BBC Commissions Wizard Of Oz

Following the success of How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, I’d Do Anything and Any Dream Will Do, Jay Hunt, Controller, BBC One, today announces the commission of The Wizard Of Oz which will search for Dorothy and Toto for the forthcoming Andrew Lloyd Webber West End production.

The Wizard Of Oz has been commissioned by Jay Hunt and Mark Linsey, Controller, Entertainment Commissioning.

The show will see the happy reunion of Andrew Lloyd Webber and host Graham Norton.

Andrew Lloyd Webber said: “Our previous musical talent searches have provided an incredible shot in the arm for musical theatre in Britain and I can’t wait to work with the BBC again in the hunt for Dorothy – an iconic role of course made famous by a young Judy Garland in the film in 1939, but, as a cat man myself, however, I approach casting Toto with considerable trepidation.”

Jay Hunt said: “The Wizard Of Oz is one of the great musicals and I am sure BBC One audiences will delight in having a front row seat in the casting

of a new musical star.”

Mark Linsey said: “I’m thrilled to be announcing this commission today. BBC One has a proven track record in musical theatre talent searches so I’m delighted to be working with Andrew again and can’t wait to see what wonderful talent we unearth in the process.”

The search for Dorothy will begin with auditions in several UK cities in early 2010.

The Wizard Of Oz will reunite host Graham Norton and music impresario, Andrew Lloyd Webber, who, along with a panel of experts and BBC One viewers, will choose a Dorothy who will be performing in the West End next year.

Judges are yet to be announced. The show will transmit in 2010.

The series will be made by TalkbackThames.