Wicked: Ivinghoe villagers on when Ariana Grande came to town
From Quiet Village To Oz: The Wicked Transformation
Wicked: Town Transforms into Oz for Ariana Grande Movie
While local rumors can be quite sensational, the thought of Ariana Grande shooting a major Hollywood film in Ivinghoe was a bit much for many residents to handle.
However, the skeptics couldn't ignore the truth when Munchkinland started to take shape in the Buckinghamshire countryside in 2023.
This was all connected to the filming of Wicked, a spin-off of The Wizard of Oz, which premiered in UK theaters on Friday. The movie features a star-studded cast, including Cynthia Erivo and Jeff Goldblum.
Residents of the charming village recall their experiences when the Universal film crew arrived.
Grammy Award-winning Grande portrays Galinda Upland, who ultimately transforms into Glinda the Good Witch.
For Russell Smith, the owner of Daisychain cafe on High Street, the flurry of activity seemed like an "invasion from another planet."
The 55-year-old noticed a temporary movie set being built while he was walking his dog along the canal path.
Usually, there's nothing in that spot, so we were wondering, 'What's going on here?'
It was truly remarkable to witness as it developed. It appeared to be a round village, with a yellow path leading in and out of it.
There were many cameras capturing the action, along with huge cranes and impressive lighting setups that illuminated the entire area. It was truly spectacular.
Aerial footage showcased the filming location and its vibrant homes with thatched roofs.
Throughout 2023, Russell Smith observed the transformation of the movie set while taking his dog for walks along the canal path.
The original Broadway production of Wicked debuted in 2003 and has since captivated around 65 million viewers globally.
Drone footage showcased the eclectic and vibrant thatch-roofed houses on the set before filming was paused due to the actors' strike in the US in July 2023.
"Dreaming Of Ariana Walking Into The Pub"
Nicola Johns, who runs the nearby pub The Village Swan, mentioned that local residents could hear the cast singing at various times throughout the day.
"We were all hoping Ariana Grande would show up at the pub, but unfortunately, she never did," says the 32-year-old.
There were moments that felt dreamlike as I strolled around, enveloped by the sounds of singing.
The number of people involved in constructing the set was truly astonishing.
Initially, you were a bit confused about what you were seeing and were trying to figure out what the setting was. Meanwhile, most others were searching for the iconic yellow brick road.
A bartender at a nearby pub, the Rose and Crown, mentioned that the crew stopped by for a drink whenever they had some free time.
The temporary Munchkinland was taken down at the close of fall 2023.
As the production transitioned to Sky Studios Elstree in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, the magical universe was dismantled and cleared away just as swiftly as it had been constructed.
Elphaba (played by Erivo) transforms into the Wicked Witch of the West, while Galinda (portrayed by Grande) takes on the role of Glinda the Good Witch.
Before the film's debut, Grande expressed to the press how deeply moved she felt about Wicked coming to theaters. Erivo also mentioned that being part of the cast has permanently altered their lives for the better due to their experiences while filming.
Mr. Smith believes that the effects on the 1,000 residents of Ivinghoe will endure for a significant time.
"People are sure to remember the time when Hollywood made its way to Ivinghoe," he notes.
