From Parliament to pantomime: Corbyn's festive crossover

Pantomimes and politics: Both thrive on performance, exaggeration and audience participation.

In pantomimes, the audience boos the villain and cheers the hero; in parliament, political leaders are cast in these roles with MPs jeering.

It's a comparison Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn understands.

"Panto every day would be a good thing. Mind you, I work in Parliament so I get that already," he said.

This Christmas, he has a cameo appearance in a "gloriously camp" Wicked-inspired pantomime, Wicked Witches, at the Pleasance Theatre in his north London constituency.

In a pre-recorded video that's beamed on to the stage, Corbyn takes on the role of the Wizard of Oz-lington in the community production.

"I am very proud of Oz-lington because it's my job to represent Oz-lington and to try and do wizard things to improve the area.

"All is not well in Oz-lington," he said.

When asked how he could fix it, he answered: "Through spells."

While pantomimes often feature big names and familiar faces, it is less common for a politician to get involved – but not unheard of.

Simon Sladen, chair of the UK Pantomime Association, said: "We've got Corbyn this year, Ken Livingstone's been in panto, Gyles Brandreth did panto for many years, Anne Widdecombe."

Traditional pantomimes are normally tales rooted in fairy tales, folklore, and nursery stories, with settings usually imaginary kingdoms, medieval forests or rural villages.

Only one bucks this trend.

"Dick Whittington was all about becoming the mayor of London.

"You only have to watch the House of Commons where call and response across the sides of the house is almost like all of us in pantomime cheering 'oh no he isn't, oh yes he is'," he said.

"Certainly in Parliament we hear a number of those phrases: 'it's behind you' or being 'a pantomime of politics'."

Corbyn isn't the only well-known person to appear in this panto - Sir Ian McKellen also appears in video as Toto the dog.

Filmed in his home, his cameo sees him wearing dog ears, Toto T-shirt and a specially designed collar which reads "Sir Ian Mc-Toto".

Writer and director of the play, ShayShay Konno, said it was important for the script to have plenty of "Islington flavour".

"The whole story is adapted to take place in Oz-lington – we're right here in Islington so we have a few references to the local area."

As well as weaving local references into the story, ShayShay said it was also important to make the play as inclusive and diverse as possible.

"This may be a traditional play but in many ways it's not, it really spotlights queer identity.

"We have a full queer cast and lots of drag performers in the show.

"This feels really special as a queer creative to make a show that champions and celebrates LGBTQ+ identities."

Wicked Witches: A Popular Panto runs at the Pleasance Theatre until the end of December.