IT'S all about popular.

And unless you have been living in Munchkin Land you could not have failed to hear about the musical juggernaut that is Wicked.

The UK tour blew into the Liverpool Empire like the dimension busting twister which swept Dorothy along to Oz.

Ashleigh Gray's powerhouse vocals were pure magic in the role of Elphaba and she brought great compassion for the misunderstood green witch who went on to become the Wicked Witch of the West.

While Emily Tierney's Glinda was a hoot as the seemingly self-centred witch with a heart with perfectly poised comic timing which brought a light relief to the show which is dominated by the themes of inequality, subterfuge and oppression.

And the ensemble, who looked like they had walked off the catwalks of Milan Fashion Week, helped to bring Oz to life with the creative costumes from Shiz University to Oz and the all important flying monkeys.

With a striking set design more akin to a West End production than the usual tour downgrade for big shows there was something to captivate the eye in every corner with striking lighting and more than a smattering of dry ice to set the scene.

The show's popularity meant the theatre was packed out and so it should be for a true tour-de-force performance which captivated the audience from the very first note.

I'm positively emerald with envy of anyone with tickets.

The production runs until Saturday October 11 at the Liverpool Empire.