Confirmed: Louise Dearman to takeover as Elphaba in Wicked from October 2012!

Louise Dearman has made history today as it has been announced that she will return to the London production of Wicked to play Elphaba! This means she will be the first actress to ever play both parts. She will begin going green from Monday October 29th 2012. Lets not forget that this means the incredible Rachel Tucker will be leaving the production. She has been a mind blowing Elphaba and Louise truly has big shoes to fill! It is presumed that Rachel's last performance as Elphaba will be on Saturday 27th October 2012 but an official announcement is yet to be made.

Louise Dearman said: "As an actress, you strive to challenge yourself to play as many diverse roles as possible throughout your career, and right now I feel like the luckiest girl in the history of musical theatre. I still can't quite believe that in two months' time I'll be back in Wicked, but this time I won't come and go by Bubble, I'll be on a broomstick!" 

UK Executive Producer Michael McCabe said: "From her wonderful performance as Glinda, audiences already know that Louise possesses a stunning voice and remarkable acting abilities, so we are genuinely excited to now welcome her back to Wicked as Elphaba. We have all been awestruck by the way Louise has channelled her incredible talents to inhabit this iconic role, and I've no doubt that audiences will be equally thrilled". 

Louise also tweeted to say 'You know you shouldn't always listen to rumours,they aren't ALWAYS true... BUT THIS ONE IS!!!! I can officially say that I am indeed returning to Oz.....as ELPHABA! I'm so thrilled,thank you for your amazing tweets! I'm totally overwhelmed by the incredible response from you all I have HUGE boots to fill when the incredible powerhouse that is Rachel Tucker leaves but will give my all to make her and you guys proud'. She went on to say how she couldn't move and was starting to feel emotional.

The multi award-winning Wicked has already been seen by over 4.5 million people since its West End premiere in 2006 at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. It is now one of the Top 20 longest-running musicals in West End history.