Walsall Arena is celebrating its most successful pantomime season to date, with The Wizard of Oz becoming the venue’s best-selling production ever.
A total of 8,590 tickets were sold across 19 performances, surpassing the previous record of 7,865 tickets set last year. The show, which is the only professional pantomime staged in Walsall, attracted audiences of all ages throughout the festive period.
Families turned out in large numbers to follow Dorothy and her companions along the Yellow Brick Road, with the production featuring elaborate costumes, detailed sets and a mix of comedy and music. Performances played to consistently full audiences, with strong demand across the run.
Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Health and Wellbeing at Walsall Council, said:
“ It’s fantastic to see The Wizard of Oz become our best-selling pantomime ever. These record-breaking figures are a real testament to the hard work and talent of everyone involved. I would like to say a huge thank you to the cast and crew for delivering such a high-quality production, and of course to our wonderful audiences for their incredible support. Walsall Arena continues to go from strength to strength, and we are proud to bring such magical experiences to local families year after year. “
Following the success of the pantomime, Walsall Arena has announced a packed programme of events for early 2026, including comedy, live music and theatre performances.
Comedy fans can look forward to a performance by viral comedian Hannah East on Friday 20 February, bringing her latest show Express Yourself to the stage. Later that month, a new comedy club launches in partnership with Funny Beeseness, featuring a line-up including Russell Kane, Stephen Bailey and Jo Enright.
Music and tribute acts are also set to feature prominently in the programme. Highlights include Oasish – The History of Oasis and Beyond on 6 March, celebrating the legacy of the Gallagher brothers, and Hits Out of Hell – The Legend of Meat Loaf on 7 March, showcasing classic rock anthems.
Audiences can also enjoy Copacabana Magic – The Barry Manilow Show on 13 March, featuring a live band and performances of some of the artist’s best-known hits.
Planning is already underway for next year’s pantomime, with further details expected to be announced in the coming months as the venue continues to build on its recent success.