Introducing the Professional Cast of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz…

Our summer production slot is often a fantastic show for families to enjoy at the end of the school holidays and this year’s title is no exception. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is co-directed by Owen Calvert-Lyons, Theatre Royal’s Artistic Director, and David Whitney, Head of Creative Learning, and produced by Zoe Fox, Producer at Theatre Royal.

You can expect to see your favourite characters (Lion, Scarecrow, Munchkins and more) in Mike Aker’s adaptation of Frank L. Baum’s classic story The Wizard of Oz. Mike’s adaptation is set in Suffolk (Stowmarket to be precise) and follows Dorothy and her dog, Toto, to the mystical land of Oz. Complete with original songs by David Lewington and choreography by Sunny Sundeep, families can expect to go away humming and tapping after this high-quality show at their local theatre.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz runs from 18 August to 2 September. Tickets start at £10.80 and groups can take up Theatre Royal’s Family Saver offer: Buy an Adult and Under 21 ticket for just £30. All performances are captioned.

 

DARCY MANNING as DOROTHY

Suffolk actor Darcy has recently portrayed Maid Marion in Robin Hood the Pantomime at Saffron Hall in 2022. Darcy isn’t new to the Wizard of Oz story as she has also participated in Chasing Rainbows: The Road To Oz workshop as Virginia Gumm, directed by two-time Award-nominated director and choreographer Denis Jones. Darcy trained at The MTA studying Musical Theatre graduating in 2020.

MICHAEL LAMBOURNE as UNCLE HENRY & OZ

Cambridgeshire actor Michael Lambourne is the co-creator of the longest-running Immersive theatre production, The Great Gatsby, which has recently transferred to New York. Michael most recently played Abbanazzer in Aladdin at Harrogate Theatre and played a number of characters in The Comedy of Errors at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester.

NICOLA BRYAN as AUNT EM & WEST WITCH

You may have recently seen Nicola at Theatre Royal as she has just finished the tour of Brief Encounter, from Wiltshire Creative and New Wolsey Theatre, playing Myrtle Bagot. Previously, Nicola worked alongside Alexandra Burke in Sister Act: The Musical and played Olive Osmond in The Osmonds (musical). Audiences may recognise Nicola from New Wolsey’s 2021 production of Jack and The Beanstalk in which she played Fleshcreep.

DANIEL WALFORD as TINMAN

Graduating this year from Mountview, Daniel played Grimsby in The Little Mermaid (The Mack) and is a recipient of the prestigious Ian Fleming Musical Theatre Award.

RONAN QUINIOU as TOTO

Ronan has recently completed a European tour (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and Italy) of Moliere’s classic play “Le Malade Imaginaire” in French. Previously he featured in 9-5: The Musical playing Franklin Hart Jr. Ronan is trilingual in French, English and Russian. He studied Musical Theatre BA at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduating in 2022.

 

We’re proud and excited to be creating The Wonderful Wizard of Oz adapted by Mike Akers, as our community production this summer.  Following on from the success of The Secret Garden last year, the production of this much-loved story is made with thanks to our Commissioning Circle.

Owen Calvert-Lyons, Co-Director of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

 

The summer show slot has always been about making high-quality theatre for the local community and supporting young aspiring actors by giving them the opportunities to be part of our young cast. This year, Theatre Royal has introduced a Community Company to play roles within The Wonderful Wizard of Oz featuring members of the local community from ages 14-85 to offer more opportunities to be able to work and engage with their local theatre.

 

The exciting thing about The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is that it is a professional production with five exceptionally talented actors, two who live locally as well as three new actors who we will be welcoming to Suffolk, but we have also invited members of the community to join the company, from young people aged nine up to adults. It will be a lot of fun both on stage and for our audiences so don’t miss it!

Zoe Fox, Producer of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

 

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is supported by Bury St Edmunds Town Council.

Summer Season sponsored by Ellisons Solicitors.

Theatre Royal is proudly sponsored by Jaynic.

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