Harriet Thorpe will return to the West End production of Wicked as Madame Morrible, succeeding current star Louise Plowright. Due to illness, Plowright had to withdraw from the role. Thorpe will begin performances April 22 and play a limited engagement with the hit musical through November 16. Directed by Joe Mantello, featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, Wicked is currently playing at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.
In addition to Thorpe, Wicked stars Louise Dearman as Elphaba, Gina Beck as Glinda, Ben Freeman as Fiyero, Keith Bartlett as The Wizard, Christopher Howell as Doctor Dillamond, Sam Lupton as Boq and Katie Rowley Jones as Nessarose. Wicked tells the story of two young witches in Oz, and how the misunderstood green-skinned witch Elphaba (Dearman) is declared the Wicked Witch of the West.
Thorpe played the role of Madame Morrible from April 2008 through March 2010 in the West End company. Her stage credits include Cabaret, Crazy For You and Mamma Mia! Thorpe’s film and TV credits include French & Saunders, Absolutely Fabulous, The Brittas Empire, Murder Most Horrid and The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle.