WICKED FLIES BACK TO LIVERPOOL IN 2018

Posted on 19 January 2017
By Chris High
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WICKED, the West End and Broadway musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is delighted to confirm that its spectacular, multi record-breaking and critically acclaimed touring production will return to the Liverpool Empire in 2018. One of the most successful productions in the venue’s history, WICKED was previously seen by over 68,000 people – equivalent to 1 in 7 people in Liverpool – during its celebrated engagement in September/October 2014.

WICKED returns for four weeks only from Wednesday 7 to Saturday 31 March 2018. Tickets go on sale from next week:

Executive Producer Michael McCabe said: “We were overwhelmed by the incredible response from audiences and critics alike when we first brought Wicked to Liverpool in 2014, and it is extraordinary to think that over 68,000 people came and saw us. The whole team at the Liverpool Empire showed such tremendous enthusiasm and support, and we’re all really delighted to return to this legendary venue.”

The Liverpool Empire’s General Manager, Diane Belding said: “Wicked is one of the most popular musicals there is and we are honoured to be welcoming the production back to the Empire stage. During its run here in 2014, seeing thousands of smiling faces leaving the theatre after every performance was truly magical. I’m sure Liverpool will fall under its spell once again when the production returns to the city next year.”

Acclaimed as “one of the greatest musicals of our time” (Daily Mail), “a magical mystery tour through the fantasyland of Oz” (London Evening Standard) and “one of the West End’s true modern classics” (Metro), WICKED tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two sorcery students and their extraordinary adventures in Oz, which will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. Based on the acclaimed, best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire that ingeniously re-imagines the stories and characters originally created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, WICKED has become a global phenomenon featuring astounding technical wizardry, stunning costumes and show-stopping songs by three-time Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz.

This spectacular production of WICKED, acclaimed by the Northern Echo as “the ultimate Broadway experience for theatre audiences all over the UK”, played a fifteen-city tour of the UK & Ireland from September 2013 – July 2015, winning five-star rave reviews at every venue. It resumed touring in July 2016 to embark on a major international tour including engagements in Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, Shanghai and Beijing, before returning to the UK & Ireland in 2018.

WICKED is already the 17th longest running show in West End theatre history and recently celebrated a decade of performances at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it continues an open-ended run. Around the world, WICKED has now been seen by over 50 million people in 15 countries, and won over 100 major awards.

WICKED has music and lyrics by multi Grammy and Academy Award-winner Stephen Schwartz (Godspell and Disney’s Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Enchanted) and is based on the acclaimed novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ by Gregory Maguire and adapted for the stage by Winnie Holzman. Musical staging is by Tony Award-winner 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/International Tour) Michael McCabe.

Casting for the 2018 UK & Ireland Tour is to be announced. Performance times:
Mon – Sat evenings 7.30pm, Wed & Sat matinees 2.30pm. Extra matinees on Thur 8th & Thur 29th March

Tickets from £12
Empire Theatre Box Office ¦ 0844 871 3017 ¦ atgtickets.com/Liverpool
*(Fees may apply to online/phone bookings. Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge)

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.

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