Jason Manford and Ashley Banjo to star in ‘The Wizard of Oz’
The pair will play the Cowardly Lion and the Tin Man in the summer production. Following performances at the London Palladium, the musical will tour nationwide.
Somewhere over the rainbow, there’s a West End cast. Jason Manford and Ashley Banjo will play two of Dorothy’s friends in The Wizard of Oz. The musical begins performances at the London Palladium on 23 June, ahead of an opening night on 6 July, and performances to 3 September.
Jason Manford will play the Cowardly Lion. Although he's best known as a comedian, he’s also starred in Curtains at the Wyndham’s Theatre, and a nationwide tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Ashley Banjo will make his musical debut as the Tin Man. The Diversity member and choreographer rose to fame on season three of Britain’s Got Talent. He’s since starred in Pantoland at the Palladium at the London Palladium. Further casting for The Wizard of Oz will be revealed later.
The Wizard of Oz follows Dorothy and Toto as they are swept from Kansas to the fantasy land. In Oz, Dorothy meets a tin man, a lion, and a scarecrow, and the quartet journey down the yellow brick road in the hopes of Dorothy returning home.
The musical features songs by Harold Arlen and E Y Hardburg, including "Follow The Yellow Brick Road,” as well as additional songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, including "Red Shoes Blues" and "Farewell to Oz." Find out more about Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals.
Nikolai Foster directs the musical, with choreography by Shay Barclay, set design by Colin Richmond, costume and puppet design by Rachael Canning, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, and sound design by Adam Fisher.
The Wizard of Oz is at the London Palladium.
Photo credit: The Wizard of Oz cast (Photo by Marc Brenner)
Frequently asked questions
What is The Wizard of Oz about?
After a hit run at The London Palladium, The Wizard of Oz returns to the West End for 38 performances only, starring JLS singer Aston Merrygold as The Tin Man and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner, The Vivienne, as The Wicked Witch of the West.
How long is The Wizard of Oz?
The running time of The Wizard of Oz is 2hr 20min. Incl. 1 interval
Where is The Wizard of Oz playing?
The Wizard of Oz is playing at Gillian Lynne Theatre. The theatre is located at 166 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5PW.
How do you book tickets for The Wizard of Oz?
Book tickets for The Wizard of Oz on London Theatre.
What's the age requirement for The Wizard of Oz?
The recommended age for The Wizard of Oz is Ages 6+. Children under 4 years of age (including babes in arms) will not be admitted into the auditorium. All persons aged 16 or under must be accompanied by an adult and may not sit on their own within the auditorium..
Who wrote The Wizard of Oz?
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams wrote the musical, the original book is by L. Frank Baum.
Who directed The Wizard of Oz?
Nikolai Foster stages the show.
What songs are in The Wizard of Oz?
The musical features songs from the Oscar-winning film, including We’re Off To See The Wizard, and Over The Rainbow.
Is The Wizard of Oz appropriate for kids?
The Wizard of Oz is a show that is fun for the whole family. The musical is best for children ages six and above, and those under four will not be permitted in the venue.
Is The Wizard of Oz good?
The Wizard of Oz is a fantastic musical based on L. Frank Baum's beloved classic book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This musical has earned numerous award nominations and boasts a talented creative team and an exceptional cast, including JLS singer Aston Merrygold and RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne.
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