How to Make Money from the Wicked Phenomenon: From Parties to Theatre Deals and Beyond

Wicked isn’t just a musical or a movie — it’s a global cultural phenomenon with a loyal fan base that stretches across generations. Now, with the highly anticipated Wicked: For Good Part Two film release coming November 21, 2025, plus sing-along cinema events touring UK cities like Cardiff and Guildford, the excitement around Wicked has reached new heights. This surge creates fresh opportunities for fans and entrepreneurs to profit from the craze.

In this ultimate guide, we’ll break down:

How to make money with Wicked-inspired events and costume ideas
The impact of the Wicked films on theatre ticket sales (and how you can benefit)
Where to find free or cheap tickets for Wicked shows and screenings
How to sell Wicked merch in the UK (and what’s in demand)
How to join in on the cultural wave through side hustles and fan experiences
How vintage Wicked and Oz merchandise has increased in value since the first film
Tips on capitalising on trending Wicked topics in 2025, including sing-along events and merchandise spikes

If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your passion for Wicked into cash — or just want to experience its magic on a budget — this article will help you defy gravity and make the most of one of the biggest musical franchises of our time.

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Making Money with Wicked-Inspired Events and Costumes

Host themed parties around new film releases and sing-along events
The upcoming Wicked: For Good movie release on November 21, 2025, and the ongoing Sing-Along Cinema tour across UK cities (including Cardiff and Guildford) have created perfect timing for Wicked-themed parties or community events. Hosting sing-along nights or costume contests tied to these events can drive strong attendance and revenue.

Sell costumes and merchandise with trending film tie-ins
With the movie starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande back as Elphaba and Glinda, fans are looking for merchandise that reflects the new film’s style. This includes Elphaba’s signature green face paint and Glinda-inspired crowns, which are trending on UK platforms like Etsy and Depop.

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Selling Your Wicked Merchandise in the UK — A Green Opportunity

Thanks to the box office success of the first Wicked film — which became the UK’s highest-grossing musical adaptation in 2024 — demand for themed merchandise has skyrocketed. Searches for items like “Wicked Elphaba costume UK,” “Glinda crown,” and “Defying Gravity merch” have spiked, especially near theatrical hubs such as London and Manchester.

What’s hot in 2025 UK Wicked merch?

• Green face paint and Elphaba hats, particularly for Halloween and sing-along events

• Handmade Glinda crowns and pink, sparkly wands

• Collectible Oz-themed jewellery and decor inspired by the film’s updated aesthetics

• Limited edition soundtrack vinyl and film posters

Selling these on Etsy UK, Depop, eBay UK, or Facebook Marketplace can be a lucrative side hustle. Just remember to keep your designs “inspired by” the characters to avoid copyright issues.

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The Rise in Value of Vintage Wicked and Oz Merchandise

Since the launch of the first Wicked film in 2024, there has been a noticeable surge in demand and prices for vintage Wicked and Oz-themed collectibles and merchandise — especially in the UK market. Fans and collectors alike are hunting for original theatre programmes, early Oz memorabilia, and rare Wicked items linked to the stage production and early film hype.

Specific Examples of Increasing Value:

1. West End Wicked Official Programme (2006 Original Printing)

   • Pre-2024 value: £10–£20

   • Current 2025 value: £60–£120

   • Where sold: eBay UK, Theatre memorabilia auction sites

   • Details: First edition programmes from the original London West End production are highly sought after, especially in very good condition.

2. Limited Edition Wicked West End Cast Posters (Signed)

   • Pre-2024 value: £30–£50

   • Current 2025 value: £150–£250+ depending on signatures

   • Where sold: eBay UK, theatre auction houses

   • Details: Posters signed by original cast members like Kerry Ellis have surged in demand post-film success.

3. Oz The Wizard of Oz 1939 Collectible Enamel Pins

   • Pre-2024 value: £10–£15

   • Current 2025 value: £25–£40

   • Where sold: Etsy UK, eBay UK

   • Details: Vintage pins featuring Dorothy and Emerald City now sell for double or more.

4. Wicked Original Soundtrack Vinyl (2003 UK Pressing)

   • Pre-2024 value: £20–£40

   • Current 2025 value: £60–£100

   • Where sold: Discogs UK, eBay UK

   • Details: Original cast recording vinyl is highly prized by fans and collectors.

5. Promotional Movie Posters from the 2024 Wicked Film

   • Current 2025 value: £50–£150 (limited edition prints)

   • Where sold: Official movie stores, eBay UK

   • Details: Limited prints from the first film are appreciating quickly due to limited runs.

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Wicked on Film vs Theatre: How the Movies Changed Everything

The 2024 Wicked film set new records as the highest-grossing musical movie in the UK, earning £59.6 million and surpassing classics like Mamma Mia!. This blockbuster success fueled ticket demand for the West End production, where theatre lotteries, student discounts, and group rates have become more competitive.

With Part Two of the film set to release this November, audiences are eager to revisit both the cinema and the theatre stage. This synergy means savvy fans can leverage the hype for discounts or start Wicked-related businesses around the buzz.

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How to Get Cheap or Free Wicked Tickets in the UK

With demand surging thanks to film and theatre buzz, tickets can sell fast and at a premium. However, here are your top ways to snag bargains:

• Digital lotteries and rush tickets — check TodayTix and official theatre sites daily

• Student discounts and group bookings — ideal for younger audiences and friends/family groups

• Attend weekday or matinee performances — typically cheaper and less crowded

• Participate in Sing-Along Cinema events — some offer free or discounted ticket bundles with giveaways

• Monitor resale platforms like Twickets and TicketSwap — for last-minute face-value deals

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Upcoming Wicked Events and Opportunities to Watch

• July 2025: Wicked Sing-Along Cinema tour visits UK cities including Cardiff, Dudley, and Guildford

• November 21, 2025: Wicked: For Good Part Two film premiere, with new merch and event tie-ins

• Holiday seasons: Increased demand for Wicked costumes and party hosting — perfect for selling or offering themed experiences

Keep an eye on our cheap cinema tickets here to go to the cinema for less money. 

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Conclusion

With Wicked dominating both film and theatre in the UK during 2025, there’s never been a better time to get involved — whether through themed events, merchandise sales, or savvy ticket hunting. By tapping into the latest trends, including the For Good sequel release and sing-along cinema events, you can ride the wave of this cultural phenomenon and create memorable, profitable experiences.

The post How to Make Money from the Wicked Phenomenon: From Parties to Theatre Deals and Beyond appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

The Invisible Downturn: MoneyMagpie Editor Spotlights Why White‑Collar Jobs Are Under Threat

Imagine being a well‑qualified, white‑shirted professional, having done everything by the book aiming for stability and often with large student debts – but your role feels disposable. That is the unsettling reality now facing many in finance, the media, consulting, tech, and corporate functions. While the headlines still celebrate “low unemployment” and “resilient labour markets,” the front lines tell a different story: hiring freezes, ghost postings, elongated job hunts, and shrinking bonus pools in the so-called safe zones of white‑collar work.

Vicky Parry, editor at MoneyMagpie, has been observing this trend closely. “It’s no longer just speculation,” she says. “Several of my friends have faced redundancy, and in my own team we’ve seen huge shifts in our daily tasks and expectations thanks to AI. It’s a wake‑up call that the traditional notion of ‘safe’ office work is changing fast.”

Welcome to the white‑collar recession — subtler, stealthier, but potentially more disruptive for the professional class than a traditional downturn. In this article, we’ll explain what it is, how to spot it, why it’s happening, and what it could mean for you and your career.

What Is a “White‑Collar Recession”?

Although it’s not a formal economic term, “white‑collar recession” captures a situation in which salaried, office‑based professionals in mid to high skill jobs face disproportionate disruption — even when the broader economy seems stable.

Characteristics include:

• Roles in professional services, back‑office or support functions being cut or frozen.

• Postings for mid‑career salaried jobs stagnating or vanishing.

• Bonus pools being squeezed, promotions being delayed.

• Firms investing in automation/AI for what used to be human work.

• Professionals feeling less secure than they expected.

Some UK commentators caution this may be more media framing than full‑blown recession. But the signals in the corporate world are meaningful.

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How to Spot the Cracks (UK‑Specific Early Warnings)

Here are some signs to watch out for in the UK job market:

Signal	What it looks like	Why it matters
Vacancies for professional roles shrinking	Job boards show fewer mid‑career corporate roles being advertised	Indicates firms are pausing or cutting head‑count in salaried professional functions
Junior/entry‑level roles disappearing	Graduate schemes, internships or junior analytic roles being scaled back	Fewer newcomers means less future pipeline and suggests structural shift
Bonus or merit increase cuts	Firms publicly citing cuts to variable pay in corporate and professional services	Even those still employed may feel the squeeze
Tasks & role definitions changing	Professionals being asked to work alongside AI tools or take on different tasks than recruited for	Signals disruption in how work is done
Fewer promotions, slower career progression	Mid‑career professionals staying longer in same role, fewer internal moves	Reflects flattening of organisational structures
Increased competition for fewer roles	More candidates chasing each salary‑band role, longer job searches	Less demand in middle‑skill professional jobs

For example, a recent BBC‑reported poll found that around 51% of UK adults were worried about AI taking or changing their job. The Standard

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Why It’s Happening (UK Focused)

There are multiple forces at work in the UK causing strain on white‑collar roles. Here are the key ones:

1. Over‑hiring & post‑COVID correction
During and after the pandemic many firms expanded professional functions (data, analytics, support) expecting growth to continue. As growth cooled, the excess roles are being pared back.

2. Macro pressures, cost‑cutting & weak growth
With inflation, higher interest rates and tighter margins, UK businesses are more cautious on hiring, bonuses and professional salary growth.

3. Organisational flattening & “leaner” firms
Some companies are removing layers of management, merging professional functions, or outsourcing tasks that were previously internal — all of which hit white‑collar roles disproportionately.

4. AI & automation: the big disruptor
This is perhaps the most significant driver:

• A report by PwC found that, in the UK, jobs requiring AI skills are growing 3.6 times faster than all jobs. PwC+1

• But at the same time, job openings in occupations more exposed to AI have grown more slowly — between 2019‑24 the cumulative growth in vacancies for AI‑exposed occupations was 12% compared with 50% for less exposed. PwC

• A report from the Tony Blair Institute estimated that AI could eventually displace between 1 million and 3 million UK jobs, although many may be offset by new roles. euronews+1

• Research also shows that white‑collar jobs are more vulnerable to generative AI than many blue‑collar jobs. For example, roles like medical secretaries, book‑keepers, payroll clerks show higher exposure. EuropaWire

5. Skill‑polarisation & middle‑tier squeezing
As routine professional tasks get automated, the “middle” of the salary spectrum (mid‑career professionals doing standard tasks) becomes vulnerable. The growth is increasingly at high skill (AI, strategy, oversight) or lower skill service/tech roles.

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Historical & UK‑Specific Echoes

While there’s no perfect UK precedent for a “white‑collar recession”, there are useful earlier examples:

• Automation in the 2000s and offshoring in the UK shifted many finance, accounting, admin and back‑office tasks overseas or into software.

• The UK’s labour market in recent years has faced structural change – for example, job postings for entry‑level roles in the UK have reportedly fallen sharply since the launch of ChatGPT in Nov 2022, especially in graduate/early‑career roles. The Times

• The November 2023 UK Government report “The impact of AI on UK jobs and training” (Department for Education) also flagged how AI exposure varies by occupation, how skills routes matter, and the regional differences in impact. GOV.UK

In other words: we’re seeing early versions of disruption now, which could scale further.

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Long‑Term Implications

For professionals

• The idea of a “safe” white‑collar job may weaken — even highly qualified professionals may find insecurity.

• Earnings growth may flatten or decline for roles that become automatable.

• Entry‑level and junior professionals may face fewer opportunities, meaning slower career progression.

• The need for continuous upskilling, especially in AI‑adjacent, hybrid roles, may become non‑optional.

• Psychological & identity impacts: if your profession is your identity, disruption can be unsettling.

For organisations

• Companies may shift more resources into front‑line, revenue generating, AI‑complemented roles and outsource or automate standard professional functions.

• Professional services firms may see hollowing out of standard mid‑tier roles.

• Investment in human capital will increasingly favour those with AI skills or oversight capabilities.

For the UK economy & society

• If a large segment of professional workers get stuck, incomes could stagnate, drag consumption, slow growth.

• Regional inequalities might deepen — advanced services clusters (e.g. London, South‑East) may capture growth while other regions lag.

• Labour market inefficiencies could rise (skills mismatches, under‑employment).

• Political and policy pressures: demands for reskilling, income protection, new working models may intensify.

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What You Should Do (If You’re in a White‑Collar Role in the UK)

1. Get comfortable with “human + AI” workflows
   Learn how to work alongside AI tools, not just compete. Being able to orchestrate, supervise or enhance AI means you stay relevant.

2. Deepen domain expertise and specialise
   The more niche, judgment‑heavy or context‑rich your role, the harder it is to automate. Move away from purely routine tasks.

3. Adopt lifelong learning and skill‑based mindset
   Degrees alone may not suffice — the UK labour market shows increasing emphasis on skills over formal qualifications. LSE Blogs
   Keep updating your skill‑set: data, AI literacy, strategic thinking, ethical governance.

4. Build resilience: diversify income & network
   Freelancing, side‑consulting, building your personal brand helps give buffer against disruption. Networking becomes even more important in tighter markets.

5. Prepare for role transition or evolution
   If your current role is heavily exposed to AI or disruption, think ahead: What adjacent roles could you shift into? Could you become the AI‑supervisor rather than the worker being replaced?

6. Stay aware of the signals
   Monitor job postings in your field, talk to your HR or talent function about skills strategy, watch bonus/raise trends. If your role’s tasks seem increasingly routine or AI‑amenable, it may be time to pivot.

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Final Thoughts & Caveats

While the term “white‑collar recession” is a framing device, not a formal economic category, the trends in the UK are real and warrant serious attention. Crucially:

• The impact will vary by sector, region (e.g. London vs other UK regions) and profession.

• Some counter‑forces remain: AI may create new roles, augment human work rather than purely replace.

• Timing matters: disruption may occur gradually, giving time for adaptation.

• Policy responses (skills strategy, regional investment, job‑transition support) will shape outcomes significantly.

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Asda’s ‘Winter Warmer’ £1 Meal For Over 60s Is Back!

Asda has brought back it’s popular cafe ‘winter warmer’ £1 meal deal to support the over 60s this winter, as they continue to face increased financial pressures during the cost-living crisis.

From 1st November until the end of February, Asda are offering people aged 60 and over the chance to enjoy soup, a roll and unlimited tea and coffees for just £1 in any of Asda’s 212 cafes. The retailer first launched Winter Warmers in November 2022 for two months in a bid to support older customers who were disproportionately affected by the spiralling living costs, with 65-to-74-year-olds experiencing a £163 year-on-year drop in disposable income in August 2022.

The offer is available all day, every day and will run alongside the Kids eat for £1’ offer which continues to be hugely popular, with more than 2.6 million meals served since its launch in June 2022, and half a million meals in 2024 alone.

The latest figures from Asda’s Christmas Community Tracker revealed that loneliness and isolation affected millions of older people, particularly at this time of year. One in ten people reported they weren’t sure if they would speak to anyone between December 15th and January 1st, and they also revealed they would go to a supermarket simply to speak to another person.

Jordan Cummings – Buying Manager, Cafes and Concessions at Asda said: “We know winter is set to be incredibly hard for thousands of pensioners as they continue to worry about how to keep themselves warm in the face of rising living costs and on a fixed income.

“Last year alone we sold over half a million meals showing the vital need for this initiative. By bringing Winter Warmers back this November, we hope it will continue to be just as impactful across the winter months for those who need it most, as well as offering a relaxed social environment to come and chat to others.”

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