Pantomime meets circus in the Land of Oz this Christmas, as World’s Biggest Productions bring a suitably super-sized show to Birmingham’s bp pulse LIVE arena.

See Frank L Baum’s beloved Wizard Of Oz characters as you’ve never seen them before, as Dorothy sets off on an adventure over the rainbow with a giant Tin Man and a Lion too cowardly to walk the high wire - all in search of the Wicked Wizard’s Emerald Circus. Jordan Conway will be appearing as a delightfully silly and energetic incarnation of Dorothy’s best friend, Scarecrow, in a production that promises to be an immersive experience for all the family. What’s On caught up with Jordan to find out more...

Enjoy a jaw-dropping reimagining of a classic tale this Christmas, as The Wicked Wizard Of Oz: A Cirque Spectacular, by World’s Biggest Productions, comes to Birmingham’s bp pulse LIVE arena for two shows only.

Dorothy and her pals must journey over the rainbow and make their way to the Wicked Wizard’s Emerald Circus - unless they’re foiled in their endeavours by the gravity-defying Witch, who has plans to set up her own ‘sinister circus’ instead...

Based on the world-famous characters created by Frank L Baum in his children’s book The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, and featuring a spectacular pantomime-meets-circus twist, the production promises breathtaking acrobatics and side-splitting fun for the festive season.

Jordan Conway - fresh from playing Buddy in Elf The Musical - will appear as the hilarious Scarecrow.

“There’s action everywhere you look!” Jordan explains. “We have some of the best aerialists in the world - the Flying Annas have recently won silver at the Russian International Circus Championships. The circus is woven in nicely with the narrative. Rather than going to the Emerald City, we arrive at the Wizard’s Emerald Circus. There’s so much talent on that stage.”

The production’s circus setting also means that the show features Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion as you’ve never seen them before - as Jordan explains: “Dorothy is played slightly older, and more knowing. The scarecrow is a bundle of energy rather than having the slightly mopey attitude he has in the film. The Lion is a Hungarian high-wire walker, and the Tin Man is an eight-foot transformer!”

The characters might have been ramped up a notch, but Jordan maintains that there’s a universality about Dorothy’s adventure, giving it the power to reach anyone and everyone in the audience: “The story is timeless. At the heart of it, it’s a message that adheres to every single human on earth. We often get envious of qualities and traits that people have, when in reality we are all capable of being anything we want to be. All of your dreams are there for the taking if you really want them enough. I think there’s real beauty in this message, particularly for children.”

Jordan’s Scarecrow has been brought to life with clown-like silliness.

“He serves as the main point of energy and drive in the show; a man who wants a brain ends up being the person to come up with a plan to save the day.”

He particularly enjoys sharing a stage with piano-playing funnyman and Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Kev Orkian, who stars as the Wicked Wizard.

“We serve as a comedy double act, yet neither one of us is really the straight man! This is a very odd and different dynamic to most acts. We improvise at will and bounce off each other perfectly. He’s a very talented man.”

Once the performance begins, the Scarecrow is rushed off his straw-filled feet - meaning Jordan doesn’t have time to stop and appreciate the acrobatic feats taking place on stage.

“The show’s pace is so fast that every time I’m off-stage, I’m applying make-up or changing! But in rehearsals, I can see that the whole thing is a spectacle. The Flying Annas - they’re mesmerising!”

Everything in The Wicked Wizard Of Oz is created at a larger scale than theatre audiences might be used to - no real surprise there, given that the company producing it is named World’s Biggest Productions - but the show is carefully calculated to ensure that audiences all around the arena will have a fantastic and thrilling experience.

“We’ve tried to make it as immersive as possible. Handing out soft sponge rocks to the audience to kill the witch, flying inflatable cows for the twister… and we love taking the show to the arena-floor walkways.”
Looking to the future, Jordan is already brewing up suggestions for boundary-pushing shows - with plans afoot for a new production.

“We’re taking suggestions, if you have any! We have a very exciting new project hitting stages in 2027 - keep your eyes peeled! It’s an odd suggestion, but I would love to stage The Mask. Or do an arena version of Alice In Wonderland that we did a few years back in Blackpool.”

Like many performers, the end of the year is the busiest time in the calendar for Jordan - but he’s looking forward to spending time with loved ones when he can: “Christmas is a time for family. I’m a ‘mumma’s boy’ and proud of it - I’m so excited to get to see her. I have two days off from now to January the 4th - Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. I’ll think about relaxing in February… maybe!”

Given the importance he places on family, it’s no surprise that Jordan is grateful for the fact that The Wicked Wizard Of Oz’s company feels really tight-knit. Indeed, even after a slew of high-energy productions, the performers still enjoy spending time together.

“The pure buzz and friendliness of the cast makes you never want to go to bed! We re-live old stories - as many of the cast are long-term friends - and talk ideas, thinking about how to make each show even better. I don’t think you ever truly wind down until you finish the tour. Then I find myself wanting to kickstart it all again a week later! I live for this job.”

The Wicked Wizard Of Oz shows at bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham, on Sunday 21 & Monday 22 December

By Jessica Clixby