Go Over The Rainbow As WIZARD OF OZ Continues North West Tour

Following on from its hugely successful run of performances at Stockport Plaza in August, The Wizard of Oz is back on the yellow brick road and heading towards Southport, Liverpool and Rhyl this October to continue its North West tour!

The critically acclaimed panto production from Regal Entertainments visits Southport Theatre from Tuesday 24 - Thursday 26 October; The Epstein Theatre from Friday 27 - Sunday 29 October; and Rhyl Pavilion from Monday 30 - Tuesday 31 October.

Eastenders actress Cheryl Fergison will continue to lead the cast as the Wicked Witch of the West while BBC Pitch Battle star and singing sensation Maddie Hope Coelho replaces previously announced Charlotte Gallagher in the role of Dorothy.

Cheryl and Maddie will be joined by X Factor star David Heath as the Scarecrow, the charismatic Philip McGuiness playing the Tinman and hilarious Richard Hazlewood as Cowardly Lion.

The show was a huge success during its run at St Helens Theatre Royal last October and Stockport Plaza last month, playing to a packed-out auditorium, and is guaranteed to delight audiences of Southport, Liverpool and Rhyl this October.

Cheryl Fergison, most notably known for playing Heather Trott in the BBC soap, returns as The Wicked Witch of the West; a multi-talented performer, Cheryl has starred in many stage and film productions and is a wonderful singer and musician.

No stranger to pantomime, she has also appeared in Cinderella, Jack and The Beanstalk and Beauty and the Beast to name but a few, as well as making audiences boo and hiss with her performance as The Wicked Witch in 2016's production of The Wizard of Oz.

Stepping in to the coveted Ruby Slippers, the incredibly talented Maddie Hope Coelho joins the cast to play Dorothy. Maddie trained at Laine Theatre Arts, West End MT and The Royal Ballet School.

Her theatre credits include Fairy Goodapple in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Mary Margaret in Singin' in the Rain as well as appearances in Sleeping Beauty and Aladdin. She is delighted to be playing Dorothy and hopes that audiences have a magical time!

David Heath was a contestant on ITV's The X Factor back in 2006 as a member of boy band Eton Road. Since his time on the show he has turned his talents to theatre with credits including Billy in Wag - The Musical, as well as pantomime leading men including Aladdin, Prince Valentine in Snow White and Prince Valiant in Sleeping Beauty.

Guaranteed to give an oil-slick performance as Tinman, the charming Philip McGuiness is a panto regular having previously played Gaston in Beauty and the Beast and Captain Hook in Peter Pan.

Finally, no stranger to Panto having played the Beast in Beauty and the Beast and Abanaza in Aladdin, Richard Hazlewood will be practicing his best roar as the lovable Cowardly Lion.

The Wizard of Oz is a firm family favourite which tells the story of young Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto as they embark on a wondrous adventure over the rainbow in the magical land of Oz.

Regal Entertainments' panto version of this classic family show includes a hilariously funny script, dazzling costumes and sets, plus a wealth of brilliant songs and show-stopping choreography.

Be sure to join Dorothy, Toto and all their new friends Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion as they journey down the Yellow Brick Road to The Emerald City in search of the Wizard of Oz who can make all their dreams come true. The perfect half-term treat for all little munchkins!

Wizard of Oz Producer, Chantelle Nolan said: "We are very excited to continue our tour of the North West. We had an amazing time during the run of the show in St Helens last year and critics are raving about our recent Stockport show. Audiences seem to go mad for it with many families making return visits, so catch it while you can in Liverpool, Southport and Rhyl!"

Tickets are now on sale. Book early to avoid disappointment. The cast is subject to change.

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