This Christmas, audiences are invited to journey somewhere over the rainbow with Wicked Witches – A Popular Panto!, a drag-infused festive spectacular inspired by Wicked and The Wizard of Oz.
Presented by Pleasance and The Vaults, the production will run at London’s Pleasance Theatre from 21st November to 31st December for all ages, with a separate adults-only version from 18th November to 28th December.
Both versions promise a gloriously camp walk down the Yellow Brick (Caledonian) Road, packed with cabaret, pop parody, and plenty of laughs.
The all-ages show blends the fun of drag with the magic of Christmas, celebrating inclusivity and acceptance. Twenty years after Dorothy (Dor) first tumbled over the rainbow, a surprise snowstorm whisks them back to Oz-lington, where the Good Witch and Wicked Witch are still feuding.
Dor joins forces with Scarecrow, Lion, and the shiny new Tin 2.0 to stop the storm, defeat the witch, and save Christmas. With big musical numbers and audience participation, this heartwarming tale bridges generations.
The adults-only version offers a campier, naughtier twist, transforming the classic panto into a fabulous queer cabaret. Both shows aim to create a fun, safe space for all and champion queer voices.
The cast includes drag powerhouse Gigi Zahir / Crayola The Queen (Cinderella, Theatre Royal Stratford East; Frankie Goes to Bollywood, UK Tour/Southbank Centre) as Adelphaba, the Wicked Witch.
Eleanor Burke / Apple Derrieres (Death Drop, West End; Cinderella, Wyvern Theatre) plays Kelly Oz-Born, the Good Witch. Rosanna Suppa (Count Dykula, Soho Theatre) stars as Dor, with Lew Ray (QUEENZ, UK tour) as Tin 2.0.
Nick MacDuff (Beauty and the Feast, The Vaults) plays Scarecrow and serves as on-stage ASM. The production is directed by Shane ShayShay Konno (Mulan Rouge, The Vaults), co-founder of The Bitten Peach.
Writer and Director Shane ShayShay Konno says,
“At a time of increasing legislation against trans people, I believe it’s of the utmost importance to champion positive trans stories and heroic trans characters. I’ve created a lot of performance work for children and have always found them to be the most accepting and enthusiastic audiences. Wicked Witches sends a message of celebrating our differences & accepting others to audiences of all ages.”
This collaboration combines The Vaults’ reputation for anarchic pantomimes with Pleasance’s cabaret-style space and community focus. Wicked Witches marks Pleasance London’s most ambitious Christmas offering yet, launching the build-up to its 30th anniversary in 2026.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
