BOA Group Bring The Wizard of Oz to The Old Rep

The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham’s oldest theatre, is reopening this month, just in time for Christmas. Their Christmas show, ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is running from Tuesday 26th November and Tuesday 31st December 2024 and marks the 9th year of collaboration between the theatre and the BOA Group at Christmas. (You can read a review of last year’s production here.)

The Wizard of Oz, is, of course, a perennial classic and is just perfect for Christmas. This production is directed by Lorna Laidlaw, best known as Aggie from Coronation Street, and no stranger to The Wizard of Oz, having played the Wizard in a Birmingham Rep production in 2018.

Lorna says:-

 I am thrilled to be bringing to the stage this production of  The Wizard of Oz. A production full of fun and laughter for the whole family. The yellow brick road is waiting for you!

The Old Rep and BOA Group say:-

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.

Creatives

Janice Connolly  BEM will be joining the Creative Team as Comedy Dramaturg. Janice is best  known for performing stand-up comedy as her character Barbara Nice. Her  other performance credits include Phoenix Nights, That Peter Kay Thing and  The Good Ship Murder. Also joining the creative team are Gladstone Wilson as Musical Director, Ebrahim Nazier as Set  Designer and Richard G Jones as Lighting Designer. Returning creatives from last years’  Peter Pan include CiCi Howells as Choreographer, Leanne Fitchett as Costume Designer and  Clive Meldrum as Sound Designer.

The cast for this years production includes Jaiden Tsang (Dick Whittington, Blue Orange Theatre) as  Dorothy, Denise Pitter (To The Streets, Birmingham Hippodrome and Guys and Dolls, Picadilly  Theatre) as Aunt Em and Glinda, Avital Kagan (The Strange Affair of Herschel Grynszpan, The Other  Palace) as Mrs Gulch and the Wicked Witch, 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. 

The professional team will also 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.

The Old Rep productions at Christmas are always magical and well worth a look if you love traditional family entertainment.

Ticket information

For more information on The Wizard of Oz or to book tickets visit  www.oldrep.co.uk, or call the 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. 

British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted performances will take place on Tuesday 10 December  (10.15am) and Sunday 29 December (7pm). Relaxed performances on Thursday 5 December  (10.15am) and Friday 27 December (2.30pm).

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