Jeremy Corbyn gets a bit Wicked this Christmas in Islington’s pantomime as the Wizard of Oz-lington

Oh yes he is! Islington’s own Jeremy Corbyn is swapping Parliament for panto this Christmas, popping up as The Wizard of Oz-lington in the gloriously camp, all-singing, all-dancing Wicked Witches – A Popular Panto! at London’s Pleasance Theatre from 18 November-31 December.

It won’t be the first time Corbyn has faced boos and cheers in equal measure - but this time, it’s all part of the panto fun.

In a magical on-screen cameo sure to get audiences clicking their ruby slippers, the MP for Islington North is celebrating his local community and the joy of live theatre. Come along to Pleasance this winter and you can see a politician promising magic – and, actually delivering it!

This Wicked-inspired pantomime Wicked Witches – A Popular Panto! will whisk audiences down the Yellow Brick (Caledonian) Road for a gloriously camp Christmas spectacular, packed with cabaret, pop parody and plenty of laughs for those young and old alike. Expect soaring vocals, sparkly spells, and more sass than you can shake a wand at.

Jeremy Corbyn MP, said: “The Pleasance has been at the heart of our community for 30 years, and local theatre like this deserves our support. 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.”

Corbyn joins an incredible cast including drag powerhouse Gigi Zahir/Crayola The Queen as The Wicked Witch ‘Adelphaba’, Eleanor Burke/Apple Derrieres as The Good Witch ‘Kelly Oz-Born’, Ro Suppa as Dorothy (Dor), Lew Ray as Tin 2.0, and Nick MacDuff as Scarecrow and on-stage Assistant Stage Manager.

The production is directed by Shane ShayShay Konno, co-founder of The Bitten Peach, the UK’s leading Pan-Asian queer artist collective who has created a company that is as diverse, glamorous and talented as the world of Oz-lington itself.

Together they’ll have you booing, cheering and maybe even questioning who’s really wicked after all.

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 twenty years and raises the curtain on our 30th anniversary celebrations.”

This special collaboration combines The Vaults’ reputation for anarchic, subversive pantomimes, with The Pleasance’s unique cabaret-style space and community focus. Wicked Witches is the theatre’s most ambitious Christmas offering to date, launching the build up to Pleasance London’s 30th anniversary in 2026.

For more info on Wicked Witches - A Popular Panto!, please click here.