London Wicked Announces Wizard and Morrible Casting

It has been confirmed today that Miriam Margolyes will star as 'Madame Morrible' and Nigel Planner will star as 'The Wizard' in the forthcoming production of the new musical WICKED, the untold story of the witches of Oz, at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre.

The award-winning British actress MIRIAM MARGOLYES has made over 40 film appearances including: 'Professor Sprout' in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; 'Nurse' in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet; Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence, for which she won the BAFTA award for 'Best Supporting Actress' and Little Dorrit, for which she won the LA Critics' Circle Award for 'Best Supporting Actress'. Her multiple television appearances include Blackadder I, II and III; 'Miss Crawley' in the BBC adaptation of Vanity Fair and, most recently, as the presenter of the 4-part documentary series Dickens In America. Miriam has appeared frequently on stage in the UK, North America and Australia and she has performed her acclaimed one-woman show, Dickens' Women, all over the world. She is currently starring as 'Miss Prism' in The Importance of Being Earnest with Lynn Redgrave in New York. In 2002, Miriam was awarded an OBE for her services to drama.

Actor and writer NIGEL PLANER is a founder member London's Comedy Store and an original member of The Comic Strip. His West End appearances include Evita (original London cast and theatrical debut); Chicago (original London cast/Amos Hart); Feelgood (George); Alan Ayckbourn's Man of the Moment and We Will Rock You (original London cast/Pop). Nigel has made numerous television and film appearances including Neil in The Young Ones (plus a number 2 chart hit with 'Hole in My Shoe'); 3 series of The Grimleys; 3 series of Shine On Harvey Moon; 2 series of King and Castle; Dennis Potter's Blackeyes; Ralph Filthy in Filthy, Rich and Catflap; 'The Comic Strip Presents…'; The Supergrass and Eat The Rich. Nigel first created his infamous alter-ego, Nicholas Craig: The Naked Actor, in 1990. He has published several books, including The Right Man and Faking It, and also scripted, and is all the voices for, The New Magic Roundabout.

MIRIAM MARGOLYES and NIGEL PLANER join previously announced Idina Menzel, who will recreate her Tony Award-winning Broadway performance as 'Elphaba' for a limited season, and Adam Garcia, who will play 'Fiyero'.

More casting news is expected next week

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