Liverpool audiences have always been spell bound by Wicked.

We are not alone - 55 million people across the world have loved it, too.

That magical touch is evident again as a packed house and standing ovation welcomed the opening night of its current run.

More than 63,000 tickets have been sold.

What makes Wicked special is that it ticks all the production boxes. A musical for all seasons and all ages.

A huge mechanical dragon high up over the stage is a welcome sign that theatre-goers are in for a visual treat.

This show is based on the novel Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.

It looks at issues from friendship to bullying and not taking people on face value.

The story is a backdrop to the lives of L.Frank Baum’s characters in The Wizard of Oz - the good witch and wicked witch.

There’s even cameos from the Scarecrow, Tin Man and a fleeting Lion.

The musical is cleverly written, beautifully performed and the standard of songs is of the highest West End and Broadway quality.

On press night Amy Webb took over from Amy Ross the regular green witch, Elphaba.

And Amy put in a spell-binding performance.

I will soon be running out of my quota of ‘spell’ puns.

There are so many layers to the storyline when Elphaba is born.

She is ‘emerald green.’

We feel her isolation but also determination especially in the Harry Potter-esque school scenes where she supports the much-maligned teacher Professor Dillamond who happens to be a goat (I’m not kidding)..

Elphaba can be feisty yet sensitive - wicked and yet caring.

It is a dream role for any actress and Amy Webb is outstanding.

And then there’s the goodie two shows, the white-adorned witch Glinda played with delightful nuances from Helen Woolf.

Her comic timing is spot on as she arrives like a panto fairy godmother from on high.

But she is also a sassy beauty.

She is caught in a tangled love triangle Stephen Pinder, who we all know from Brookside, has made the role of the Wizard of Oz his own. Stephen would make a great Dr who on this showing.

He also plays the talking goat (I’m not kidding).

The songs by Stephen Schwartz are timeless from the powerful orchestration and soaring vocals of Defying Gravity to the beautiful I’m Not That Girl.

Director Joe Mantello keeps a splendid pace throughout the two hour 45 minute masterclass in musical storytelling.

A superb orchestra and some flying monkeys on a set on the wide stage be-decked by clocks add to the attraction.

And so to my final pun. This is a magical show you should try and catch during its three week spell.

Four stars - Wickedly Wonder-full!

On until March 31.

For more information or tickets call the box office on 0844 871 3017 or visit http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire/