The Wizard of Oz pantomime is taking itself on a UK tour this Christmas and it will be stopping off in Leeds for a special date in December.
Landing at the city’s First Direct Arena on Monday 20 December, it’s being billed as ‘the world’s biggest panto’ and it’s easy to see why when you look at the all-star cast.
Headed up by One Show presenter Matt Baker and Jenny ‘The Vixen’ Ryan from ITV quiz show The Chase, you already know it’s going to be a great show.
From the same producers who brought us Elf, Cinderella and Peter Pan, this year’s Wizard of Oz panto is a brand new production from World’s Biggest Productions.
Matt Baker, who plays the Wizard, said of the upcoming show: “This Christmas I’m swapping the green fields of Our Farm in the Dales for the Emerald City! I’ll be an acrobatic, laser wielding wizard and I might even bring the Children in Need Rickshaw along for the ride.
“It’s a show packed with spectacular entertainment and fun with a brilliant script and cast to boot. I can’t wait for my festive tour on the yellow brick road!”
Jenny Ryan, who’s playing the role of Glinda, said: “The spectacular size of the show is breathtaking. There are giant video screens with animated computer graphic backgrounds and an ice-covered Emerald city skating scene that is magical.”
“With a 10-metre tall roof there is plenty of flying with cirque stars as the crows, and the witch actually flies on a broomstick around the arena. What’s also fun is that I am known as one of telly’s top TV quizzers, yet I have to contend with a man with no brains at all.”
Scarecrow, meanwhile, is played by new comedy star Jordan Conway – known for his roles in Faded Glory (2020), So Awkward (2015) and Kids Unlimited (2007).
Having just finished performing his own show at Butlin’s, Jordan is raring to go for the Christmas season:
Jordan said: “I can’t wait to get started, nothing beats the sound of thousands of family members all laughing together.”
Feature image- World’s Biggest Productions.
