'Wicked' Breaks West End's Highest Weekly Gross Record

Since Wicked began previews at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre in September, it has continued to break box office records.

This past week, the musical grossed over three quarters of a million pounds (£761,125) at the box office, higher than any other West End show currently running. The gross is the highest weekly 8-performance box office take in West End history. Over 18,000 people attended the show last week.

Since its first public performance on 7 September 2006, Wicked has been seen by over 130,000 people, averaging just over 95% attendance in its 2304-seat theatre.

Since opening night, 27 September 2006, the weekly gross has been higher than any other West End show. For the month of October, Wicked grossed nearly £2.5 million.  
 
Based on the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire, the musical tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, and how one came to be called 'good' and the other 'wicked'.
 
Wicked stars Idina Menzel as Elphaba, Helen Dallimore as Glinda, Adam Garcia as Fiyero, Miriam Margolyes as Madame Morrible, Nigel Planer as The Wizard, Martin Ball as Doctor Dillamond, James Gillan as Boq and Katie Rowley Jones as Nessarose.

Menzel won a Tony Award for originating the role of Elphaba on Broadway. She will leave the production at year's end. From January 2007, Kerry Ellis will play the role of Elphaba.
 
The Apollo Victoria Theatre is located at Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LG.
 
For tickets call Ticketmaster at 0870 4000 751. Tickets are £15 to £55. Day seats are available for £25 from 10 AM at the box office.
 
For more information, please visit www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk.