The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Jeff Goldblum, delights onlookers at St. Pancras International with surprise performance at The Wicked Christmas Tree
Today, to celebrate this Friday’s release of Universal Pictures’ new cinematic event, Wicked, St. Pancras International played host to the world-renowned actor and musician, Jeff Goldblum, who plays The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the film, with an impromptu festive performance that surprised and delighted travellers and shoppers.
In addition to being a world-renowned actor and pop culture icon, Goldblum is an impressive musical talent as well, performing as part of The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, his band known for their contemporary arrangements of classic jazz and American songbook standards. To the thrill of Christmas crowds at St. Pancras, Goldblum brought a moment of magic to one of London’s busiest stations with an intimate piano performance of a song from Wicked, as well as two classic Christmas tunes.
Goldblum’s performance is part of a wider Wicked takeover of St. Pancras International after it unveiled a Wicked themed Christmas Tree, in partnership with Universal Pictures, to celebrate the release of the most highly anticipated film of the holiday season. This performance is part of the weekly Wicked Wednesday lineup, which runs until Christmas. Elsewhere, props from the film can be found on display, and official Wicked products are for sale from the likes of Lush and Hamleys.
The thrillifying design of the St. Pancras tree this year is an ode to the Emerald City featured in Wicked. The film, based on the generation-defining stage musical, is the untold story of the witches of Oz, starring Grammy, Tony and Emmy winning powerhouse and Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Grammy winning global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda. The tree has been designed to complement St. Pancras’s architecture and features a giant handmade replica of The Wizard of Oz head from the film.
In taking to the St. Pancras piano, Goldblum followed in the footsteps of Grammy® award winners Alicia Keys and Nora Jones, and dynamic duo Rod Stewart and Jools Holland, who performed at St. Pancras International. Other world-class performers to have graced the famous St. Pancras piano include internationally acclaimed music giants Elton John and John Legend.
The public delights in the playing of the pianos at St. Pancras, which have become an iconic part of the station’s atmosphere and culture. The pianos were launched at St. Pancras International in 2012 when the City of London Festival celebrated its golden anniversary on a grand scale. They have remained available to play ever since, with Elton John gifting a piano to St. Pancras himself in 2016. Most recently, a new Yamaha was generously donated by Andrew Lloyd Webber Musicals.
St. Pancras International has become renowned for regular performances from stars, talented members of the local area and even visitors from afar. The station’s main Arcade, which is host to the pianos, has grown into a hub of cultural activity over the years, creating a strong sense of community and lively destination for exciting arts activations.
Wendy Spinks, Chief Commercial Officer at St. Pancras International and HS1 Ltd said: “Our station is proud to be known as a hot spot for musical performances, creating an exciting and lively experience for travellers and shoppers alike. This festive season our station has become a hub for all things Wicked with our beautiful Christmas tree inspired by the film of the season. We were delighted to host Jeff Goldblum, who has surprised our visitors and fans of the film with his electrifying performance.”
For more information on music, arts, culture and retail events happening in St. Pancras International station, visit https://stpancras.com/news-events and follow @StPancrasInternational on Instagram.