The former Labour leader is stepping into the spotlight this Christmas as he appears in a drag-inspired Wizard of Oz parody at a north London theatre.
Former Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn is swapping the Commons for the stage this Christmas, joining the cast of a festive pantomime in his home borough of Islington.
The Independent MP for Islington North will appear in Wicked Witches: A Popular Panto, a drag-inspired Wizard of Oz parody taking place at The Pleasance Theatre near Caledonian Road. The production will run across the Christmas period as part of the venue’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
Jeremy Corbyn has represented Islington North for more than 40 years and remains a well-recognised figure in the community. Theatre organisers say his appearance will add local fun to the already flamboyant show, which blends traditional panto humour with a colourful, cabaret-style twist.
The show is inspired by the hit musical Wicked and the classic Wizard of Oz story, reimagined with drag comedy, pop parodies and audience interaction. Producers promise soaring vocals, bold costumes and plenty of sass as the panto takes audiences down a rebranded Yellow Brick Road.
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Jeremy will play the Wizard of Oz-lington, a nod not only to the fictional Emerald City but also to his long association with the borough. The MP said he is proud to support local theatre and believes pantomime plays an important role in bringing communities together during the holidays.
“The Pleasance (Theatre) has been at the heart of our community for 30 years, and local theatre like this deserves our support.” Jeremy said. “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.”
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He will appear alongside drag performer Gigi Zahir as the wicked witch Adelphaba, Eleanor Burke as the good witch Kelly Oz-Born, Lew Ray as Tin 2.0, and Ro Supp as Dorothy, affectionately referred to as Dor.
The Pleasance Theatre will stage two separate versions of the panto to cater to different audiences. One will be family-friendly and open to all ages, while the other will feature more adult humour and run on specific nights across the season.
The show marks the first large-scale festive production at The Pleasance London in more than two decades and forms part of a wider programme celebrating its three decades in Islington. For the venue, the involvement of a high-profile Islington figure highlights the strong relationship between the theatre and the neighbourhood it serves.
Jeremy has spent much of his political career on national stages facing heated debate and public scrutiny. His move into pantomime marks a rare shift toward light-hearted entertainment, although he has previously expressed enthusiasm for local arts and grassroots creative spaces.
Head of theatre at Pleasance London, Ellie Simpson, 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 20 years and raises the curtain on our 30th anniversary celebrations.”
Performances of Wicked Witches: A Popular Panto will run at The Pleasance Theatre between 18 November and 31 December. Ticket details are available via the theatre’s website.
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