Theatre by the Lake announces cast and creative team for festive spectacular The Wizard of Oz

Theatre by the Lake is delighted to announce the cast and creative team for its magical Christmas production of The Wizard of Oz, running from Friday 14 November 2025 – Sunday 11 January 2026.

Audiences will follow Dorothy and her friends down the yellow brick road in a bold new retelling packed with music, magic and festive sparkle.

The role of Dorothy will be played by Nimi Spiff. A recent graduate of Mountview, Nimi was a finalist in the 2025 Stephen Sondheim Student Performer of the Year Awards at the Sondheim Theatre in the West End and The Wizard of Oz marks her professional debut.

Joining her on the yellow brick road is Kira Hayes as Rosie and the Scarecrow. An East 15 graduate, Kira has previously appeared in Alice in Wonderland (Dukes Theatre Lancaster) and Flowers in a Dark Room (The Other Palace). Mia Jerome plays Aunt Em and Tinwoman. Mia is an actor and theatre-maker, founder of Blouse & Skirt! Theatre Company and was recently nominated for a Black British Theatre Award for her performance in Jamie Lloyd’s Romeo & Juliet.

Emma Jay Thomas will take on the dual roles of the Wicked Witch and Good Witch. Emma’s wide-ranging credits span West End musicals such as Mamma Mia! and Miss Saigon, through to the Royal Shakespeare Company with The Tempest and Antony & Cleopatra, and the hit touring comedy Tony! The Tony Blair Rock Opera. Michael Hugo plays The Wizard. Michael is a celebrated performer whose stage credits include Around the World in 80 Days, Marvellous (Soho Place) and One Man Two Guvnors.

David Kirkbride plays Uncle Henry. His extensive work includes The Play That Goes Wrong (West End), Othello (National Theatre), and television appearances in Ted Lasso and Sherlock. Completing the company are Vinnie Monachello as Toto, bringing experience from Olivier Award-winning family shows including Hey Duggee and Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Ensemble swings are Ethan Cooper, an Actor Musician whose recent stage work includes The Ugly Duckling (Nottingham Playhouse), and Poppy Rowan, a multi-disciplinary artist and performer with work ranging from Stage-Ed and Highly Suspect to her own original projects and band Red Handed Siren.

The production is led by Sarah Punshon (Director), whose past Theatre by the Lake credits include Dial M for Murder and Of Mice and Men, and Sonia Jalaly (Writer), whose work includes Jack and the Beanstalk and Aladdin (Lyric Hammersmith). Design comes from Yoav Segal, an Arts Foundation-winning designer whose recent work includes Pinocchio at the Watermill Theatre and Cable Street at Southwark Playhouse. Lighting design is by Bethany Gupwell, winner of the ALD Francis Reid Award. Music is by Ziad Jabero, who has composed scores for theatre, small films and animations and has toured internationally with North East band The Baghdaddies, releasing five albums. His recent theatre credits include Jungle Book (Bolton Octagon, 2024) and The Dreamtime Fellrunner (Theatre by the Lake).  Sound and additional composition are by Mark Melville (Kin with Gecko and the National Theatre). Puppetry is by Helen Foan, co-artistic director of Foan & Fortune, with credits including My Neighbour Totoro (RSC). Casting is by Liv Barr, CDG Award-winning Casting Director based at the Royal Exchange Theatre.

Sarah Punshon, Director, said: “This story has captivated audiences for over a century because it speaks to something we all recognise: the longing for home, the courage to face our fears, and the joy of discovering what we already have within us. I’m so excited to share this magical journey with audiences in Keswick this Christmas.”

Yoav Segal, Set & Costume Designer, added: “It’s been so exciting working on this fresh take on the classic Wizard of Oz story. By exploring what’s going on in Dorothy’s life, Sonia and Sarah have found a new angle to tell the narrative. It also feels very contemporary looking at the misinformation wizards of the modern age for teens living online and how that influences the telling. The design concept is about finding an organic, authentic and tactile way to bring this all to the stage in a punk-ish, ecological and playful way so that the acting, puppetry and songs leap off the stage. Here’s hoping we stick the landing!”

Julia Samuels, Artistic Director (Maternity Cover), said: “We’re excited to share a world premiere of our take on this timeless tale, with a contemporary Keswick twist that makes it feel right at home on our stage. It’s especially meaningful that three of our cast members are based here in Cumbria, reflecting our commitment to creating opportunities for local talent while telling stories that connect with audiences far and wide.”

Tickets are available now at www.theatrebythelake.com or by calling the Box Office on 017687 74411.

The Wizard of Oz plays at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick from Friday 14 November – Sunday 11 January 2026.

Tickets start from £12 and are on sale now.