Louise Dearman makes history in Wicked, swaps Glinda for Elphaba

From “good witch” to “bad witch”, Louise Dearman will make history this autumn when she takes over the role of green-skinned Elphaba in Wicked at the West End’s Apollo Victoria Theatre from 29 October 2012. Dearman previously played Glinda in the alternative Oz story. She will be the first actress to play both starring roles in the nearly decade-long history of the Broadway-import musical.

Dearman commented: “As an actress, you strive to challenge yourself to play as many diverse roles as possible throughout your career, and right now I feel like the luckiest girl in the history of musical theatre. I still can’t quite believe that in two months’ time I’ll be back in Wicked, but this time I won’t come and go by Bubble, I’ll be on a broomstick!”

UK executive producer Michael McCabe added: “From her wonderful performance as Glinda, audiences already know that Louise possesses a stunning voice and remarkable acting abilities, so we are genuinely excited to now welcome her back to Wicked as Elphaba. We have all been awestruck by the way Louise has channelled her incredible talents to inhabit this iconic role, and I’ve no doubt that audiences will be equally thrilled”.

In addition to ‘Glinda’ in Wicked, Dearman’s major musical theatre roles have included: Eva Peron in Evita, Grizabella in Cats and Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls. She has released two albums, including the recent Here Comes The Sun.

First opened on Broadway in October 2003, Wicked received its West End premiere in 2006 at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it has been seen by over 4.5 million people to date. Its many awards include eight Whatsonstage.com Awards, including Best New Musical in its opening year, and Best West End Show, our award for longer-runners, twice.

Wicked tells the “untold story” of the Witches of Oz – popular blonde Glinda, aka the Good Witch of the North, and her spin-victim friend Elphaba – who were both immortalised in the 1939 film classic The Wizard of Oz. The musical has a book by Winnie Holtzman, based on Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. It’s directed by Joe Mantello.

The current London company is led by Whatsonstage.com Award winner Rachel Tucker as Elphaba, whom Dearman previously played opposite, Gina Beck as Glinda, and Matt Willis as Fiyero.

– Rosie Bannister & Terri Paddock