Apollo Victoria Theatre

The Apollo Victoria Theatre was built in 1929 by the architects Lewis and William Edward Trent for the Provincial Cinematograph Theatres. It is characterized by two identical concrete facades on Wilton Road and Vauxhall Bridge Road, with a plain entrance leading into a nautically themed Art Deco interior.
Originally opened as a cinema, it also provided space for variety shows and had a large stage and several dressing rooms. After closing during World War II, the building survived planned demolitions in the 1950s and showed a mix of ballet, live shows, and movies. From 1976 to 1980, it served as a venue for rock concerts before reopening in 1981 as the Apollo Victoria Theatre with a Shirley Bassey concert. The building was listed as a protected structure in 1972.

In the early 1980s, musicals such as The Sound of Music, Camelot, and Fiddler on the Roof were performed at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. In 1984, the theater was redesigned for the show Starlight Express by Andrew Lloyd Webber, which ran for 18 years with over 7,400 performances. After the theater's restoration, Bombay Dreams, also by Lloyd Webber, followed in 2002 and remained in the schedule until 2004. Afterwards, Saturday Night Fever returned, before the jukebox musical Movin' Out with music by Billy Joel was performed in 2006, and only ran for two months. Since September 2006, the musical Wicked has been shown at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, which continues to run successfully in the West End to this day.

Wicked is a prequel to 'The Wizard of Oz' and illuminates the unexpected friendship between Elphaba, an unusually green-skinned girl, and Glinda, the popular and beautiful student. Throughout their college years at Shiz University, the two come into conflict when Elphaba discovers that the schemes of the 'Wizard of Oz' are anything but honorable. Elphaba decides to fight against injustice, eventually becoming the 'Wicked Witch of the West'. Glinda, on the other hand, becomes the 'Good Witch of the North'. The musical explores themes such as friendship, prejudice, and the cost of integrity, while casting a new light on the familiar story of Oz.

The audience loves Wicked for its unconventional storytelling, which retells the known story from 'The Wizard of Oz' from a new, fascinating perspective and presents the 'Wicked Witch' as a complex, misunderstood character. The profound themes such as friendship, prejudice, and the fight against injustice speak to universal human experiences and create an emotional connection. The captivating music, especially 'Defying Gravity', 'Popular' or 'For Good', coupled with stunning staging, leaves a lasting impression. Moreover, the layered characters and the emotional depth of the plot ensure that the audience feels drawn into the story. This combination of innovative story, emotional resonance, and spectacular stage art makes Wicked an unforgettable experience.

Wicked is definitely a must-see because it tells an original and profound story, impresses with a fresh perspective on familiar characters, and captivates through spectacular music and staging. It stands out from other London musicals for its emotional depth, complex characters, and powerful message about friendship and self-determination. Wicked is ideal for visitors looking for a gripping and visually stunning theatrical experience that engages both the heart and mind.




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The original Broadway production of Wicked won three Tony Awards and seven Drama Desk Awards. The original album featuring Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda received a Grammy Award. The success of the musical led to numerous worldwide productions and broke box office records in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and London. In 2016, Wicked surpassed 1 billion dollars in Broadway revenue and became the second biggest Broadway hit after The Lion King in 2017.

Now, there will even be a two-part film adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The first part was be released on November 22, 2024, and the second part on November 26, 2025.

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