The Wizard of Oz is Coming to The Old Rep, Birmingham

This Christmas season, the BOA Group Productions are bringing their production of The Wizard of Oz to The Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham from next week Tuesday 26th November onwards to Tuesday 31st December 2024. The show is directed by Lorna Laidlaw.

The professional team will be joined by a community ensemble, including students from BOA’s respective academies, BOA Creative, Digital & Performing Arts Academy and BOA Stage & Screen Production Academy. They will have a hand in constructing the set, making costumes, helping with wardrobe and make-up artistry, as well as having hands-on experience in Technical Theatre Production, working as lighting technicians, sound engineers and stage crew.

This year marks the ninth Christmas production that The BOA Group have produced at the theatre. Last year, it was Peter Pan and the year before, it was Beauty and the Beast. It was great to see so many young and enthusiastic students get involved.

This year, they have professional casts like Jaiden Tsang (Dick Whittington, Blue Orange Theatre) as Dorothy, Denise Pitter (To The Streets, Birmingham Hippodrome and Guys and Dolls, Piccadilly Theatre) as Aunt Em and Glinda, Avital Kagan (The Strange Affair of Herschel Grynszpan, The Other Palace) as Mrs Gulch and the Wicked Witch.

It’s also starring Oraine Johnson (The Jungle Book, Derby Theatre and One Man Two Guvnors, Queens Theatre) as Dickory and Tinman, Jordan Laidley (The Bob Marley Movie and Holding The Centre, Belgrade Theatre) as Doc and Lion, Julie Baker (Romeo and Juliet, Big Brum and Putting It About, Women and Theatre’s Revival) as Hickory and Scarecrow, and returning as a fan favourite from last years’ Peter Pan The Musical is Matthew Christmas (Peter Pan The Musical, The Old Rep and Julius Caesar, Oddsocks Productions) as Uncle Henry and Oz.

I’m sure many of you will have seen or read The Wizard of Oz and will know how the storyline starts. This adventure follows Dorothy, who with the help of the Good Witch Glinda, a spirited scarecrow, a tender tinman and a loveable lion, follows the yellow brick road to try and find a way home. She encounters both friends and foes during her quest through the colourful kingdom. Not forgetting also meeting the Wicked Witch of the West! Leading the way in her sparkling ruby slippers, will Dorothy have the brains, heart, and courage to find the wonderful wizard, save Oz from the Wicked Witch and safely get back home to Kansas?

This dazzling production promises to be a feast for the senses and a treat for all the family. The Wizard of Oz will be an unforgettable panto extravaganza making it an unmissable experience this festive season.

For more information on The Wizard of Oz or to book tickets visit www.oldrep.co.uk, or call the Old Rep’s Box Office team on 0121 643 5858 (Note: Calls handled by Crescent Theatre Box Office and phone line times apply) or email boxoffice@oldrep.co.uk. The British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted performances will take place on Tuesday 10^th December (10.15 am) and Sunday 29^th December (7 pm). The Relaxed performances will take place on Thursday 5^th December (10.15 am) and Friday 27^th December (2.30 pm).

Disclosure: We will be provided free entrance tickets for the purposes of writing this post, however, all thoughts and opinions remain our own. Professional images are used with permission.