MP Jeremy Corbyn and Sir Ian McKellen will feature in Wicked Witches: A Popular Panto!, at Pleasance Theatre from November 18 to December 22. Both men will be appearing on-screen in recorded video cameos.
The MP for Islington North will be swapping Parliament for panto as he plays the Wizard of Oz-lington. Acting legend Sir Ian McKellen will also make an appearance, cast as Toto the Dog, which Pleasance Theatre announced in the days leading up to the premiere.
Mr Corbyn 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.”
The show’s director, ShayShay Konno, said: “It is so heartening to have both Jeremy Corbyn and Sir Ian McKellen donate their time and talents to this panto. It reminds me that live theatre is such a cherished artform and must be protected.”
Ellie Simpson, head of theatre, said: “He (Corbyn) is one of the local MPs for Islington and actually this is what MPs should be doing, you know, really involving themselves in their local community in the arts. Giving their time in a way that really helps raise the profile and importance of local theatre, which is struggling. I think a lot of local politicians could learn from it.”
The show received critical acclaim on press night on 20 November. It was filled with both theatrical and local references. There was much laughing, cheering, and pantomime-style exchanges between the performers and the audience.
Ms Simpson said: “I think the panto is warm, gloriously queer, packed full of heart, gently political, and very funny… We’re playful and political at the same time. So, our panto is a good example of that. It’s a classic story [with] panto tropes but made contemporary, inclusive, and quite cheeky.”
Claudia Efemini is an MA Newspaper Journalism student at City St George's, University of London. She has previously written for BBC Africa and BLK Brit covering Africa and the diaspora across news, culture, and business.