IT’S the first look at a West End and Broadway phenomenon heading our way.

The producers of Wicked, the celebrated musical telling the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, have released new production photography featuring Kinky Boots and Sunny Afternoon star Amy Ross as Elphaba, Wicked favourite Helen Woolf as Glinda and ex-Eastenders actor Aaron Sidwell as Fiyero.

The show may be a year away from hitting Southampton, but the cast are already in rehearsal. Aaron Sidwell has returned to the stage direct from his character Steven Beale being killed off in Walford.

He told the Daily Echo: “We’re now in week three of rehearsals and we’re starting to piece sections of the show together.

“I’ve been really excited by the size and scale of the show. It’s like a theme park attraction when on stage! Despite not being a huge musical theatre fan, I’ve always had an appreciation of the show and was drawn to it.”

The Olivier Award winning show tells of an unlikely but profound friendship between two sorcery students and their extraordinary adventures in Oz, which will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Wicked returns to Mayflower Theatre for four weeks from October 3 to 27, 2018. One of the most successful productions in the venue’s history, it was previously seen by over 65,000 people - equivalent to 1 in 4 people in Southampton - during its 2014 stint. Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or mayflower.org.uk