The 2026 pantomime will be The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, written by Andrew Clark. Andrew has adapted his previous adaptation of this well known story, that he wrote alongside Carole Ransom, into a pantomime for all of us to enjoy. Most people know the story of how Dorothy comes into Oz, and with the success of the Wicked films, the story between Glinda and The Wicked Witch of The West has become well known as well! Although this production will not be what you expect, as it is a different take on the story Frank L. Baum wrote in the original book, all the original characters are there that you know and love from both the 1939 film starring Judy Garland and the 2003 production of Wicked starring Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenowith.
Almost all of the main characters have an original song, written by Andrew Clark, and along with the original songs that have been written specifically for this show, come a couple of covers from the characters. There are some absolute pantomime staples in this show, including but not limited to: a dame, the villain, the hero/heroine and the love story between two characters!
As this pantomime has been written inspired from the book, there might be some characters unexpected or written in a different way to what you may expect from them. So, here is the dramatis personae (character sheet) from the pantomime. These will be given out on a sheet at auditions so that you have a better idea of who you would like to audition for!
Auditions will include reading part of the script, and also singing if you wish to audition for a role that sings in the pantomime.
Principals (Large Roles)
Dorothy: (F) Our heroine. In most scenes. Earnest, kind and initially “not the most perceptive.” Acts as the emotional heart and innocent of the group. Has an arm puppet dog which much have a ‘life’ of its own. Audience interaction in Act 2. Big song.
Aunt Em: (M) The Dame. Brash, husband-hunting and fiercely protective. Speaks her mind. Possesses swaggering energy and handles the bulk of audience interaction. May want a husband from the audience.
Scarecrow: (M) An intellectual giant in a straw body. Uses complex vocabulary and academic logic to describe even the most simple and mundane of things. Large dialogue load. Audience interaction in Act 2. Song.
Tin Man: (M) A romantically lost individual. Initially rusted, but improves if with a strange gait. Needs some physical comedy skills. Provides the pathos. Audience interaction in Act 2. Song.
Cowardly Lion: (M) A fearsome but inwardly timid lion. Dows not like confrontation. High-energy, physical and always apologising for farting when danger looms, or doesn’t. Audience interaction in Act 2. Song.
The Wicked Witch of the West (WWW): (F) Initially disguised as the traditional WWW. But is revealed to be a sophisticated, glamorous, and utterly evil hater of humanity, especially children. Long cigarette holder is her wand. Interacts with the audience. Big song.
Supporting (Medium Roles)
Glinda: (F) The Good Witch of the South. Aging stone, hippy and everything else. Floaty, ineffectual, and frequently distracted by her ‘aura’ (and her hip flask). A useful, although big hearted, bungler. Some audience interaction. Rock song.
Trilby: (F) The Tin Man’s (Woodman) lost love. She is melancholic and faithful. Provides the emotional “lull” and the “faith-shield” in the finale. All characters like her. Some audience interaction. Song
Speciality/Ensemble (Small to Medium Roles)
Brain: (M/F) Act 1. Leader of the crows. Cheeky, fun loving, ‘one of the lads’ and scared of WWW.
Fingers: (M/F) Act 1. One of the crows. Cheeky, fun loving, ‘one of the lads’ and scared of WWW.
Masher: (M/F) Act 1. A crow. Cheeky, fun loving, ‘one of the lads’ and scared of WWW, bit thicker.
Eric: (M) Act 2. A flying monkey. Highly camp, theatrical and “devastated: by bad fashion.
The Wizard: (M) Act 2. A “Great and Powerful” but fundamentally incompetent stage magician. Clumsy, panicked and relies on stage tricks to survive.
Arthur: (M): Act 2. Spokes-Flying Monkey. Pedantic union leader, not as smart as he thinks.
Monkey_1: Act 2. Interjecting monkey union member.
Monkey_2: Act 2. Interjecting monkey union member.
Silly The Cow: (2xM/F): Heroine of the show.
The Munchkins/Monkeys: (M/F) Provide the energy and shock to create the chaos.
We hope to see you all at auditions on the 11th and 16th June!!