Outstanding performances in Wicked, the untold story of the Witches of Oz

Basically, it is fantastic.

The story is simple but sweet and at times very moving, as we discover how the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz became so wicked.

Despite starting life on Broadway, the tour production has lost none of its magic and the sets and costumes are incredible.

Some of the scenes, in particular when Elphaba (Nikki Davis-Jones) meets the Wizard of Oz, are completely mind-blowing and you wonder if there has been some form of sorcery involved in the making of the show.

The two female leads; Davis-Jones and Emily Tierney who plays Glinda the Good, are sensational, and their unlikely friendship which is the central point of the play is very convincing and heart-warming.

Stand-out musical numbers include ‘No Good Deed’ from Davis-Jones, which the actress says is one of her favourites to sing, and the show-stopping ‘Defying Gravity’.

Both women are very funny in their own way - Elphaba uses sarcasm and dry wit to deal with a lifetime of bullying, which many people in the audience can probably relate to, whereas Glinda is more of a Legally Blonde type character.

Their friendship, a tricky love triangle and a meeting with the Wizard of Oz have dramatic consequences which, whether they realise it or not, the audience is already familiar with.

Throughout the show there are references to the original Wizard of Oz story which for anyone who remembers it will love.

You feel a little thrill every time an item from the unmistakable witch’s get-up that we know so well makes its first appearance.

Other cast members including Liam Doyle as Fiyero, Marilyn Cutts as Madame Morrible, Dale Rapley as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Carina Gillespie as Nessarose and George Ure as Boq all give sleek performances and help make the show a really exciting production to watch.

At the press night at Milton Keynes Theatre, the cast received a standing ovation, and everyone who saw it left the theatre ‘flying high’.

It’s a mesmerising show and a wicked night out for all the family.

At Milton Keynes Theatre until March 8. For tickets go to http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/wicked/milton-keynes-theatre/#performance_tabs=tab_calendar,tab_performances