Wicked (PG)

Please note: The showing will start promptly at the time advertised. There will be no adverts running beforehand

The stars enchant as young rival witches in this slick first instalment of a two-part adaptation of the musical juggernaut, Wicked.

Glinda the Good Witch (Ariana Grande), brings news that the Wicked Witch, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), is dead. Born with green skin, Elphaba is treated with scorn by peers, and her anger manifests in uncontrolled levitation. As she escorts her sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) to Shiz University, her power unleashes itself, catching the eye of Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), a sorcery professor who takes Elphaba under her wing. Glinda watches with jealousy, and as the polar opposite students become roommates, a rivalry begins.

Wicked matches its polished razzle-dazzle with real heart. Driven by knockout performances, this charm assault zips along so enjoyably that you almost wish it were longer (your bladder may disagree). With its timely themes of bullying, corrupt leaders and the demonisation of difference, this is a film that promises a froth of pink and green escapism but delivers considerably more in the way of depth and darkness. It has been a long production journey, but reaching the end of this winding yellow brick road has yielded movie gold.