Preview: Wicked at Sunderland Empire

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WICKED RETURNS TO SUNDERLAND EMPIRE IN JUST 6 WEEKS FOR AN EXCLUSIVE AND FINAL NORTH EAST ENGAGEMENT

Wicked

Sunderland Empire

Tuesday 4^th – Saturday 29^th September 2018

Wicked, the West End and Broadway musical sensation that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, returns to Sunderland Empire in just 6 weeks for an exclusive and final North East engagement from Thursday 6 September for 4 weeks only.

TICKETS ARE SELLING FAST – FOR THE BEST CHOICE OF SEATS & PRICES, 

CHOOSE MON-WED PERFORMANCES FROM 10 SEPTEMBER

“An amazing show that drew massive crowds last time” (Sunderland Echo), Wicked was previously seen by more than 56,000 people during its original engagement at Sunderland Empire in 2015, receiving standing ovations from audiences and rave reviews:

“Something Wicked this way stuns! One of the most exciting musicals of recent times and the ultimate Broadway experience for theatre audiences all over the UK.” THE NORTHERN ECHO

“This most magical of musicals, a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, has landed on Wearside and it’s lost none of its West End sparkle. The sets shimmer and the cast soar - quite literally!”

SUNDERLAND ECHO

“This spellbinding musical has caused quite a stir on Wearside and I was completely blown away. It’s fast-paced, witty and a spectacular treat for the eyes.” NORTHUMBERLAND ECHO

Amy Ross as Elphaba
Photo: Matt Crockett 

Since its premiere in Manchester in 2013, this gigantic and celebrated touring production, involving over 100 people onstage and behind the scenes, has not only dazzled audiences across the UK but also in China, the Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland and Ireland. It will take 13 articulated lorries to transport the show’s spectacular sets, props and costumes to Sunderland in September, making a 330-mile journey from Dublin. When they arrive, a backstage team of 60 will work for 3 days to build the production and prepare the theatre for the first performance. This includes creating an area backstage known as ‘Wardrobe Village’, which will house the show’s 350 award-winning costumes, 75 wigs, 140 pairs of shoes, 110 hats, 125 pairs of gloves and 30 prosthetic masks. On stage, one of the first things audiences will see as they enter the auditorium is a giant mechanical dragon, which hangs 7.5 metres above the stage with a wingspan of 11 metres.

The acclaimed cast of 31 features Amy Ross as Elphaba, Helen Woolf as Glinda, Aaron Sidwell (best known as ‘Steven Beale’ in EastEnders) as Fiyero, Steven Pinder (best known as ‘Max Farnham’ in Brookside) as The Wizard & Doctor Dillamond, Kim Ismay as Madame Morrible, Emily Shaw as Nessarose and Iddon Jones as Boq. Nikki Bentley is Standby for Elphaba.

Wicked transports audiences to a stunningly re-imagined world of Oz, providing wonders beyond the imagination. The “spellbinding smash hit” (Time Out) is already the 6^th longest running Broadway show of all time and the 14^th longest running West End show of all time.  Around the world, WICKED has been seen by over 55 million people and won more than 100 major awards, including three Tony Awards on Broadway and two Olivier Awards in the UK.

Photo by Matt Crockett features

Helen Woolf and Aaron Sidwell

Based on the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire that ingeniously re-imagines the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, Wicked tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Was the infamous Wicked Witch of the West really wicked, or the innocent victim of a corrupt regime?

When Dorothy famously triumphed over the Wicked Witch, we only ever heard one side of the story. Gregory Maguire’s “outstanding novel” (The Independent), ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’, ingeniously re-imagines the Land of Oz, creating a parallel universe to the familiar story written by L. Frank Baum and first published as ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ in 1900.

Wicked tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two young women who first meet as sorcery students at Shiz University: the blonde and very popular Glinda and a misunderstood green girl named Elphaba. Following an encounter with The Wizard, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences for her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Experience this unforgettable musical and discover that you’ve not been told the whole story about the Land of Oz…

Amy Ross as Elphaba
Photo: Matt Crockett 

Wicked has music and lyrics by Oscar, Golden Globe, Grammy and Tony Award winner Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin; Disney’s Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Enchanted; DreamWorks’ The Prince of Egypt) and is based on the novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ by Gregory Maguire and adapted for the stage by Winnie Holzman (My So-Called Life). Scenic designer Eugene Lee and costume designer Susan Hilferty each won 2004 Tony Awards for their stunning designs. Music arrangements are by Alex Lacamoire (Hamilton) and Stephen Oremus (Disney’s Frozen). Musical staging is by Wayne Cilento and the production is directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello.

Wicked is produced around the world by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone. Executive Producer (UK) Michael McCabe.

On The Web:

Official website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

Twitter: @WickedUK

Facebook: /WickedUK 

Instagram: @WickedUK

Wicked is suitable for a general audience. As a guide to parents, guardians and teachers, it is recommended for ages 7+. All persons entering the theatre, regardless of age, must have a ticket. Children under 3 years of age will not be admitted.

The producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artist, which is always subject to illness, injury and statutory leave entitlement.

Gregory Maguire’s ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ is published by Headline.  The book is recommended for readers aged 16+

The Grammy Award-winning Original Broadway Cast recording on Decca Broadway

Tickets  

Tickets available in person at the Box Office on High Street West, from the Ticket Centre on 0844 871 3022* or online from our affiliate ATG Tickets at  http://bit.ly/sundWICKED  *

*Calls cost 7p per minute plus your plus your phone company's access charge. Booking and transaction fees may apply.

Group Bookings: 08448717655

Calls cost 7p per minute, plus your phone company's access charge.