Wizard role for Wilmot as show hits Yorkshire
The new musical, based on the story by L Frank Baum, is coming to Yorkshire as part of a UK tour and following a celebrated run at the London Palladium. It will star RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner and Dancing on Ice finalist The Vivienne who will play the Wicked Witch of the West alongside Gary Wilmot who reprises his West End role as The Wizard.
Featuring the original score from the Oscar-winning MGM film, including Over The Rainbow, Follow The Yellow Brick Road and We're Off To See the Wizard – with additional songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice – it promises to be a spectacular production will be a truly magical experience for all the family.
The Vivienne, said: “It is quite literally a dream come true to be asked to play the Wicked Witch of the West and to bring this amazing character to life.
"The Wizard of Oz means everything to me, it’s the ultimate story of overcoming adversity. I first saw the movie aged five and I’ve probably seen it about 100 times since.
"I played the Tin Man at primary school and got to skate to Over The Rainbow on Dancing on Ice so it’s fair to say I’ve had a life-long love affair with the story.”
Gary Wilmot, who reprises his London Palladium role as the Wizard said: ”I am delighted to revisit a role so wonderful, it’s in the name, Performing as the (wonderful) Wizard in a smash-hit season at the London Palladium was truly a magical experience and I can’t wait to share that with venues around the country next year.”
The Vivienne emerged as the original champion of the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. Since then, she has become a huge star both in the UK and internationally appearing on TV regularly and releasing music for fans across the globe. Two years ago her TV career went global when she appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars All Winners on US TV.
Last year The Vivienne made history as the first drag star to appear on major UK reality
competition series, Dancing On Ice on ITV where she made it to the top three.
Gary Wilmot has starred in a string of television series making him a household name as an actor and singer. He has been a subject of This is Your Life, hosted the Laurence Olivier awards and won a TMA best actor nomination in his musical theatre debut as Bill Snibson in Me And My Girl.
His many theatre credits include The Wizard in The Wizard of Oz (London Palladium), the Wizard in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre), Jethro in Prince of Egypt (The Dominion) and Badger in The Wind in the Willows (London Palladium).
Gary’s star turn in the Christmas London Palladium Pantomime – which includes as Mrs Henrietta Hook in Peter Pan, Queen Nigella in Jack and The Beanstalk, Dame Gary in Pantoland at the Palladium, Mrs Crumble in Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs and Sarah The Cook in Dick Whittington – has cemented his place as one of the legends of the theatre.
Directed by Nikolai Foster, The Wizard of Oz is at Bradford Alhambra from Tuesday March 19 until Saturday March 23. Tickets are on sale now.