Something Wicked for Kerry

Kerry Ellis has proved more than a capable understudy on more than one occasion when illness struck the leading lady.

But today she is officially a West End star after triumphantly taking over the role of Elphaba in the musical Wicked at the Apollo Victoria.

The Suffolk-born actress, who now lives in Brockley, received a standing ovation last night for her performance as Elphaba, the nice "green" witch. She replaced American actress Idina Menzel who returned to the US after opening in the show in September.

Ellis, 27, came to attention when she was the understudy to the understudy of Eliza Dolittle in Sir Cameron Mackintosh's production of My Fair Lady at the National Theatre in 2001. Leading lady Martine McCutcheon was plagued by illness during the run and Ellis played Eliza rather more than she might have envisaged.

Roles in Queen musical We Will Rock You and Les Miserables followed. Then last autumn Menzel, who won a Tony Award for her role in Wicked on Broadway, was hit by a throat infection. Ellis performed the role of Elphaba nine times, leaving theatre fans on the chatroom of website What's On Stage in raptures before permanently taking over alongside Australian Helen Dallimore who plays the witch Glinda.

Some turned up at the Apollo Victoria expressly hoping to witness the understudy.

Ellis said: "Tonight felt like I was taking over. The cast was really supportive and embraced everything I did.

"I think the audience really appreciated that I was English, it was like 'a vote for the Brits!'

"Idina is older than me and has a lot more experience. But I think I bring a more edgy, rock feel to Elphaba." She added: "It was strange being the understudy again because I've been lucky to play parts without someone else doing the role."

Ellis had it written into her contract that she would take over when Menzel left: "I don't think I would have agreed to do the show otherwise."

Since the show opened on 7 September, Wicked, a Wizard Of Oz spin-off, has been seen by more than 250,000 people and taken almost £10 million at the box office.

The musical, based on Gregory Maguire's novel featuring the witches from Frank L Baum's classic Wizard Of Oz story, was the most popular West End musical over Christmas.