After much speculation it has been officially announced that The Wizard Of Oz at The London Palladium is closing. The Final performance will be on 2 September 2012. However, it is not all bad news as it has also been announced that the wonderful Des O'Connor will be joining the show in the title role from the 22nd of May until the end of the show's run. Sophie Evans will also stay with the show until it closes playing Dorothy.
I saw this production last summer and saw Sophie Evans as Dorothy, when she was understudying the role. I have to say I thought she was incredible and gave a faultless performance as Dorothy, she performed the part as if it was written for her! And of course, her Somewhere Over The Rainbow was completely perfect.
Des O'Connor, who turned 80 earlier this year is no stranger to The London Palladium as he has performed there as a solo artist over 1,000 times. He made hiss West End debut last year in Dreamboats & Petticoats at the Playhouse Theatre.
I wish Des a successful run with show and hope that the cast of The Wizard Of Oz enjoy their final few months in the emerald city!
Watch Sophie Evans perform Somewhere Over The Rainbow at the Olivier Awards below
Is it really ending in Septemeber? On the website Im sure you can buy tickets into october? im really confused.
ReplyDeleteHi Mandy,
DeleteWe are going to look into whether you can actually buy tickets in October. What's On Stage says the show is closing in September in this article:
http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831336566678/Des+O%27Connor+confirmed+as+Wizard+of+Oz%2C+show+finishes+in+September.html
I hope this helps!
West End Frame
Just checked the Wizard of Oz official website and if you try to select a show after September 2nd 2012 it says the show is cancelled.
DeleteWest End Frame