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.”
