There has been a lot of speculation recently about whether the hit musical Wicked will be returning to Australia for another tour. Wicked first premiered on Broadway in 2003 and has gone on to become one of the most successful musicals of all time. The original Australian production opened in Melbourne in 2008 before touring to Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide over the following years. Since closing in 2013, there has been huge demand from fans for Wicked to return down under.
When was Wicked last in Australia?
The original Australian tour of Wicked ran from 2008 to 2013. It opened at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne on 9 June 2008, with Amanda Harrison playing Elphaba and Lucy Durack as Glinda. After a 14 month run in Melbourne, the production transferred to Sydney where it played at the Capitol Theatre from September 2009 to September 2010. Subsequent seasons followed in Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide before the tour concluded at the Burswood Theatre in Perth in June 2013.
In total, the first Australian tour of Wicked played over 1500 performances across more than 4 years in 5 cities. It became the highest grossing musical ever staged in Australia, proving massively popular with Australian audiences.
Have there been any recent revivals or tours?
Since the original Australian tour closed in 2013, there has not been another major professional production of Wicked staged in the country. The show has continued to be performed around the world, including several long-running productions on Broadway and the West End, as well as tours across North America, Europe, Asia and South Africa.
However, while Wicked has returned to places like Finland, Japan, Korea, Manila and Brazil for repeat tours over the last decade, Australia has so far missed out. Fans have been eagerly awaiting news of the show’s return ever since the original tour closed.
What have the creatives said about bringing it back?
Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz has previously expressed a strong desire to bring the musical back to Australia. In 2016 he said “We all feel very bad we haven’t yet returned to Australia with Wicked. All I can say is we are trying our hardest to get back there soon.”
The following year, Wicked producer Marc Platt also acknowledged the calls to bring the show back down under. “We know that there are so many loyal Wicked fans in Australia eagerly awaiting a return visit”, he said, “and we’re hoping to oblige them just as soon as we can.”
The creative team have reiterated this commitment over the years, assuring Australian audiences that further tours are on the agenda. It’s clear that reviving the show in Australia is a priority, but securing available theatre venues and coordinating international touring schedules takes time.
Are there any planned tours?
As of October 2023, there has been no official announcement of a specific revival Australian tour of Wicked. However, in August 2022, Australian entertainment company TEG Dainty registered the trademark “WICKED AUSTRALIA” for entertainment and live production services. This indicates that plans for another Australian tour may be underway behind the scenes.
Additionally, overseas productions have slowly been resuming tours following pandemic shutdowns. The London production returned in September 2021, while North American tours re-launched in August 2022. Now that international touring has picked back up again, an Australian Wicked revival could potentially be on the cards within the next 1-2 years.
Which cities might it visit?
If Wicked was to return to Australia for another tour, it would likely follow a similar route to the original 2008-2013 production. This would likely involve extended runs in Melbourne and Sydney, followed by visits to Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. The Regent Theatre in Melbourne and Capitol Theatre in Sydney would be the frontrunners to host the major productions.
Smaller towns and cities that missed out on the first tour, such as Canberra, Newcastle and the Gold Coast, could potentially be included as stop-offs in a revival tour. However the logistics of moving large touring productions places some limitations on additional locations. Realistically, a new Australian tour would focus on the 5 major hubs covered by the inaugural tour, while possibly adding 1 or 2 more cities.
How much are tickets likely to cost?
As one of the most in-demand musical theatre productions in the world, tickets to Wicked don’t come cheap. If the show does return to Australia, fans can expect ticket prices to be comparable to other big musicals touring locally:
City | Estimated Ticket Price Range |
---|---|
Melbourne | $100 – $200+ |
Sydney | $100 – $200+ |
Brisbane | $80 – $180 |
Perth | $80 – $180 |
Adelaide | $80 – $180 |
Premium tickets or vip packages will likely exceed $200. Interstate travellers also need to factor in flights and accommodation.
Compared to Wicked’s last Australian tour where tickets started from around $50 – $100, current pricing is forecast to be at least 50-100% higher. This is broadly in line with inflation on big theatre tickets over the last decade.
How quickly will tickets sell out?
If previous touring musicals are any indicator, tickets to a new Australian tour of Wicked would sell out extremely quickly. When Hamilton toured Australia from 2021-2022, tickets in Sydney and Melbourne sold out within just hours.
Given Wicked’s status as one of the most beloved musicals, and the pent up demand after a decade away, tickets would be expected to sell at a rapid pace. The first month or so of tickets released for each city would likely sell out within days, if not faster.
Fans keen to secure seats are advised to watch out for pre-sales and register for ticket alerts to have the best chance. Otherwise buyers may be forced onto waiting lists or to pay inflated resale prices.
How long will the tour run for?
The original Australian tour of Wicked played for over 4 years from 2008-2013. A revival tour would be unlikely to last quite as long due to the backlog of other musicals now queuing up to visit Australia.
However, Wicked would still be expected to sit in each city for an extended run. Previous blockbuster musical tours like The Lion King and Aladdin have occupied venues for around 6-12 months per city. Wicked would likely follow a similar model, potentially with the following indicative touring schedule:
City | Estimated Run Length |
---|---|
Melbourne | 12 months |
Sydney | 12 months |
Brisbane | 6 months |
Perth | 6 months |
Adelaide | 6 months |
This would allow the show to settle in for an extended stay in both Melbourne and Sydney where demand will be highest. All up, a tour on this scale would likely run for around 2.5 – 3 years, if not longer.
Key advantages of bringing Wicked back to Australia
There are several compelling reasons why restaging Wicked in Australia makes sense:
- Strong existing fanbase – The original tour attracted over 1.5 million attendees, demonstrating the show’s popularity.
- Proven record – The first Australian tour was a huge critical and commercial success, grossing over $100 million.
- Star power – The brand and music have cross-generational appeal, especially with big songs like “Defying Gravity”.
- Fresh experience – New staging innovations and cast members will provide something new for repeat attendees.
- Tourism revenue – Big musicals attract thousands of interstate and regional visitors, boosting local economies.
On the evidence so far, a revival of Wicked could be one of the most successful musical tours in Australian history. The producers would be leaving lots of money on the table if they don’t bring it back soon.
What COVID impacts need to be considered?
The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions to live theatre over the past few years. With border closures and venue restrictions in place at various times, most musicals were unable to tour between 2020-2022.
However, Australia’s entertainment industry has now largely returned to normal. Still, any new tour of Wicked would need to factor in some lingering pandemic considerations:
- Flexible booking policies – Patrons may need to reschedule if catching COVID.
- Understudies – To cover cast members off sick with COVID.
- Enhanced cleaning – To prevent COVID transmission in venues.
- Ventilation – Good ventilation reduces airborne transmission risks.
- Vaccination policies – Proof of vaccination may be required for entry.
By building these measures into their plans, the Wicked team can help reassure audiences that the show will go on, while keeping attendees COVID-safe.
What is still uncertain?
While excitement is building, a few things remain up in the air regarding Wicked returning to Australia:
- Exact dates and venues – No concrete schedule has been announced yet.
- Casting – No confirmation on who will star as the main roles.
- Ticket details – Exact pricing and on-sale dates are still TBC.
- COVID challenges – Potential pandemic impacts create some uncertainty.
- Competition – Securing prime theatre availability could be tough.
Hopefully these uncertainties will be cleared up soon with an official tour announcement. Fans are eagerly awaiting those details!
Conclusion
After a decade-long absence, it seems highly likely that Wicked will be returning to Australia very soon. The original Australian tour was a record-breaking success, and the show remains just as popular today. While nothing is locked in yet, confident statements from the producers and creatives suggest that plans are actively underway to bring the magical musical back down under.
Fans should keep their eyes peeled for an official tour announcement in coming months. Based on forecasts, they can expect tickets to sell out extremely quickly once they go on sale. After years of waiting, Australian audiences could finally get another chance to experience the wonder of Wicked live on stage again sometime within the next 1-2 years. One thing’s for sure – Good news couldn’t come soon enough!