Jeremy Corbyn is swapping Parliament for Panto as he has been cast to play the Wizard of Oz in a new theatre production.
The MP for Islington North, 76, will play the Wizard of Oz-lington in the Wicked-inspired panto Wicked Witches – A Popular Panto! at Pleasance Theatre this winter.
The all-singing, all-dancing show will be packed with cabaret, pop parody and ‘soaring’ vocals – and will give the audience the chance to boo and cheer the politician in equal measure.
It comes as Mr Corbyn, who ran to be Prime Minister in the 2017 and 2019 UK general elections, appears to remain locked in a battle with Zarah Sultana over control of the new hard-Left Your Party after it outlined plans to have only one leader.
Ms Sultana announced she would be co-leading the new hard-Left outfit alongside the veteran when she left Labour earlier this year.
But last week draft documents outlining the party’s internal rules and functions showed it will initially have just a single interim leader unveiled in March next year after a vote by members.
Mr Corbyn said his Panto debut is intended to celebrate his constituency and ‘conjure up a little festive magic’ in honour of Pleasance Theatre’s 30th anniversary.
The MP said: ‘The Pleasance has been at the heart of our community for 30 years, and local theatre like this deserves our support.
Jeremy Corbyn (pictured) is swapping Parliament for Panto as he has been cast to play the Wizard of Oz in a new theatre production
‘Panto brings people together – it’s fun, inclusive and a brilliant celebration of creativity. It’s a pleasure to conjure up a little festive magic with the Pleasance in their 30th year.
‘Local theatre is where the real wizardry happens – sparking imagination and spreading a bit of joy.’
The veteran will join a large cast including drag powerhouse Gigi Zahir/Crayola The Queen, who will play The Wicked Witch ‘Adelphaba’.
Eleanor Burke/Apple Derrieres will play The Good Witch ‘Kelly Oz-Born’, alongside Ro Suppa who has been cast in the role of Dorothy. Lew Ray is set to play Tin 2.0.
The dramatic production is directed by Shane ShayShay Konno, co-founder of The Bitten Peach – the UK’s leading Pan-Asian queer artist collective.
Ellie Simpson, Head of Theatre at Pleasance London, said: ‘Jeremy’s as much a part of Islington as the Yellow Brick Road is of Oz – so who better to play the Wizard of Oz-lington?
‘His cameo adds a touch of local sparkle to our wickedly funny festive panto, which marks Pleasance’s first in over twenty years and raises the curtain on our 30th anniversary celebrations.’
Wicked Witches has been branded the theatre’s most ambitious Christmas offering to date, launching the build up to Pleasance London’s 30th anniversary in 2026.
The veteran will join a large cast including drag powerhouse Gigi Zahir/Crayola The Queen, who will play The Wicked Witch ‘Adelphaba’ (centre)
In his political career, Mr Corbyn has been registered as the Your Party leader with the Electoral Commission, an administrative requirement as the Commission does not allow for more than one leader of a party.
Ms Sultana previously dismissed the travails of the party down to sibling rivalry as she likened Mr Corbyn and herself to the sparring Gallagher brothers.
She said that if Noel and Liam could mend their relationship to get Oasis back on stage for the first time in 15 years she and Mr Corbyn ‘can do it’ as well.
Ms Sultana said: ‘Obviously you’ve all seen what’s happened over the past few weeks but I’m here to tell you the show is back on the road.
‘I know that I’m in Manchester so I have to reference Liam and Noel Gallagher. If they can do it, of course me and Jeremy can.’