It seems everywhere you turn right now, everything is pink and green – Wicked has hit the cinemas and everyone is well and truly drinking the green elixir.
Coincidentally, the touring theatre show of Wicked, celebrating 21 years since the first Broadway show and 18 years since debuting in the West End, has landed in town. While everyone else is following the yellow brick road to the big screen, I followed it to the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
Now we all think we know the story of Dorothy, poor girl whipped away from home in a tornado and crushing an evil witch with her house – we’ve all been there. This story however, tells the story from the “Wicked” Witch of the West’s perspective, filled with mind-blowing vocal acrobatics from a cast that just won’t let up.
Floating in on a giant mechanical bubble enters Glinda, or “Garlinda” as she prefers to be called, Sarah Pickford sets the standard for the show. An operatic entrance, the audience is in absolute awe. A well known character, Sarah makes the Good Witch of the North her own with a comical kindness.
Laura Pick, who has played the role of Elphaba at the Apollo Victoria before, takes opening night in her green stride – her love for the character shines through and her voice. Her VOICE. Her rendition of Defying Gravity had me in tears. I knew the song was good, but not this good. The audience is electrified by her performance.
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The storytelling of the show is sublime, with every cast member pulling you deeper and deeper in through gravity-defying dance numbers and the set is absolutely jaw-dropping. The mechanical Wizard of Oz (voiced and played by the fantastic Simeon Truby) is something to behold.
Wicked is in Manchester at the Palace Theatre. Credit: Supplied
Other notable performances come from Carl Man (who plays love interest Fiyero), Donna Berlin (the surprisingly cruel Madame Morrible), Jed Berry (the googly-eyed Munchkin Boq) and Megan Gardiner. Megan plays Elhpaba’s sister Nessarose, another character desperate for love but sadly becomes quite sinister.
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Like the cogs in the Wizard’s head, the presence of each cast member keeps the show running like a well oiled machine.
The story itself is one of an outsider, desperate to be loved and accepted for her difference, who finds friendship in unlikely places and how two people can change for the better. Of course, like often in life, a man tries to ruin it (surprise surprise).
Wicked is back at the Palace Theatre in Manchester. Credit: Mark Senior
A light is shone on how easily society can be whipped into a frenzy to protect their own beliefs and how love can withstand so much.
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The absolute star of the show however, is the iconic soundtrack and how awe-inspiring everyone is at singing. Genuinely, it was nearly impossible to not provide a standing ovation after every song. It was just that good. I’m even listening to the soundtrack right now as I write this on the tram home. I can’t (and don’t want to) get it out of my head.
Wicked is the 10th longest running West End show in British history and has won over 100 global awards. It has been seen by 65 million people worldwide (65 million and one now if you include me) and it isn’t hard to see why. Now a cinematic phenomenon, with Act 1 in cinemas now and Act 2 to hit the screen in November 2025.
Wicked is in Manchester for a six week season and is the tenth and final date after kicking off their tour in Edinburgh in December 2023.
The show closes on Sunday 12 January and remaining tickets are incredibly limited, so if you have one short day, spend it in Oz and book now while you can.
Follow the yellow brick road all the way to the theatre.
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Book your tickets to Wicked at the Palace Theatre Manchester HERE.
Based on the highly successful film of the same name, seen by more than 12 million people across five continents, and the recipient of over 80 awards internationally – including 10 Tony Awards and five Olivier Awards – Billy Elliot The Musical is heading back out on tour this year, and making its long-awaited return to one of Manchester‘s most legendary stages.
If you’re unfamiliar with the musical, the show is set in a northern mining town against the background of the 1984/85 miners’ strike and follows Billy’s journey from the boxing ring to the ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever.
Billy Elliot The Musical is returning to Manchester this Christmas / Credit: Supplied
Since its debut on stage all the way back in 2006, the show has been massively acclaimed by audiences and critics alike – with 125 boys having now played the iconic title role on stage worldwide.
The upcoming Manchester production will be brought to life by the multiple award-winning creative team behind the film, including writer Lee Hall (book and lyrics), director Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling, and of course, they’ll be joined by Elton John who composed the show’s score.
“Creating Billy Elliot the Musical was one of the most joyous and inspiring moments of our careers, so to bring the show back for a UK tour and a season in the West End for the first time in over a decade is both incredibly emotional and exciting,” commented Elton John and Stephen Daldry.
Tickets officially go on sale early next month / Credit: Supplied
“It’s bold, it’s British, it’s full of heart and the story feels more relevant than ever. We can’t wait for a whole new generation to experience it.”
Billy Elliot The Musical is taking to the Manchester Palace Theatre stage from 2 December 2026 through to 9 January 2027, before it does a run in the West End shortly after, and tickets officially go on sale in early March.
Tickets go on sale to ATG+ members on Thursday 5 March at 10am, and general on sale begins on Monday 9 March at 10am here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Theatre
Smash-hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie to return to Manchester on 10th anniversary tour
Emily Sergeant
One of the most beloved musicals of the 21st century is set to return to Manchester on its 10th anniversary tour.
Following a record-breaking three-year West End residency, two sold-out UK and Ireland Tours, and even an award-winning Amazon Studios film, the smash-hit musicalEverybody’s Talking About Jamie is returning for its 10th anniversary tour, and will be stopping off here in Manchester on one of our most legendary stages.
Set to open in Leeds a decade after the original opening at the Sheffield Crucible, Jamie will be ‘coming home again’ for what is said to be ‘possibly the last time’, as the show heads out to major cities across the UK.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie tells the story of 16-year-old title character, Jamie, who lives on a council estate in Sheffield but doesn’t quite fit in and is terrified about the future, even though he wants to be a sensation.
Supported by his loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies, and steps out of the darkness into the spotlight.
With an original score of catchy pop tunes by lead singer-songwriter of The Feeling, Dan Gillespie Sells, and writer Tom MacRae, the musical is said to be one the whole family should experience.
This new 10th anniversary addition of the show coming to Manchester even features a brand-new song to the already-beloved soundtrack.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will be coming to Manchester Palace Theatre on 15 March 2027, and will also be visiting other northern cities on the tour like Leeds, Chester, Sunderland, Sheffield, and Liverpool, as well as other major cities nationwide.
Tickets officially go on sale this week, with presale at 10am this Thursday (5 February) for ATG+ Members and general sale at 10am on Friday 6 February.
Kristen MacGregor-Houlston -
5th December 2024 
