Wicked the Musical in London

Wicked sits at the Apollo Victoria, a few minutes from Victoria station, and it has held that spot for years now. That kind of run tells you something: word of mouth keeps filling seats long after the reviews faded from memory.

The story runs before Dorothy lands in Oz, following Elphaba and Glinda from school rivals to the witches you already know from the film. You don't need the 1939 movie fresh in your head, but knowing the broad shape of Oz helps the jokes land.

Victoria itself is not a destination most Londoners linger in, but the theatre district around it works well for a pre-show meal. Pimlico Road and the streets behind the coach station have quieter options if you want to avoid the station-forecourt chains.

Matinees suit people who want to avoid a late finish or a Tube ride home in the crush. Evening performances give you the full West End feel: crowds outside the stage door, the queue for the loo at the interval, that hum before the lights go down.

Booking ahead matters more for this one than for most shows, since it rarely has a quiet week. If you're flexible on dates, weekday performances tend to be easier to get into than weekend slots.