpool Empire Theatre. 

The tour is currently at Birmingham Hippodrome (until 6 September 2014) and continues to Liverpool Empire Theatre (16 September to 11 October 2014); Southampton Mayflower Theatre (21 October to 15 November 2014); Edinburgh Playhouse (19 November 2014 to 10 January 2015); Plymouth Theatre Royal (20 January to 14 February 2015); Bristol Hippodrome (18 February to 21 March 2015); Sunderland Empire Theatre (31 March to 25 April 2015); Aberdeen His Majesty's Theatre (5 to 30 May 2015) and concludes at The Lowry in Salford (3 June to 25 July 2015). Tickets are now on sale at all venues and can be booked via www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk 

Willemijn Verkaik to leave WICKED on the 19th July 2014, Kerry Ellis to return

Willemijn Verkaik will play her final performance as Elphaba this Saturday 19 July 2014 at 7.30pm, as she departs the production in order to have surgery to address an ongoing back condition. Kerry Ellis, who will recreate her celebrated performance from Monday 4 August until Saturday 25 October 2014*. 

Willemijn said: “To be given the chance to play Elphaba in four different countries is something I am incredibly grateful for. Now I have to cut my West End run short and it’s absolutely devastating to me. I’ve been fighting this injury for a few months but was determined not to let anything get in the way of my West End debut and certainly not wanting to disappoint the audiences. But I have to face the facts. I thank producers David Stone and Michael McCabe and our General Managers, Playful Productions, the cast and crew and all of you so much for all your support in this difficult time. I promise I’ll be back on stage soon, in better shape than ever!”

Nikki Davis Jones will take over as Elphaba in WICKED London, further casting announced

WICKED, the award-winning musical that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is proud to announce that Nikki Davis-Jones, who is currently winning rave reviews for her performance as Elphaba in the record-breaking UK tour of Wicked, will join the London production from Monday 27 October 2014. Also joining the cast are Liza Sadovy (Madame Morrible) and Philip Childs(Doctor Dillamond). 

Willemijn Verkaik (Elphaba), Sue Kelvin (Madame Morrible) and Paul Clarkson (Doctor Dillamond) will all play their final performances on Saturday 25 October 2014. 

Savannah Stevenson (Glinda), Jeremy Taylor (Fiyero), Martyn Ellis (The Wizard), Sam Lupton (Boq), Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose), Emma Hatton (Standby Elphaba) and Sophie Linder-Lee (Standby Glinda) all continue in their roles. 

WICKED UK tour announces new cast, Ashleigh Gray will star as Elphaba

WICKED, the global musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is pleased to announce that Ashleigh Gray (Elphaba), Samuel Edwards (Fiyero), Steven Pinder (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond), Richard Vincent (Boq) and Jacqueline Hughes (Standby Elphaba) will join the record-breaking UK Tour from Tuesday 16 September 2014 at Liverpool Empire Theatre. 

Current cast members Nikki Davis-Jones (Elphaba), Liam Doyle (Fiyero),Dale Rapley (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond), George Ure (Boq) andJemma Alexander (Standby Elphaba) will all play their final performances on Saturday 6 September 2014 at Birmingham Hippodrome. Nikki Davis-Jones will join the London production from Monday 27 October 2014. 

Emily Tierney (Glinda), Marilyn Cutts (Madame Morrible) and Carina Gillespie (Nessarose) all continue in their current starring roles. 

Kerry Ellis | Interview

Kerry Ellis is about to return to the role of Mimi in the 20th Anniversary Concert tour of RENT, her other credits include Elphaba in Wicked (Apollo Victoria, London and on Broadway), Nancy in Oliver! (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), Fantine in Les Miserables (Queens Theatre), Ellen in Miss Saigon (UK Tour), My Fair Lady (National Theatre and Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Merry We Roll Along (Yvonne Aenaud Theatre), Magic of the Musicals (UK Tour), Svetlana Sergievsky in Chess In Concert (Royal Albert Hall), Godspell (Palace Theatre, Mancester), Children of Eden (Prince of Wales Theatre), West End Men (Vaudeville Theatre) and Beth in The War of the Worlds - The New Generation (UK Tour). Some of her solo concerts include Kerry Ellis Sings the Great British Songbook (Shaw Theatre), Anthems (Royal Albert Hall and UK Tour), An Audience with Kerry Ellis (Shaw Theatre), The Born Free Tour (UK Tour) and Kerry Ellis in Concert (London Palladium). She has released three solo recordings; Wicked in Rock (2008), Anthems (2010) and Acoustic by Candlelight (2013). I caught up with her to talk about her appearance in RENT and her career… 

When did you realise you wanted to be a performer for a living? 

There was never a question, I was always going to perform.

My Top 10 Theatre picks of 2013!

So now is the time everyone starts to reflect on the year that is about to end, personally 2013 has been a very good year for me and I am very grateful for the lessons I've learnt and the things I have achieved this year. With the new year about to start and this blogs first anniversary just around the corner I've decided to look back on my top 10 Theatre moments I have witnessed over the past 12 months. So with out further ado, here we go! 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

   Photo by Helen Maybanks

I saw the show twice this year and if you're a regular reader of this blog you may remember me saying that they're faults with the show, I'm not retracting what I have said in my review by all means but I think the scale of the show deserves recognition. It is a good show and definitely the best family show of 2013 and most likely 2014! Click here to read my review.

Eden Espinosa | Interview

Eden is best known for her portrayal of the Green Witch Elphaba in the smash hit musical, WICKED. She performed the role to critical acclaim on Broadway, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Her other musical theatre credits include originating title role in Brooklyn the Musical on Broadway, Maureen in the closing cast of RENT on Broadway (this was also filmed and is available on DVD and Blu-Ray), the title role in Flora the Red Menace and the Fairy godmother in Cinderella alongside Alli Mauzey. Her television credits include Law & Order, Robot Chicken, Dog Whisperer, Titan Maximum, Ugly Betty, The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and the 2008 Tony Awards. Eden made her solo concert debut in Los Angeles with her show 'ME' in December 2008.  She then took the show to New York where she performed to sold out audiences at Joe’s Pub.  She then brought the show back to Los Angeles and performed to a sold out audience at the Ford Amphitheatre, with special guest, Grammy Award-winning and Decca recording artist Paula Cole.  In 2010, her show “From Eden With Love” was performed to sold out crowds in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Eden released a solo album in late 2012 entitled 'Look Around' which is available for purchase here. 

Growing up, what was the thing that made you want a career in musical theatre?

Growing up I always loved musicals. But it really wasn’t until I reached high school and met so many kids my age that loved to sing and act like me.  It was around the age of 15 and a whole new world was opened up to me.  So many musicals I never knew, the dream of being on Broadway, living in New York City.  That’s when a spark ignited the flame.

Wicked: New Cast Pictures Released

Wicked the musical, who have just celebrated their 3000th performance, changes cast tonight. The new cast includes Willemijn Verkaik (Elphaba), Savannah Stevenson (Glinda), Jeremy Taylor (Fiyero), Sue Kelvin (Madame Morrible), Sam Kelly (The Wizard), Paul Clarkson (Doctor Dillamond); Sam Lupton (Boq), Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose), Emma Hatton (Standby Elphaba), Sophie Linder-Lee (Standby Glinda), Florence Andrews, Kyle Anthony, William Bozier, Oliver Brenin, Lauren Brooke, Philippa Buxton, Philip Catchpole, Aisling Duffy, Samuel Edwards, Kerry Enright, Michelle Francis, Jacqueline Hughes, Melissa Jacques, Marc McBride, Stacey McGuire, Natalie McQueen, Greg Miller Burns, Tom Muggeridge, Rachel Muldoon, Sean Parkins, Charlie Stemp, Lauren Stroud, Lindsay Taylor,Justin Thomas, Hannah Toy, Matt Turner, Russell Walker and Jenny Wickham.

Ashleigh Gray | Interview

Graduating from Guildford School of Acting in 2003, Ashleigh made her professional debut as Kim in the UK national Tour of Taboo before making her West End debut in the London Company of WICKED at at the Apollo Victoria Theatre where she was in the ensemble and understudied Elphaba. She was soon promoted to Stand-By Elphaba the year after joining the company, she left in 2010. Her other credits include Notes from New York, Kirsty in Only You Can Save Mankind, NHS the Musical, Miss Lynch and cover Rizzo and Jan in Grease, Emily in Myths and Hymns, Simply the Music of Scott Alan, Maid Marion in Robin Hood, The Songs of Bobby Cronin, Unwritten Songs; The songs of Michael Bruce, First Things Last; The Music of Lance Horne, Miranda in Betwixt!, Diva’s Sing Scott Alan, Wicked Witch in Mother Goose, Amanda in After The Turn, Lorraine Campbell in I Dreamed a Dream, Fairy Firefly in Jack and the Beanstalk, West End Men and Supporting Susan Boyle in concert. She can also be heard on The Journey Home by Mark Evans, Surrounded By The Sounds by Tim Prottey Jones, Acoustic Overtures; The songs of Dougal Irvine, Stand Tall; A New Rock Musical, Unwritten songs; The Songs of Michael Bruce, Christmas in New York and Sentimental Heart by Oliver Tompsett. She will be featured in Momentous Musicals alongside Gareth Gates, Rachael Wooding and John Owen-Jones which starts its short UK Tour from the 17th July. 

How did you get into performing arts?

I always loved singing as a child. As far back as I can remember there's always been music around me and even though no one else in my family sang or played, I found myself singing along and creating little dance routines to songs at any given chance. So I guess I was always destined to grow up to be a performer. My family were, and continue to be, very support of my love of music and performance so they willingly allowed me to join the local amateur dramatic group and also encouraged me to follow my dreams and go to drama school. The rest, as they say, is history.

Olivier Awards: Full Short List of nominations

BEST ACTOR

James McAvoy for Macbeth at the Trafalgar Studios
Luke Treadaway for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at the NT Cottesloe & the Apollo
Mark Rylance for Twelfth Night at Shakespeare's Globe & the Apollo
Rafe Spall for Constellations at the Royal Court & the Duke of York's
Rupert Everett for The Judas Kiss at Hampstead & the Duke of York's

BEST ACTRESS
Billie Piper for The Effect at the NT Cottesloe
Hattie Morahan for A Doll’s House at the Young Vic
Helen Mirren for The Audience at the Gielgud
Kristin Scott Thomas for Old Times at the Harold Pinter