He’s off to be in the Wizard

TASMANIAN musical theatre star John X is dancing down the yellow brick road today after landing another major mainland role, being cast in a new touring production of The Wizard of Oz.

X, who burst onto the national scene playing Pumbaa in The Lion King before going on to portray Mr Braithwaite in Billy Elliot and Stewpot in South Pacific, will star as the cowardly lion in The Wizard of Oz, alongside Anthony Warlow as the Wizard, Lucy Durack as Glinda, Gemma Rix as the Wicked Witch of the West and Samantha Dodemaide as Dorothy.

X said he was “very excited” about landing the role of the lion. “He’s a very loveable character, he’s one of the favourites, so I feel very honoured,” he said.

“It’s quite an endearing show. I remember growing up watching the movie as a child — it’s a universal story that everyone loves, everyone grew up with it.”

Featuring new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, the London Palladium-produced show will open in Brisbane in November, before moving to Sydney in December.

X said he was also excited to be returning to the national stage in such an iconic role after taking a couple of years off to raise his now three-yearold daughter, Calliope.

For more details about The Wizard of Oz details and for bookings go to www.wizardofozthemusical.com