The West End phenomenon Wicked has officially become the longest-running production in the history of the Apollo Victoria Theatre.
Following Saturday’s matinee performance, Wicked also secured its place as the ninth longest-running West End show of all time.
The milestone sees Wicked surpass Starlight Express, which previously held the Apollo Victoria record with 7,406 performances between 1984 and 2002.
To mark the occasion, a commemorative plaque was presented to ATG Entertainment representatives Ross Verity-Williams and Kamaal Hussain, alongside cast members Abbie Quinnen and Iroy Abesamis.
Plaques will be displayed backstage and in both front-of-house Ambassador Lounges.
Producer David Stone said:
“We are thrilled that Wicked has become the ninth longest-running production in West End history and the longest-running production in the history of the Apollo Victoria Theatre, surpassing Starlight Express. This milestone is a testament to the extraordinary talent and dedication of the many performers, musicians, backstage teams and theatre staff who have sustained the production with such care and commitment. We offer our heartfelt thanks to the millions of audience members whose continued enthusiasm and support have made this remarkable achievement possible.”
Michael Lynas, Chief Content Officer at ATG Entertainment, added:
“As the owners of the Apollo Victoria Theatre, we are immensely proud that Wicked has become the venue’s longest-running show. This remarkable musical is a jewel in the crown of the West End and shines as brightly as when it opened more than 19 years ago. We are delighted to host a show which has been entertaining London audiences since 2006, and we pay tribute to the producers, the creative team, the performers and musicians, and everyone working backstage and front of house at the Apollo Victoria.”
Claire Walker, Co-CEO of Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre, said:
“We are thrillified to celebrate Wicked reaching this incredible milestone at the Apollo Victoria Theatre and in West End history. For nearly 20 years, Wicked has been a defining part of London’s theatrical landscape, and we can’t wait for many more spellbinding performances to come.”
The current London cast includes Emma Kingston as Elphaba, Zizi Strallen as Glinda, and Carl Man as Fiyero.
They are joined by Sarah Ingram, Michael Matus, Ross Carpenter, David McKechnie, Hannah Qureshi, Laura Emmitt, Lydia Gerrard, and a large ensemble company.
Wicked is based on Gregory Maguire’s novel and features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, with a book by Winnie Holzman.
The production is directed by Joe Mantello with musical staging by Wayne Cilento.
The show continues to play at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, with performances Tuesday to Sunday and additional dates throughout the year.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
