November Blog : Behind the scenes of my Wicked pre-release experience!

Hello, I am Ruby, Marketing and Socials newbie (ish) at the Curzon. I have taken on the challenge of starting some blog posts about Curzon activities and film news (it may get nerdy sometimes). This first post – as you may be able to tell from the title – is all about a little outing I had last weekend in London, for a very special pre-release of a verrrry iconic stage to screen performance!

Wicked is HERE! To all the musical nerds, OG Oz fans, and the non-believers who fall outside and in between: while this may seem like just another mainstream blockbuster, don’t be fooled. Two decades after the now-iconic musical Wicked made its Broadway debut, filming on director Jon M. Chu’s screen adaptation began—and it does not disappoint.

Last Sunday I had the incredible opportunity to attend a UK premiere screening of the new Wicked for the British Society of Cinematographers. As someone who isn’t a musical fan and knew nothing about the stage performance, watching this was a delightful cinematic surprise. From the lighting and set design to the visual effects and more, this stage-to-screen adaptation hits all the right notes. Reviews are already pouring in from critics, and they are wicked!

During the pre-release event, I got to hear about the making of the film through the eyes of cinematographer Alice Brooks. The film took four years to create, and if you’ve been following the buzz, you’ll know this is only part one. Part two is set to release in November 2025. Both films were shot back-to-back, and rumour has it the second installment will be much darker.

This film tells the story of Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship and how Elphaba came to be labelled as “The Wicked Witch.” It’s a powerful reminder that there are two sides to every story. With eight months of pre-shoot preparation, filming across 17 stages, and monumental efforts from the entire team, it’s clear this production was a labour of love. From early makeup tests and costume designs to massive sets spanning the size of four American football fields and 10 weeks of choreography rehearsals for both dancers and Steadicam operators, every detail was meticulously crafted.

Even the smallest elements were carefully considered. For instance, custom lenses were made for Elphaba’s glasses to prevent glare on camera and keep her freckles visible, and Brooks ensured the lighting always symbolized character arcs—sunsets for Elphaba and sunrises for Glinda. Over nine million real tulips were planted for the production. Shot in the UK, filming locations included several London studios, turf farms in Ivinghoe, as well as Norfolk, Seven Sisters, and the White Cliffs of Dover. This timeless tale has been reimagined and recreated like never before, allowing the audience to see a whole new side of Oz never before seen on stage.

From breath taking 360-degree shots to uninterrupted eight-to-ten-minute Steadicam takes in the Oz Ballroom, Jon M. Chu’s vision ensures that every emotional second of the performances is captured. This COVID-era production faced delays and was impacted by strikes, but it’s finally arriving on screens. Original cast icons Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth have passed the torch to a new generation of stars, and they certainly rise to the occasion.

Starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum and Johnathan Bailey. This experience was pretty unforgettable – so to all movie lovers, cinema go-ers and Wicked stans, please don’t miss this opportunity to see a truly wonderous reimagination of Wicked.

We will be screening Wicked from Fri 29 Nov, with a variety of matinees, after schools and early mornings to choose from. Plus, a chance to step onto a one-of-a-kind golden path for a photo opportunity…

P.s Want to test those vocals and get the lyrics down before it screens? Listen to the new album at the Spotify link here.