Jeremy Corbyn will star in a new drag pantomime set to debut over the Christmas period.
The former Labour leader will star as the “Wizard of Oz-lington” in the new show billed as “gloriously camp”.
Wicked Witches: A Popular Panto will play at the Pleasance Theatre near Caledonian Road in Islington, north London.
the Islington North MP will tread the boards with drag artist Gigi Zahir, playing the wicked witch Adelphaba, alongside Eleanor Burke, appearing as the good witch Kelly Oz-Born.
Joining the cast of iconic characters will be Lew Ray as Tin 2.0 and Ro Supp, who plays Dorothy, or Dor, in this adaptation.
Mr Corbyn expressed his excitement about his acting turn, sharing that “the Pleasance (Theatre) 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.
“It’s a pleasure to conjure up a little festive magic with the Pleasance in their 30th year. Local theatre is where the real wizardry happens – sparking imagination and spreading a bit of joy,” the interim Your Party leader said.
Jeremy Corbyn will make a cameo in ‘gloriously camp’ drag pantomime in north London
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Ellie Simpson, Head of Theatre at Pleasance London, was glowing about the inclusion of Mr Corbyn in the upcoming production.
“Jeremy’s as much a part of Islington as the Yellow Brick Road is of Oz – so who better to play the Wizard of Oz-lington?
“His cameo adds a touch of local sparkle to our wickedly funny festive panto, which marks Pleasance’s first in over 20 years and raises the curtain on our 30th anniversary celebrations,” she said.
Wicked Witches will feature both an adults-only performance, promising “pop song parodies and festive filth,” and one aimed for all ages.
The Islington North MP said it would be ‘a pleasure to conjure up a little festive magic’
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The two styles will be performed on different days during their run time at the theatre, from November 18 to December 31.
Mr Corbyn’s new venture comes as he attempts to shepherd a new left-wing splinter party into being, currently dubbed Your Party.
Earlier this year, he launched the fledgling effort with Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana.
Since launching, the new party has been hampered by a number of disagreements between the founding pair.
Mr Corbyn and fellow former Labour MP Zarah Sultana launched Your Party earlier this year
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It led to Mr Corbyn admitting Your Party had experienced “fraught days in the last week” last month and that “we haven’t covered ourselves in glory”.
He was referring to a row over Ms Sultana unilaterally launching a membership portal for the party, which led to her branding the leadership a “sexist boys’ club”.
The Coventry South MP initially threatened legal action, but later backed down “for the sake of the party”.
On Friday, Your Party gained its first true foothold in Scotland as three Green Party councillors defected to the fledgling movement.