British actor Cynthia Erivo has sparked online attention after starring in a Nollywood-inspired parody of Wicked on Saturday Night Live UK.
The sketch, titled “Nigerian Wicked,” reimagines the fantasy musical through the style of early-2000s Nigerian home-video productions, using dramatic dialogue, exaggerated performances and deliberately low-budget visual effects.
Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the Wicked film adaptations, takes on the role of Glinda in the parody, appearing in a blonde wig and pink tracksuit. Comedian Ayoade Bamgboye plays Elphaba, while Hammed Animashaun appears as the Wizard.
The story follows the two witches as they travel to the fictional land of “LagOz” to seek help from the Wizard. Their journey is filled with comic misunderstandings, dramatic confrontations and jokes about fashion and beauty expectations.
In one scene, Glinda slaps Elphaba and tells her she is “classless.” Later, the Wizard discovers that he has little to offer the visitors, adding to the sketch’s deliberately exaggerated humour.
The parody also incorporates familiar Nollywood-style production elements, including dramatic narration, abrupt transitions and elaborate closing credits.
The sketch was written by Bamgboye, who said he was overwhelmed by the response and praised Erivo’s performance and the wider production team.
According to UK comedy publication Chortle, the video had attracted more than 4.5 million views across social media platforms by the time of its report.
The sketch has brought together a globally recognised musical franchise and a distinctive Nigerian film aesthetic, using cultural references and comedy to reinterpret a familiar story for a wider audience.
