The History of Elphaba: Leading Actresses of London’s Wicked

As London’s West End production of Wicked marks its landmark 20th anniversary at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, the milestone highlights two decades of theatrical history that began when the show officially opened on 27 September 2006, according to reporting from EuropeSays. The British capital’s run of the global blockbuster has welcomed a long line of acclaimed performers since its debut. According to EuropeSays, the inaugural production in London featured original Broadway star Idina Menzel reprising her role as Elphaba alongside Helen Dallimore, Adam Garcia, Miriam Margolyes, and Nigel Planer. Over the subsequent two decades, audiences at the Apollo Victoria Theatre have watched numerous performers take on the iconic roles, leading up to the current cast featuring Emma Kingston and Zizi Strallen. Among the milestone casting moments in the West End production, actress Kerry Ellis made history in January 2007 as the first-ever British actress to play Elphaba in London.

Origins and Development of the Global Phenomenon

The journey of Wicked began well before its London opening, rooted in the creative efforts of composer Stephen Schwartz and book writer Winnie Holzman. According to EuropeSays, Schwartz discovered Gregory Maguire’s novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, while snorkelling on holiday in Hawaii, immediately recognizing the potential of telling the Oz story from the Wicked Witch’s perspective. Book writer Winnie Holzman proved to be an ideal creative partner for the adaptation, bringing her background from the teenage television series My So-Called Life to help shape the complex emotional lives of Elphaba and Glinda, as reported by EuropeSays. Before reaching the stage, the project was originally planned as a movie until Schwartz made a passionate case for a live musical production, a concept that has ultimately come full circle with the release of the two-part film adaptations. The iconic characters themselves carry unique creative DNA from the source material and early workshops. F. In the show’s developmental workshops, actress Stephanie J. Block first inhabited the role of Elphaba alongside original Glinda actress Kristin Chenoweth, before Idina Menzel took the role to Broadway in 2003.

Design Elements and West End Legacy

The visual spectacle of Wicked relies on elaborate design work, featuring more than 200 costumes conceived by designer Susan Hilferty under a style she calls “twisted Edwardian,” according to EuropeSays. Hilferty drew inspiration for Glinda’s regal wardrobe from high-profile historical events including Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation and Princess Diana’s wedding, while integrating nature motifs such as fossil and stalactite patterns into Elphaba’s dresses.

Achieving Elphaba’s signature look requires a precise and swift transformation process for every actress who takes on the role. According to EuropeSays, the makeup routine takes roughly half an hour and utilizes MAC Landscape Green Chromacake—a water-activated paint applied with large Hake brushes—alongside custom-mixed MAC Paint Sticks such as True Chartreuse, all sealed with a finishing powder.

Having joined the elite group of long-running West End productions with its September celebration at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, Wicked continues to draw crowds two decades after its initial London premiere. The production remains a cornerstone of contemporary musical theatre, sustained by the enduring popularity of its score, design, and successive generations of performers.