The worlds of Oz's witches—both cinematic and theatrical—converged at the Apollo Victoria Theatre this weekend as director Jon M. Chu visited the London company of the smash-hit musical, Wicked. Chu, the lauded director of Universal Pictures’ two-part film adaptation, including the highly anticipated conclusion, Wicked: For Good, stepped onto the iconic stage in a unique celebration of two mediums telling one powerful story.
Chu’s visit was particularly significant as the West End production recently marked its 19th anniversary in the capital. Having played nearly 7,500 performances and been seen by over 13 million people, Wicked is already the 10th longest-running West End show in history.
The director reflected on the strong connection, noting that the London theatre was the first place he brought his heads of department when they began work on the film adaptation. "It’s stunning, it feels like I’m in the movie," Chu commented, calling his involvement with the Wicked family "the dream of a lifetime."
During the special meet-and-greet, Chu was presented with a bespoke gift: a 3D printed mini replica of the iconic Oz head time clock, crafted by the West End production’s Head of Lighting, Paul Turner.
The blockbuster film series, which stars Academy Award nominees Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, is co-written by the musical's original creators, Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman. The first film was a global sensation, earning 10 Oscar nominations and becoming the highest-grossing Broadway film adaptation in history.
Wicked: For Good, the epic conclusion, is set to arrive in UK cinemas on November 21, 2025. Meanwhile, the stage production, currently starring Emma Kingston (Elphaba) and Zizi Strallen (Glinda), continues its celebrated run, revealing the untold story behind the destiny of Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
