Ellis will be succeeded by Alexia Khadime, who will step into the role of the misunderstood Elphaba beginning May 11. Khadime previously played the role when Ellis brought her Elphaba to Broadway.

Wicked plays London's Apollo Victoria Theatre.

Alexia Khadime, who played Nala in Disney's The Lion King, has also been seen in productions of Whistle Down the Wind, Leader of the Pack and Cinderella: The Musical. Her screen credits include "Grange Hill," "Cleopatra Comin' Atcha" and "Dream Team."

Based on Gregory Maguire's novel, which turned every Oz myth inside out, Wicked explores the early life of the witches of Oz: Glinda and Elphaba. The two main characters meet at Shiz, a school where both hope to take up sorcery. Glinda is madly popular and Elphaba is, well, green. By a misunderstanding, they wind up roommates and, after an initial period of mutual loathing, begin to learn something about each other. Their life paths continue to intersect through a shared love, entry into the Emerald City and interaction with the Wizard himself. Eventually, their choices and convictions take them on widely different paths.

Wicked features a score by Stephen Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman, direction by Joe Mantello and musical staging by Wayne Cilento. The creative team also includes scenic design by Eugene Lee, costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Kenneth Posner, sound design by Tony Meola, projections by Elaine J. McCarthy, wig and hair design by Tom Watson, music supervision and arrangements by Stephen Oremus, orchestrations by William David Brohn and dance arrangements by James Lynn Abbott.

To book tickets contact the box office at 0844 826 8000 or visit www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk.