Award-winning actress and singer Cynthia Erivo took the stage on "SNL U.K." to deliver a comedic twist on the hit musical "Wicked." While Erivo famously portrays Elphaba opposite Ariana Grande's Glinda in the Oscar-nominated feature film adaptation, her hosting appearance saw her swap roles entirely. Stepping into the shoes of the bubbly Glinda, Erivo headlined a lo-fi, melodramatic spoof titled "Nigerian Wicked."
Accompanied by co-star Ayoade Bamgboye, who took over the role of Elphaba, Erivo leaned fully into a Nollywood aesthetic. Dressed in a bright pink velour tracksuit and a blonde wig, the performer traded the grand orchestrations of Broadway and Hollywood for exaggerated, soap-opera-style physical comedy. The parody reframed the familiar story of the two contrasting witches, sending them on an altered quest across the realm to visit the Wizard of LagOz.
'Nigerian Wicked' Sketch Cast and Roles
| Performer | Sketch Role | Character Inspiration |
|---|---|---|
| Cynthia Erivo | Glinda | Glinda the Good |
| Ayoade Bamgboye | Elphaba | Elphaba Thropp |
| Hammed Animashaun | The Wizard | The Wizard of LagOz |
A Melodramatic Spin on Classic 'Wicked' Moments
The sketch humorously dismantled several key scenes from the original musical. In the traditional production, Elphaba and Glinda channel their mutual animosity into the high-energy duet "What Is This Feeling." For "Nigerian Wicked," the musical conflict was replaced with straight slapstick, as Erivo's Glinda abruptly delivered a slap across Bamgboye's face.
When Bamgboye's Elphaba protested the sudden physical strike, Erivo retorted in character, stating that it was because she was classless. The iconic makeover sequence received a similar Nollywood-style overhaul. As Elphaba worried aloud about the mounting expenses of her transformation, Glinda reassured her that everything would pay off once they visited the Wizard, prompting Elphaba to nervously object that she was still a virgin.
The Journey to LagOz and the Quest for Gravity-Defying Demands
The narrative pushed forward as the duo arrived at the "emerald, white and emerald city." Upon reaching their destination, each character laid out their personal demands for the ruler of the realm. Erivo's Glinda insisted on receiving a luxury Birkin bag, while Bamgboye's Elphaba requested a "skinny BBL."
Actor Hammed Animashaun provided the voiceover for the Wizard, delivering a running commentary that put a satirical spin on the musical's most famous anthem, exclaiming that she wanted a cosmetic procedure that defies gravity. However, their high expectations quickly fell apart upon meeting the Wizard in person. The witches soon discovered that the ruler had no real wealth, with Glinda exposing his lack of funds by pointing out that his luxury watch was merely an imitation timepiece she dubbed a "nolex."
Embracing Fan Tropes with an Explosive Conclusion
Throughout the sketch, the performance gave deliberate nods to audience members who romantically "ship" the two lead witches. After the duo had previously shared an almost-kiss during their makeover scene, they returned to Shiz to contemplate their next move following the disappointing encounter with the Wizard.
When Glinda questioned what they should do now, the two characters leaned in dramatically to finally share a romantic kiss. The moment was abruptly cut short by an over-the-top digital explosion effect across the screen. Animashaun’s booming voiceover punctuated the scene by dubbing the parody "Nigerian Wicked: LGBTQ!" to close out the sketch.
Following the broadcast, Erivo's performance highlighted the sketch show's approach of letting prominent guest hosts parody the very projects that defined their recent careers, giving audiences a humorous, alternate perspective on the theatrical blockbuster.
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Source: Variety
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