What unfolds is a truly outstanding and thunderous show. Packed with colour (mostly green), subtle humour and great songs. It follows the story of Elphaba ("Wicked Witch") from birth to the bucket of water thrown by Dorothy. When I saw the show Idena Menzel played the role of Elphaba and from the moment she appeared on stage the audience instantly warmed to her, sympathised with her and finally fell in love with her. Surprisingly plain and down to earth apart from one slight handicap (she's green) it's hard to believe this charming, studious, animal loving girl who looks after her wheelchair bound sister will become the character we all know as the "Wicked Witch". But then she also possess an unusual ability, an ability that makes her of interest to the mighty Wizard.

Elphaba strikes up an unlikely friendship with the "Good Witch" and budding socialite, Galinda, who's a bit like Barbie on overdrive and the two of them move to the Emerald City to serve the wizard. However, there is something decidedly odd going on in Oz, something that Galinda is prepared to ignore and work with in order to be successful but which Elphaba is determined to get to the bottom of and it's this which brings about  her downfall. During that downfall we learn how the lion lost his courage, why the tin man has no heart and just exactly who the straw man is.

Wicked is both a simple fantasy - the untold story of the witches of Oz and also a clever story of social exclusion, the abuse of power and manipulation of the masses for political ends. If that makes it sound too complex for children rest assured that it actually isn't and they'll love it every minute of the show. And if there's any lessons to be learned from Wicked they're probably firstly, not to take things at face value and secondly, everyone deserves the chance to fly!