London’s “Wicked” cast changes transforms dynamics

As “Wicked” the musical continues its reign in the U.S. in theaters from Los Angeles to New York, the play - based on the novel by Gregory Maguire - is also making waves across the Atlantic in London at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. The production, which debuted at the London theater in Sept. 2006, late last month obtained an entirely British cast, according to BroadwayWorld.com. In “Wicked,” a play written by Stephen Schwartz, the lives of Glinda The Good Witch of the East and Elphaba The Wicked Witch of the West, are chronicled up to the point before Dorothy stumbles upon the land of Oz. Glinda, once played by Helen Dallimore, was replaced in late July by Brit actress Dianne Pilkington. Pilkington, who has held roles such as Belle in Disney’s national tour of Beauty and the Beast, adds a more humorous feel to the simple gestures and comments that predecessor Dallimore did not pick up on, according to BroadwayWorld.com.

The London show is slated to run for another year and theater critics predict “Wicked” - which broke the West End Theater’s box office records last October when it grossed close to a million pounds and generated more than 18,000 spectators - will have continued success. As time dwindles down, make sure not to miss the chance to see this Broadway sensation. For “Wicked” tickets, visit www.StubHub.com

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on August 13, 2007 - Post a comment