BOA Group Productions are excited to announce the professional cast and creative team behind this year’s Christmas production The Wizard of Oz. The production will run from Tuesday 26 November – Tuesday 31 December at The Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham, this will mark the ninth Christmas show that the BOA Group have produced at the theatre.
Joining us in the Emerald City will be 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 student ensemble from BOA’s respective academies, BOA Creative, Digital & Performing Arts Academy and BOA Stage & Screen Production Academy, whose performance will excite audiences of all ages as well as give them the opportunity to work in a professional setting for the first time.
With script by Tom Whalley Pantomimes, this year’s production of The Wizard of Oz will be directed by Lorna Laidlaw. Lorna is a professional director and actress. Her performance credits include: Mrs Tembe in Doctors, Aggie in Coronation Street, Getting It Straight and A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Birmingham Rep. Theatre Directing credits include Caribbean Kitchen and Nativity at Birmingham Rep and Mr Soon Come – winner of The MVSA Award, Best Black Theatre Production at The Drum. Lorna said: “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!”
We are also excited to announce that actress and comedian Janice Connolly BEM will be joining our 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.
Connolly is the artistic director and founder member of the Birmingham-based Women and Theatre. In 2017, she appeared in the New Years Honours list in recognition of her contribution to community arts through her work with Women and Theatre.
Also joining the creative team are Gladstone Wilson as Musical Director, Ebrahim Nazier as Set Designer and Richard G Jones as Lighting Designer. We also have returning creatives from last years’ Peter Pan including CiCi Howells as Choreographer, Leanne Fitchett as Costume Designer and Clive Meldrum as Sound Designer. The creative team will also be working alongside BOA Stage and Screen Production Academy students to help bring the magic to stage. 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.
Kate Tague, Chief Executive of the BOA Group said “We are delighted to be announcing this year’s Christmas production is The Wizard of Oz. It will bring together leading talent from across the region alongside our own up and coming performers and crew”.
“This family favourite will be a pantomime performance packed with popular songs and lots of audience interaction. Pantomime is a British tradition and Birmingham’s historic Old Rep Theatre is the perfect home for this year’s production. Get ready to laugh, shout and sing as we bring The Wizard of Oz to life this festive season. We can’t wait to see you there!”
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).