05/08/2024

Preview: The Wizard of Oz at Sunderland Empire

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The Vivienne is off to see the wizard this week, as the Wicked Witch of the West in the beloved musical comes to Sunderland this summer


The Wizard of Oz 

Sunderland Empire

Tuesday 6 – Sunday 11 August 2024


Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group have announced that RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner and Dancing on Ice finalist, The Vivienne will play The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz at Sunderland Empire from Tuesday 6 to Sunday 11 August 2024.


The new musical, based on the iconic story by L. Frank Baum, tours the UK and Ireland throughout 2024, following a celebrated run at the world-famous London Palladium.


Join Dorothy, Toto and friends on an unforgettable adventure down the yellow brick road to the merry old land of Oz. Featuring the iconic 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 - this spectacular production will be a truly magical experience for all the family.


The Vivienne, who will perform as The Wicked Witch of The West, explains: “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. Your favourite characters are all there, telling the story you know and love … but with SO much more added to this new production. Prepare to be whisked into an amazing new world of colour.”

The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium 

The Vivienne is without doubt the UK’s No.1 drag superstar, after emerging 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. 2022 saw The Vivienne’s TV career go global when she appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars All Winners on US TV.

The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium 

2023 saw The Vivienne make history as the first drag star to appear on a major UK reality competition series, competing in Dancing On Ice on ITV. Viv made it all the way through the Top 3, with breathtaking performances in the final. 2023 also saw The Vivienne become the face and voice of the BBC’s Eurovision Song Contest trailers. In addition, she performed Waterloo at the massive Eurovision opening ceremony in Liverpool city centre. 


Tickets:

The Wizard of Oz will click its heels onto Sunderland Empire’s stage from Tuesday 6 – Sunday 11 August 2024. Tickets available online now at www.ATGtickets.com/sunderland *

*A £3.65 transaction fee applies to online bookings.


The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium 
Creatives:


Music by Harold Arlen

Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg


Additional Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Additional Lyrics by Tim Rice

Adaption by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams

Orchestrations by David Cullen

Orchestrations adapted by George Dyer

From the book by L. Frank Baum

Based Upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by Warner Media, and produced with the permission of Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and EMI Music Publishing


Director Nikolai Foster 

Choreographer Shay Barclay

Set Designer Colin Richmond

Projection Designer Douglas O’Connell 

Costume and Puppet Designer Rachael Canning 

Lighting Designer Ben Cracknell

Sound Designer Adam Fisher

Creative Consultant Mark Kaufman

Musical Supervisor George Dyer

Casting by Debbie O’Brien

Props Supervisor Marcus Hall Props

Wigs, Hair and Makeup Designer Elizabeth Marini


On the web:

Instagram: @yellowbrickroad

Twitter: @yellowbrickroad

Facebook: @WizardOfOzTheMusical



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