Much-loved British entertainer Des O’Connor is joining the cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s spectacular new production of The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium.
Despite a record-breaking career that has included TV, movies and albums, Des had never performed in a West End show until his starring role last year in Dreamboats and Petticoats at the Playhouse Theatre.
And now Des is on a West End roll as he returns to the London Palladium – a venue that he has played hundreds of times over his career but never as an actor – to star as the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz from 22 May 2012.
Star of stage, screen and music, Des was awarded the CBE in 2008 for his services to Entertainment and Broadcasting and is widely regarded as one of the UK’s best loved and most respected stars.
Since his first TV appearance in 1963 he has starred in his own shows for over 45 years – longer than anyone else anywhere in the world.
His most recent titles include the Des O’Connor Tonight specials, the award-winning ITV talk show Today with des and Mel and his interview this year on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, which was the highest rated of the series.
He is also a hugely successful music and recording artist, having produced no less than 36 albums, selling over 16 million copies to date, and spending a staggering 117 weeks in the top ten of the charts.
On stage, Des has appeared at the MGM Grand Las Vegas, The Sydney Opera House and over 1,000 times at the London Palladium, but his appearance in Dreamboats will mark his first time ever in a West End musical.
Des O’Connor stars in The Wizard of Oz alongside Over The Rainbow runner-up Sophie Evans as Dorothy.
LINKS
Book tickets to The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium
