Cynthia Erivo brings the magic of musical theatre back to where it all began
The Wicked star surprised students in emotional BBC visit to Her Old London School
Tony, Grammy, Emmy and most importantly West End Wilma Award–winning superstar Cynthia Erivo brought a touch of Broadway sparkle back to South London this week as she made an emotional return to her old secondary school — and left students absolutely spellbound.
The Wicked movie’s very own Elphaba visited La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls’ School for a heartfelt feature filmed by the BBC, surprising the school choir mid-rehearsal with an unforgettable performance they will be talking about for years.
A Wickedly Magical Surprise
The students were busy rehearsing “For Good” — the iconic duet from Wicked — when Erivo quietly slipped into the room. As soon as she joined in with her unmistakable powerhouse vocals, the girls froze, gasped and then burst into delighted screams.
Imagine practising your school musical… and Elphaba herself walks in.
Cynthia Erivo Remembers Her Roots
Erivo took time to look through old school production photos, reminiscing about shows she performed in as a teenager — long before her star turn in The Color Purple on Broadway or her work on the Wicked film adaptation.
“This is where it all started,” she told the students.
“This room, this choir, this school — it gave me the confidence to dream.”
She spoke candidly about the importance of arts education and encouraged the young performers to pursue their ambitions wholeheartedly, whether on the West End stage, behind the scenes, or beyond.
A Masterclass in Inspiration
The visit wasn’t just a surprise — it was a full-circle moment. Teachers recalled her talent as a child, while students were visibly moved to see someone from their own community achieving global success in theatre and film.
The BBC cameras captured every emotional beat: the stunned faces, the tears, the laughter, and the soaring harmonies as Cynthia sang alongside the choir that once nurtured her own voice.
Why This Matters for London Theatre Fans
With excitement building around the release of the Wicked movies — and Erivo’s star continuing to rise — this heartwarming school visit serves as a reminder of just how far she has come, and how powerful arts programmes can be for young performers.
This story is already resonating across social media, with theatre lovers celebrating Erivo’s humility, generosity and ongoing love for her London roots.
Take a look at the video to see what happened
