With themes of self-esteem, identity, prejudice, fake news, and friendship, the stage musical Wicked, at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, is inspired by L. Frank Baum’s classic story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and has twice been voted ‘Best Theatre Production for Schools’ by teachers at the annual School Travel Awards.
The production’s acclaimed cultural learning programme, Wicked Active Learning, promotes curriculum enrichment, personal development, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, self-confidence, career pathways, and the delivery of cultural capital.
The programme supports classroom-based learning through a range of free resources and lesson plans, and learning outside the classroom with ticket discounts, exclusive benefits, official workshops, Q&As, and free resources to assist in the organisation of school trips.
A venue preview video and school trip guide provide everything needed to complete a risk assessment and book an enriching school trip.
Tickets, workshops, and Q&As can be booked directly with the production’s in-house education team, who can be contacted via telephone, email, or live chat for expert advice and support.
Classroom-based learning
Free downloadable lesson plans, script extracts, production images, and theatre-maker career videos support the delivery of SMSC, PSHE and citizenship, literacy, and oracy teaching, as well as English, music, drama, and art and design programmes of study.
Lesson plans inspired by, and themed to, the production include:
- Anti-Bullying (KS2-4) lesson pack
- Diversity + Inclusion (LKS2, UKS2) lesson pack
- Fake News + Propaganda (Primary) lesson pack
- Self-Confidence (Primary) lesson plan
- English (KS2-4) lesson packs
- ESOL/EFL English (Intermediate) lesson pack
- Drama (KS3-4) lesson plans
In support of English and Art + Design teaching, there are also free written and visual resource packs for teachers, designed to inspire further lesson ideas.
The 26-page English Teacher resource pack looks at the literary inspirations behind the musical, other famous prequels and sequels, the witches and wizards of myth and legend, the magical worlds of fantasy fiction, the history of magic, and the enduring legacy of Baum’s ‘Oz’.
The Art + Design Teacher resource pack looks at the production’s acclaimed design elements, including set, costume and lighting.
Music learners can watch a free video of composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz discussing the musical themes and inspirations of his score, including the song ‘Defying Gravity’, which is a set work for Pearson Edexcel GCSE music and included (together with ‘The Wizard & I’ and ‘No Good Deed’) in the repertoire of the ABRSM’s new ‘Singing for Musical Theatre ARSM’ diploma.
Learning outside the classroom
A class or year group trip to Wicked provides an enriching live London theatre experience, supporting cultural and social education, personal development, self–confidence, the capacity to think imaginatively and creatively, and the delivery of cultural capital.
Benefits provided to schools/colleges include:
- Book directly with the in-house education team
- Save over 60% on school class and year group tickets
- Free teacher ratios (10:1 secondary / 5:1 primary)
- Extra tickets purchasable at the applicable school group rate
- Official workshops (Wellbeing, Anti-Bullying, and Musical Theatre)
- Post-show Q&As
- Free venue preview video
- Free school trip guide including risk assessment supporting resources
- Coach/minibus set down/pick up directly outside the venue
- One minute from National Rail and London Underground stations
A school trip to Wicked also provides the opportunity to visit one of London’s most unique theatres and heritage buildings, originally built as a ‘Super-Cinema’ in 1930.
A detailed history of this 2,328-seat Art Deco venue is included in the free resources.
For more information, call 020 7183 5109, email Hello@WickedActiveLearning.co.uk or visit www.WickedActiveLearning.co.uk
Savings and Benefits featured may not apply when booking through third party agents, and only apply to the London production. See website for details and T&Cs. ©2023 WLPL. All rights reserved.
