A new take on the classic show The Wizard of Oz tours the UK and Ireland throughout 2024, following a celebrated run at the world-famous London Palladium. It will be heading to the Palace Theatre next year where it plays from 24 April – 5 May 2024, with local and TV legend Jason Manford.
Jason Manford is set to reprise his celebrated role as The Cowardly Lion at the Manchester Palace Theatre for two weeks only next spring, where he is joined by Allan Stewart as The Wizard.
They join previously announced RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner and Dancing on Ice finalist, The Vivienne as The Wicked Witch of the West. The remainder of the cast consists of uniquely talented musical theatre performers and TV stars alike, includinh Aviva Tulley (The Book of Mormon), Benjamin Yates (Emmerdale, Jersey Boys), Emily Bull (9 to 5, Matilda) and Abigail Matthews (Bleak Expectations, War Horse).
Jason Manford said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the Wizard of Oz next year and bringing my Cowardly Lion to the Palace Theatre. This show is a real treat for all the family – audiences can expect the story they know and love with a modern twist and incredible staging. We can’t wait to transport the people of Manchester to the Emerald City.”
Salford-born Jason Manford is one of the UK’s leading multi-talented performers, with a career also spanning acting, presenting, and singing on both stage and screen. Jason has hosted many shows for the BBC and ITV and earlier this year, he returned to judge the second series of ITV1’s Saturday night show Starstruck and hosted BBC One’s primetime show Big Night of Musicals for the second time. Jason also hosts his award-winning three-hour show every Sunday on Absolute Radio.
On stage, Jason has starred in numerous musicals in the West End and across the UK, including Sweeney Todd, The Producers, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Guys and Dolls, and Curtains. This summer he starred as The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz at The London Palladium, and he just announced a major UK stand-up tour for 2024/5.
You can book tickets for The Wizard of Oz at the Palace Theatre Manchester featuring Jason Manford, and for information here.