Wicked at Sunderland Empire is an absolute must-see for musical fans everywhere

Smash-hit musical arrived on Wearside in style on Wednesday as the not-so Wicked Witch of the West wowed audiences in what is undoubtly one of the best and most-loved musicals of recent years.

Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman's hugely popular stage show is based on the acclaimed novel by Gregory Maguire, imagining a redemption arc for one of fictional history's most legendary villains.

It's a huge year for the popular show - it will celebrate its 18th anniversary on the West End this Friday and is already the 10th longest-running show in West End history. Later this year, the first of a two-part film adaption will hit cinema screens starring pop superstar Ariana Grande.

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But after seeing the stage show, audiences will be left wondering how the movie will manage to capture the magic of the stage show. This is a musical that has it all - from stunning sets, epic costumes to laughs and songs that make the hairs on your neck stand up straight.

At the centre of it all is Laura Pick playing the Wicked Witch Elphaba - made famous by the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz. But whereas the film depicted the witch as one of cinema's all-time great villains, the musical is more of a redemption arc.

It's the mark of good story telling to make you feel sympathy for the iconic witch. But the show cleverly skirts around the events of the movie - bringing new life to some fan favourites like the Tin Man and the Scarecrow - to bring out a brand new perspective.

Certainly, after viewing, you'll find it difficult to watch The Wizard of Oz in the same way. Pick's charming performance makes the character impossible not to root for - she's just so relatable; awkward at times, bullied at others but always irresistibly fun. It's no wonder she has played the role more than 350 times.

Opposite Pick is Sarah O'Connor - known for performances on stage in Les Misérables and Mama Mia - as Glinda, the movie's 'Good Witch'. The two actress' chemistry is undeniable.

They bounce off each other so well and their relationship is at the heart of the show, bringing forward both humour and touching moments. The track Popular is perhaps the best example of this - it's just so, so good and had the audience in stitches.

Vocally, Pick and O'Connor compliment each other well - and nowhere is that better shown than in Wicked's best-known track, Defying Gravity. It's a tremendous end to the first act that will leave audiences desperate for more. If there's one criticism that can be thrown at Wicked, it's that no other song is able to match Gravity for its impact - but then, there are few songs in any musical that can.

Audiences will also be delighted by the set - in particular the booming, terrifying animatronic head of the Wizard of Oz himself. No wonder the citizens of Oz were so convinced the wizard was great and powerful - by the end, so was most of Wearside!

Credit too must go to the costumes, with the prosthetics for the famous flying monkeys particularly impressive. The actors in these roles also deserve praise for their acrobatic performances.

In the tradition of the Wizard of Oz, there's also a good twist. While the movie revealed the so-called wizard to be nothing more than a boffin with a smoke machine, the musical goes one step further. I won't put any spoilers here, save to say it once again involves the wizard himself - brought to life by the excellent Simeon Truby, who does a fantastic job of being charming and sweet moment to utterly ruthless the next.

Musical aficionados will also spot a clever reference to the movie Frozen as Glinda urges Elphaba to 'let it go' - with Elsa voice actor Idina Menzel originating the role in the first ever stage production back in 2003.

All in all, Wicked is a must-see for any musical fan. The cast was waved off with a lengthy standing ovation, and it was one that was much-deserved.

The production runs at the Sunderland Empire until Sunday, October 20.