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Gary Wilmot

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Gary Wilmot BIO

Wilmot started his career in entertainment after a friend informed an agent of his talent, and soon began to perform as part of the variety circuit. However, his big break came when he featured as part of a comedy double act with Judy McPhee on New Faces; the pair were later finalists. This would lead to numerous television appearances on Copy Cats, Knees Ups, Cue Gary!, and The Keith Harris Show. One of his most notable television roles was with the BBC children's quiz show So You Want To Be Top, which he co-presented with Leni Harper.

In 1994, Wilmot hosted Showstoppers, a programme which featured him performing songs from musicals alongside special guests. Originally commissioned as a one-off series in which celebrities were given ten days to learn and perform a song, Wilmot was asked to record a further series of six spectaculars due to popular demand. He also starred in and directed a tour of Showstoppers which proved so popular that its original sixty dates were increased to one hundred and sixty.

In 1989, Wilmot made a move into musical theatre debuting in the West End production of Me and My Girl, playing the role of Bill Snibson at the Adelphi Theatre. He played the role to critical acclaim for two years, with Jack Tinker describing him as a "Musical Talent of the Highest Order". Wilmot was subsequently nominated in the "Best Actor" category at the Olivier Awards, and theatre tour of a new comedy, Teething Troubles followed. He was also cast as Joe in Carmen Jones at the Old Vic before starring in the world premiere of the Barry Manilow musical Copacabana at London's Prince of Wales Theatre.

In 2001, Wilmot joined The New Shakespeare Company to play Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park, and the Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance national tour with Sue Pollard as Ruth, in 2001-2002. The national tour of Giles Havergal's adaptation of the Graham Greene novel Travels with My Aunt followed. In 2003, he was Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium, taking over from Michael Ball, and returning in 2006 and 2007 on the UK tour. Wilmot also played Billy Flynn in the national touring company of Chicago.

Other stage productions Wilmot has appeared in include H.M.S. Pinafore, Santa Claus the Musical, The Goodbye Girl, One for the Road, Confusions, Lord Arthur Saville's Crime, and a national tour of the successful Watermill Newbury Theatre production of Radio Times.

Wilmot has recently appeared in Flowers for Mrs Harris at Chichester Festival Theatre, Little Miss Sunshine at the Arcola Theatre, Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear - the Musical! at the National Theatre, London, Jethro in The Prince of Egypt at the Dominion Theatre, The Wizard in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre and Elisha J. Whitney in Anything Goes at the Barbican Centre in the West End.

Wilmot has also appeared in many pantomimes since 1986. Most recently he has appeared as the dame in the London Palladium pantomimes for Qdos Entertainment such as Dick Whittington (2017), Snow White (2018) and Goldilocks and the Three Bears (2019) co-starring Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin and Nigel Havers.

Gary Wilmot Photos

Gary Wilmot STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
2023
THE WIZARD

PROFESSOR MARVEL

[West End]
London Production, 2022
Queen Nigella

[West End]
West End Premiere, 2021
Jethro

[West End]
2021
Elisha Whitney

[West End]
London Palladium Production, 2017
Sarah the Cook

[West End]
West End Production, 2017
Badger

[West End]
Original London Production, 2002
Caractacus Potts [Replacement]

[West End]
London Revival, 1997
Performer

[West End]
Original London Production, 1994
Tony/Stephen


Gary Wilmot Videos

Gary Wilmot News


JLS Star Aston Merrygold Will Rejoin THE WIZARD OF OZ UK Tour


JLS star Aston Merrygold will reprise his celebrated role as The Tin Man at select dates across the Wizard of Oz's UK and Ireland tour. Learn more about which cities you can catch him in here!

Review: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS: A CELEBRATION, Live at the Sondheim Theatre, Cast Recording


Were you one of the lucky few who managed to bag a ticket for the one-night-only, star-studded gala revue, StephenSondheim’s Old Friends, on May 3, 2022?

Photos: First Look at Rehearsals for THE WIZARD OF OZ UK and Ireland Tour


Ahead of The Wizard of Oz opening at the Liverpool Empire for a three-week Christmas season on Wednesday 13 December, before a major UK and Ireland Tour first look rehearsal photography has been released. See all the new photos here.

STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Cast Recording Starring Helena Bonham Carter, Bernadette Peters- Out This Week


Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends: A Celebration (Live at the Sondheim Theatre) will be available as a 2-disc CD set and digital and streaming formats on Friday, December 8.

Final Cast Set For THE WIZARD OF OZ UK and Ireland Tour


Final casting has been revealed for the UK and Ireland Tour of The Wizard of Oz which begins rehearsals today. The new musical, based on the iconic story by L. Frank Baum, opens its UK and Ireland tour following a celebrated run at the world-famous London Palladium.

Craig Revel Horwood, The Vivienne, and Gary Wilmot Join UK Tour of THE WIZARD OF OZ at Select Dates


Strictly Come Dancing's longest-standing judge, Craig Revel Horwood, and RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner and Dancing on Ice finalist, The Vivienne will both play The Wicked Witch of the West in the upcoming tour of The Wizard of Oz. Gary Wilmot will reprise his West End role as The Wizard. Learn more about the tour and find out how to get tickets here!

Robbie Fairchild, Gary Wilmot, and Briana Craig Will Lead World Premiere of THE ARTIST in 2024


Lead casting has been announced for the world premiere stage production of Michel Hazanavicius’ multi–Academy Award-winning film The Artist. Learn more about the production and find out who is starring here!

Streaming Review: Anything Still Goes As The Revival Of A Cole Porter Classic, ANYTHING GOES, Streams On BroadwayHD


Tappy Make Me Happy, so how could little Bobby not be happy with this dip in the stream?

Tickets from £24 for THE WIZARD OF OZ at the London Palladium


Tickets from just £24 for The Wizard Of Oz-book now!

Review Roundup: What Did the Critics Think of THE WIZARD OF OZ at the London Palladium?


Starring Georgina Onuorah as Dorothy, award-winning comedian and musical theatre star Jason Manford as The Cowardly Lion, Diversity star Ashley Banjo as The Tin Man in his West End musical debut and The London Palladium legend Gary Wilmot as The Wizard and Professor Marvel, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Wizard of Oz has now opened at the London Palladium.

Review: THE WIZARD OF OZ, London Palladium


Familiar and safe it may be, but the show delivers spectacle and entertainment as only theatre can

Check Out the Latest on BroadwayHD �" Including a New Release with Sutton Foster


Beat the heat by staying inside and streaming some of BroadwayHD’s newest releases. Visit www.broadwayhd.com to learn more!

Louis Gaunt and Frances Mayli McCann Will Play Peter Pan and Wendy in the London Palladium Pantomime This Christmas


Further casting has been announced for The London Palladium Pantomime confirming that Louis Gaunt will return to the world-famous venue to play Peter Pan in this year's production and Frances Mayli McCann will join the cast as Wendy.

THE WIZARD OF OZ Leads Our Top Ten Shows for July


burbSummer in the city brings some red-hot theatrical treats. From a journey down the yellow brick road, to contemporary opera and fiery flamenco, July has something for everyone.

Georgina Onuorah Will Play Dorothy in THE WIZARD OF OZ at The London Palladium This Summer


Georgina Onuorah will play the lead role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz this summer. Georgina is currently playing Ado Annie in the critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning production of Oklahoma! (Wyndham's Theatre).

Jennifer Saunders and Julian Clary Will Lead The Cast Of This Year's Palladium Pantomime PETER PAN


Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes has announced the return to the West End of The London Palladium Pantomime for an eighth year, with Jennifer Saunders and Julian Clary leading the cast in a brand new production of Peter Pan.

Best of the Best: Seat Upgrade - Tickets from £71 for THE WIZARD OF OZ


Best of the Best: Seat Upgrade - Tickets from £71 for The Wizard Of Oz. The producer of the smash-hit Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat presents a brand-new production of The Wizard Of Oz, one of the world’s most beloved musicals.

Dianne Pilkington, Louis Gaunt and Christina Bianco Join THE WIZARD OF OZ at the London Palladium


Dianne Pilkington, Louis Gaunt and Christina Bianco will join the cast of The Wizard of Oz this summer. Dianne will play the Wicked Witch of the West, Louis will be the Scarecrow and Christina will play Glinda The Good Witch.

PBS Great Performances Sets 'Broadway's Best' Lineup With Sutton Foster, Sara Bareilles, Chita Rivera & More


In celebration of Great Performances’ 50th anniversary season, the series raises the curtain on a starry “Broadway’s Best” schedule of programs featuring dazzling musical numbers and high drama. The lineup kicks off with a star-studded concert celebrating Broadway during the series’ 50 years on PBS spanning from the early 1970s to the present day.

Now Onsale: THE WIZARD OF OZ at the London Palladium


Now onsale: The Wizard Of Oz at the London Palladium-A sensational cast joins Dorothy and Toto this Summer at The London Palladium for an unforgettable adventure down the yellow brick road!

Gary Wilmot FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Gary Wilmot next theatre project?

Gary Wilmot's next show will be Jack and the Beanstalk which opens on 12/10/2022 on West End.

How many Broadway shows has Gary Wilmot been in?

Gary Wilmot has not appeared on Broadway.

How many West End shows has Gary Wilmot been in?

Gary Wilmot has appeared on London's West End in 10 shows.

What was Gary Wilmot's first West End show?

Gary Wilmot's first West End show was Copacabana which opened in 1994

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