Timeline History of Wicked in London

Based on the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire (itself based on the 1939 Wizard of Oz movie and L. Frank Baum’s 1900s book series), Wicked on Broadway officially opened at the Gershwin Theatre, following tryouts in San Francisco. Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, who originated the roles of Glinda and Elphaba, stayed with the show. 

Wicked was nominated for 10 Tonys at the 58th annual awards. It won three, including Best Actress for Idina Menzel and Scenic and Costume Design awards, but lost the Best Musical trophy to Avenue Q – an unexpected defeat that shocked the musical theatre community.

The West End production officially opened at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, following previews on 7 September. Idina Menzel reprised her role as Elphaba for a strictly limited engagement, opposite Helen Dallimore as the first British Glinda. The cast also featured National Treasure Miriam Margolyes as Madame Morrible!

Idina Menzel hung up her broom, and Kerry Ellis stepped into the role in the London production, becoming the first British actress to play Elphaba.

The show was nominated for five Olivier Awards, but sadly didn’t take home any wins. However, Wicked remained as “Popular” with London audiences as ever, and later won two audience-voted Olivier Awards in 2010 and 2015. The show remains one of the most internationally awarded musicals.

Louise Dearman made history with her return to the London show, as the first (and to date, only) actor to play both Glinda and Elphaba in the production full-time. Dearman originally performed the role of Glinda from 2010-2011, later returning to replace Rachel Tucker as Elphaba in 2012.

Wicked’s first UK and Ireland tour opened at the Palace Theatre, Manchester. It visited 15 venues across the UK and ran until 25 July 2015, breaking multiple records, ending back in the North West at the Lowry, Salford. Two more UK and Ireland tours followed in 2018 and 2023.

The original Broadway production officially surpassed 1 billion dollars in box office sales at the Gershwin Theatre – even the Wizard himself isn’t that wealthy!

The London production celebrated ten years of magic! To mark the show’s 10th anniversary, extensive refurbishments were made to the Apollo Victoria Theatre, plus a special gala performance was staged featuring an anniversary cast.

Broadway and West End performances were temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both resuming in September 2021. Ahead of the Broadway production’s first show back, Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the role of Glinda, made a moving speech pre-curtain. 

The London production celebrated its 15th anniversary, having been seen by over 10 million theatregoers. The milestone was celebrated with a special event featuring former cast members and attended by composer Stephen Schwartz.  

Part one of the long-anticipated film adaptation opened, starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, with OGs Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth making cameos as citizens of Oz. It was the highest-grossing movie of 2024 and earned ten nominations at the 97th Academy Awards.

Wicked became the ninth longest-running show in West End history, marking 7407 performances at the matinee on this date. It also became the longest-running show housed at the Apollo Victoria, surpassing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express, which previously held the title.

The second part of the movie adaptation opened. Both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande later went on to perform in the West End – with Erivo tackling all roles in a one-woman production of Dracula in 2026, and Grande sharing the stage with her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in the 2027 revival of Sunday in the Park with George. 

Audiences in London rejoicify as the show celebrates 20 years on stage in the West End with plenty of pomp and celebration!