Hit West-End musical wicked is set to host its fourth annual Halloween celebrations in London next weekend.
Families and theatre lovers can enjoy Halloween-themed events and activities put on by the record-breaking show in the capital while raising money for charity.
The festivities will culminate with Wicked Day on Sunday November 1st at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London, following a day of fun with the musical’s cast at Westfield shopping centre.
All proceeds will go towards funding a Cash for Kids community garden project, creating a safe, green area for local children in the capital.
Michael McCabe, executive producer of the musical wicked in the city, commented: "Young people have played a significant part in the phenomenal success of Wicked and the central character of Elphaba has proved to be an incredible role model for them.
"It's important for all of us involved in the show to be raising funds for Cash For Kids in order to support and enrich the lives of young people in the region."
Musical wicked made its debut on Broadway back in 2003 and has since gone on to wow audiences around the world.
Wicked has recently added a further six months to its schedule at the West End’s Apollo Victoria, where it’s now taking bookings through to 26 September 2009.
Wicked tells the “untold story” of the Witches of Oz - popular blonde Glinda, aka the Good Witch of the North, and her spin-victim friend Elphaba – who were both immortalised in the 1939 film classic The Wizard of Oz. The musical has a book by Winnie Holtzman, based on Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. It’s directed by Joe Mantello.
Opened in 2003 on Broadway, where it’s still running, Wicked received its West End premiere on 27 September 2006 (previews from 6 September). In the 2007 Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers’ Choice Awards, covering the 2006 theatre year, it won four top awards, including Best New Musical.
The current London company is led by Alexia Khadime (who plays the green-skinned Elphaba until 1 December, when her predecessor, Whatsonstage.com Award winner Kerry Ellis, currently on Broadway, returns to the role), Dianne Pilkington (“good witch” Glinda), Harriet Thorpe (Madame Morrible), Oliver Tompsett (Fiyero) and Desmond Barrit (The Wizard).
