WICKED, “one of the most successful musicals of all time” (BBC News), today (Friday 18 November 2022) announces a major 10-city 2023-2025 UK & Ireland Tour. The spectacular, multi-record-breaking, and critically acclaimed touring production will fly back to Birmingham Hippodrome for four weeks only from Tuesday 5 March to Sunday 7 April 2024. Wicked sold nearly 170,000 tickets across its two celebrated previous engagements in 2014 and 2018.

Tickets for Birmingham Hippodrome will go on sale in Spring 2023.

The West End and Broadway musical phenomenon, that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, continues its open-ended run at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it has already been seen by more than 11 million people and is now in its 17th year.

Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked imagines a beguiling backstory and future possibilities to the lives of L. Frank Baum’s beloved characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and reveals the decisions and events that shape the destinies of two unlikely university friends on their journey to becoming Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

With a touring cast, orchestra, company and crew of 82 people, and a further 20 people employed locally, “the blockbuster stage show” (Edinburgh Evening News) played to sold-out audiences during two previous tours of the UK & Ireland, winning the BroadwayWorld UK Award for ‘Best Touring Production‘. Casting is to be announced.

Wicked Executive Producer (UK & Ireland), Michael McCabe, said: “We are proud to be bringing Wicked back to the magnificent Birmingham Hippodrome where incredible audiences greeted us during our last sold-out engagement. We’re excited to have this opportunity to share once again the spectacle, magic and emotional story that has created unforgettable memories for audiences in Birmingham and all around the world.”

Jon Gilchrist, Artistic Director and Chief Executive at Birmingham Hippodrome, said: “We are delighted to welcome back Wicked after our previous sell-out run in 2018. Tickets will go on sale in spring 2023, with the date announced soon. 2024 is already shaping up to be a very special year for the Hippodrome!”

Reviews from previous visits:

★★★★★ “An epic adventure brought to life by superb scenery, innovative effects and superb acting. It’s a powerful, charming, and emotive production from start to finish and there is one bit at the end of the first half that dropped every jaw in the audience!” Birmingham Mail

★★★★★ “One of the greatest musicals of our time; a truly magical night full of imagination and emotion that is not to be missed!” WhatsOnStage  

★★★★★ “With its wonderfully crafted staging and dramatic score, ‘Wicked’ hits the mark on every level, and it’s hugely deserving of its status as one of the all-time great musicals.”What’s On Magazine

Wicked has already been seen by more than 60 million people worldwide and 2023 marks the 20th Anniversary Year of its Broadway premiere. Productions continue on Broadway, in the West End and on tour across North America. Wicked will also return to Sydney, Australia and Tokyo, Japan in 2023.

Wicked features songs by multi-Oscar and Grammy Award winner Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, The Prince of Egypt, Disney’s Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Enchanted). It is based on the multi-million copy best-selling novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire and written by Emmy and Tony Award nominee Winnie Holzman (creator of the landmark American television series My So-Called Life). Musical staging is by Tony Award-winner Wayne Cilento with direction by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello.

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

WICKED IN NUMBERS

  • Wicked has already been seen by more than 60 million people around the world and been performed in over 130 cities in 16 countries.
  • Wicked has sold nearly 170,000 tickets during its two previous visits to Birmingham Hippodrome
  • Wicked is already the 5th longest-running show in Broadway history. 2023 marks its 20th Anniversary Year.
  • Wicked is now in its 17th year at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it continues an open-ended run.
  • The West End production has already been seen by an incredible 11 million people and continues to break Box Office records.
  • Wicked features 350 stunning costumes, 140 wigs, 244 pairs of shoes, 110 hats, 125 pairs of gloves and 30 prosthetic masks.
  • With a touring company of 80 and 20 additional staff employed in each city, it takes 100 people, both on-stage and behind the scenes, to deliver performances of this massive touring production.
  • The 2023-2025 UK & Ireland Tour marks the third time the production has travelled to theatres across England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.
  • Wicked has won over 100 major awards including 3 Tony Awards, 6 Drama Desk Awards, 2 Olivier Awards, 10 WhatsOnStage Awards (including 3 for ‘Best West End Show’), 6 Australian Helpmann Awards, and a Grammy.

Wicked will run at Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 5 March – Sunday 7 April 2024. Tickets for Wicked will go on sale in Spring 2023 and can be booked at www.birminghamhippodrome.com or by calling 0844 338 5000*

*0844 calls will cost you 4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.