Palladium Legend GARY WILMOT Returns To The Iconic Theatre This Summer To Play THE WIZARD In THE WIZARD OF OZ This Summer!
GARY joins the previously announced JASON MANFORD and ASHLEY BANJO
Further casting to be announced - Performances begin Friday 23 June 2023
Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group are thrilled to announce that Gary Wilmot, one of the all-time legends of The London Palladium and a star of the annual Palladium Panto, will play the title role in The Wizard of Oz this summer. Gary will star as The Wizard and Professor Marvel, joining the previously announced Jason Manford (the Cowardly Lion) and Ashley Banjo (the Tin Man).
Michael Harrison, the producer of the smash-hit Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, presents Curve’s brand-new production of one of the world’s most beloved musicals, beginning performances on Friday 23 June (Press Night: Thursday 6 July).
Gary has starred in a string of television series making him a household name as a comic-actor and singer. He has been a subject of This is Your Life, hosted the Laurence Olivier awards and won a TMA best actor nomination in his musical theatre debut as Bill Snibson in Me And My Girl.
His many theatre credits include The Wizard in Wicked (Apollo Theatre), Jethro in Prince of Egypt (The Dominion) and Badger in The Wind in the Willows (The London Palladium).
Gary’s star turn in the Christmas Palladium Pantomime – which includes as Queen Nigella in Jack & The Beanstalk, Dame Gary in Pantoland at The Palladium, Mrs Crumble in Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs and Sarah The Cook in Dick Whittington - has cemented his place as one of the legends of the iconic theatre.
Michael Harrison said “I’m delighted today to announce that Gary Wilmot will join Jason Manford and Ashley Banjo in the thrilling new production of The Wizard of Oz. Gary has been one of the stars of The Palladium panto for the last 6 years, and audiences have loved his natural sense of comedy and mischief. I know he will bring these qualities to The Wizard, and his casting only adds to the magic in store at The London Palladium this summer.”
Further star casting is to be announced.
Join Dorothy and Toto on an unforgettable adventure as they are swept over the rainbow to the merry old land of Oz.
Featuring the iconic original score from the Oscar-winning MGM film, including Over The Rainbow, Follow The Yellow Brick Road and We're Off To See the Wizard - with additional songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice - this spectacular production will be a magical experience for all the family.
Directed by Nikolai Foster (Billy Elliot The Musical, A Chorus Line) The Wizard of Oz has choreography by Shay Barclay, Set Designer is Colin Richmond, Projection Designer is Douglas O’Connell, Costume and Puppet Designer is Rachael Canning, Lighting Designer is Ben Cracknell, Sound Designer is Adam Fisher, Creative Consultant is Mark Kaufman, Musical Director and Musical Supervisor is George Dyer, Casting Director is Kay Magson CDG, Props Supervisor is Marcus Hall Props and Wigs, Hair and Makeup Designer is Elizabeth Marini.
Follow the yellow brick road next summer to The London Palladium!
Michael Harrison, Gavin Kalin with David Mirvish, Crossroads Live, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Rupert Gavin & Mallory Factor by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Limited, present the Curve production of The Wizard of Oz.
LISTINGS
The London Palladium 8 Argyll Street, London W1F 7TF
Music by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg
Additional Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Additional Lyrics by Tim Rice
Adaption by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams
Orchestrations by David Cullen
Orchestrations adapted by George Dyer
From the book by L. Frank Baum
Based Upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by Warner Media, and produced with the permission of Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and EMI Music Publishing
Director Nikolai Foster
Choreographer Shay Barclay
Set Designer Colin Richmond
Projection Designer Douglas O’Connell
Costume and Puppet Designer Rachael Canning
Lighting Designer Ben Cracknell
Sound Designer Adam Fisher
Creative Consultant Mark Kaufman
Musical Director and Musical Supervisor George Dyer
Casting Director Kay Magson CDG
Props Supervisor Marcus Hall Props
Wigs, Hair and Makeup Designer Elizabeth Marini
Cast
The Cowardly Lion: Jason Manford
Tin Man: Ashley Banjo
The Wizard/Professor Marvel: Gary Wilmot
Further Casting to be announced
Performances
Wednesday – Saturday 7:00pm
Thursday & Saturday matinees 2:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm & 5:00pm
Ashley Banjo will not be appearing in the performances on 19 & 20 July
Jason Manford will not be appearing in the performance on 26 August
THE WIZARD OF OZ Tickets available here!
Follow THE WIZARD OF OZ on Facebook: @WizardOfOzTheMusical, Twitter: @yellowbrickroad and Instagram: @yellowbrickroad.
No Comment