WEST End and Broadway musical Wicked is returning to Cardiff next year to tell the untold story of the Witches of Oz.

The multi record breaking and critically acclaimed tour will return to Wales Millennium Centre from Wednesday, October 31, 2018 to Saturday, November 24, 2018.

As one of the most successful productions to come to the venue, it was seen by more than 90,000 people during its showing in March and April, 2014.

Executive producer Michael McCabe said: “We were overwhelmed by the incredible response from audiences and critics alike when we first brought Wicked to Cardiff for the Welsh premiere in 2014, and it is extraordinary to think that more than 90,000 people came and saw us.

"The whole team at Wales Millennium Centre showed such tremendous enthusiasm and support, and we’re all really delighted to return to this stunning venue.”

Managing director at Wales Millennium Centre, Mathew Milsom, said: “It is a pleasure to be bringing Wicked back to our stage next year.

"One of the smartest modern musicals, Wicked is packed full of show-stoppers, spectacular design, and certainly complements our varied programme for 2018.

"It is sure to be a highlight for musical-lovers and we look forward to welcoming the cast and crew back to Wales Millennium Centre.”

Wicked tells the untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two sorcery students and their adventures in Oz, which will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Based on the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire that re-imagines the stories and characters originally created by L Frank Baum in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Wicked has become a global success featuring technical wizardry, show-stopping costumes and well-known songs by three-time Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz.

Wicked is already the 17th longest running show in West End theatre history. Around the world, Wicked has now been seen by more than 50 million people in 15 countries, and won more than 100 major awards.

Wicked has music and lyrics by multi Grammy and Academy Award-winner Stephen Schwartz (Godspell and Disney’s Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Enchanted) and is based on the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire and adapted for the stage by Winnie Holzman.

Musical staging is by Tony Award-winner Wayne Cilento and the production is directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello.

Tickets go on sale on Monday, March 27 and cost from £20.

For more information visit wmc.org.uk