Jeremy Corbyn is set to appear in a drag pantomime this winter.
Taking part in a festive stage performance in the UK capital, the former Labour leader and MP for Islington North will be joining the cast of a “gloriously camp” production inspired by Wicked.
Titled Wicked Witches: A Popular Panto, the production will be held at the Pleasance Theatre near Caledonian Road later this year. It will see Corbyn take on the role of the ‘Wizard of Oz-lington’.
For the production, which will run between November 18 and December 31, the MP will perform alongside drag artist Gigi Zahir, who will play the wicked witch Adelphaba (as per BBC News). Also on the bill is Eleanor Burke – playing the good witch, Kelly Oz-Born – as well as Lew Ray as Tin 2.0, and Ro Supp as Dorothy (Dor).
Speaking about turning his sights from the Houses Of Parliament to the theatre stage, Corbyn said: “The Pleasance (Theatre) has been at the heart of our community for 30 years, and local theatre like this deserves our support.”
Oh yes I am!https://t.co/57ON67wZkK pic.twitter.com/akEcxC5Wvc
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) October 28, 2025
“Panto brings people together – it’s fun, inclusive and a brilliant celebration of creativity,” he continued. “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.”
Talking about the upcoming production, Head of theatre at Pleasance London, Ellie Simpson said (via BBC): “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.”
The outlet also shares that there will be two different versions of Wicked Witches: A Popular Panto coming to the stage this winter – one for all ages, and one aimed just at adults. Visit here for tickets and more information.
Earlier this year, the former Labour leader, who is now an independent MP, got people talking again when he joined Letterboxd and wrote some reviews for his favourite films. Shortly after, he made an appearance on the main stage at London’s Wide Awake festival, calling for support for “people in a desperate situation in Gaza”.
Real change is coming. pic.twitter.com/PjMPhxUJz7
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) July 4, 2025
Over the summer, Zarah Sultana announced that she would be forming a new UK political party with Corbyn after resigning from Labour after 14 years.
Corbyn served as Labour Leader between 2015 and 2020. In 2019, he lost the election to Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party. He was succeeded as Labour Leader by current Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“I am delighted that she will help us build a real alternative,” Corbyn said of Sultana at the time. “The democratic foundations of a new kind of political party will soon take shape. Discussions are ongoing – and I am excited to work alongside all communities to fight for the future people deserve.”