Wicked movie premieres in London

The stars of Wicked, the new movie musical directed by Jon M Chu, flocked to London’s Southbank Centre on Monday night for the film’s UK premiere.

The two leading ladies Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who play Elphaba and Glinda respectively, graced the green carpet alongside Jeff Goldblum (the Wizard), Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero), Michelle Yeoh (Madam Morrible) and Ethan Slater (Boc). Director Chu was also in attendance, alongside two of his five children.

In a rather lovely touch, a host of previous West End (and Broadway) Elphabas and Glindas also attended: Alexia Khadime, Alice Fearn, Lucie Jones, Rachel Tucker and Kerry Ellis; and Sophie Evans, Helen Woolf, Louise Dearman and Lucy St Louis. ‘I can’t believe I get to stand as part of this line of powerhouse women,’ said Jones (who returns to Les Misérables for a third time in December, once again playing Fantine).

Goldblum, meanwhile, paid tribute to head of costumes Paul Tazewell, for helping him transform into the Wizard. Tazewell, along with three other key creatives, are interviewed by Matt Wolf for this magazine’s Wicked cover feature in the December issue, providing a fascinating insight into the inner workings of this extraordinary big-screen musical adaptation.

The Southbank event marked the final stop on a global press tour ahead of the film’s release this Friday. The movie forms the first part of a two-part film from Chu and his cast, telling the untold story of the Witches of Oz using Stephen Schwartz's phenomenal and much-loved score.

Keep an eye out for our Wicked cover feature in our thrillifying December issue of Musicals, out this Friday 22 November – Subscribe Today!

Watch the trailer here:

Wicked will be released in the UK and Ireland on 22 November 2024