Attention all Ozians! London’s iconic Royal Borough of Greenwich has had a Wicked makeover, temporarily becoming “GreenWitch” to celebrate Universal Pictures’ new spectacular cinematic event, which soars into cinemas on November 22.
The Mayor of Greenwich, Jit Ranabhat, unveiled a plaque on Tuesday 12th November to launch the enchanting new name. The Mayor was also joined by Professor Jane Harrington, Vice Chancellor, University of Greenwich and Barrie Kelly, Chief Executive, Visit Greenwich.
From now until the 24th November, fans and visitors to the newly named “GreenWitch” can collect a map (either from the GreenWitch Tourist Information Centre or by downloading from the visitgreenWitch website) and embark on a spell-binding walking trail, spotting several road signs and directional signs as soon as you come out of Greenwich Station, up through GreenWitch High Road and past the perfectly named The Green Café and GreenWitch Picturehouse cinema. Visitors will be dazzled by the magical roof installation at GreenWitch Market, with an enthralling new sign at each entrance to the market. After this, fans and visitors can carry on to the GreenWitch Tourist Information Centre and GreenWitch Foot Tunnel to view the newly unveiled plaque, before making their way past the University of GreenWitch to see the final Ozian signs at the top of King William Walk.
Partners involved in “GreenWitch” include VisitGreenwich, Royal Borough of Greenwich, Greenwich Market, University of Greenwich, Greenwich Student’s Union, Greenwich Picturehouse.
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Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her unusual green skin who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman gilded by privilege and ambition who has yet to discover her true heart.
The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
The film also stars Oscar® winner Michelle Yeoh as Shiz University’s regal headmistress and Dean of Sorcery Madame Morrible; Olivier Award winner and Emmy nominee Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers) as Fiyero, a roguish and carefree prince; Tony nominee Ethan Slater (Broadway’s Spongebob Squarepants, Fosse/Verdon) as Boq, an altruistic Munchkin student; Marissa Bode in her feature-film debut as Nessarose, Elphaba’s favoured sister; and pop culture icon Jeff Goldblum as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.