Smash-hit West End musical Wicked achieved a major new milestone on Saturday.
At the musical’s Saturday matinee performance on 1 November 2025, the show played its 7,407th performance, and jumped ahead of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express as the 9th longest-running show in West End history.
Wicked is also now the 7th longest-running musical in West End history.
Starlight Express also ran at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, playing 7,406 performances from March 1984 to January 2002.
The milestone has been marked by a commemorative plaque, presented to ATG Entertainment representatives Ross Verity-Williams, General Manager of the Apollo Victoria Theatre, and Kamaal Hussain, Deputy General Manager, alongside Wicked Ozians Abbie Quinnen and Iroy Abesamis.
The plaque will be displayed backstage and in both of the front-of-house Ambassador Lounges.
The show recently celebrated its 19th anniversary in London, and is now booking to Sunday 3 January 2027.
Wicked currently stars Emma Kingston as Elphaba and Zizi Strallen as Glinda, with Carl Man as Fiyero, Sarah Ingram as Madame Morrible and Michael Matus as The Wizard.
Since opening in 2006, the musical has been seen by more than 13 million people in London and honoured with over 100 global awards.
Wicked imagines the untold story of the Witches of Oz, charting how two unlikely university friends become Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Written by Winnie Holzman from Gregory Maguire’s best-selling novel, Wicked features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The West End production is directed by Joe Mantello with musical staging by Wayne Cilento, set design by Eugene Lee, costumes by Susan Hilferty, lighting by Kenneth Posner, sound by Tony Meola, projections by Elaine J. McCarthy, and hair & wigs by Tom Watson. Orchestrations are by William David Brohn, with musical supervision by Stephen Oremus.
Schwartz and Holzman also collaborated on Universal Pictures’ two-part film adaptation directed by Jon M. Chu and produced by Marc Platt and David Stone, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Wicked: For Good is scheduled for UK release on 21 November 2025 – see the new Wicked: For Good trailer here.
What They Said
Wicked’s Producer David Stone said in a statement: “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.”
ATG Entertainment’s Chief Content Officer, Michael Lynas, said: “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.”
Book tickets to Wicked
Wicked is now playing at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London, booking to 3 January 2027.
Book tickets to Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre London
Wicked
Apollo Victoria Theatre, London
Book tickets
📷 Main photo: Wicked becomes 9th longest-running show in West End history. Photo by Troy David Johnston
More >
More >