Wicked, the musical phenomenon coming to Manchester next month, has already sold more than 100,000 tickets, with many performances now sold out.
The 10-week engagement at the Palace will run from September 12 until November 16 and preparations are well under way:
The spectacular, brand new set has arrived in the city following a 13,000-mile journey by truck and ship having been built in both Canada and New York.
More than 250 costumes, 85 wigs, 215 pairs of shoes, 112 hats, 89 pairs of gloves and 84 prosthetic masks are nearing completion in workshops all around the country.
A hundred people are required either on- or off-stage for every performance and at least a quarter of these will be local to Manchester.
The cast, led by Nikki Davis-Jones (Elphaba) and Emily Tierney (Glinda), arrive for technical rehearsals on September 2.
Following the Manchester touring première, this gigantic production will then travel almost 4000 miles across the UK and Ireland as part of a major two-year tour.