Christmas at Castle Howard: A Wicked experience with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz
This Christmas, Castle Howard becomes the land of Oz as a Wicked theme takes over. Stephanie Smith reports – plus how to see it for yourself.
Castle Howard hosts the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, as the 300-year-old House becomes a magical and immersive Christmas experience, dressed in decorations, floristry, projections, lighting and sound, for a festive take on L Frank Baum’s original story – with a touch of the Wicked.
York-based CLW Event Design, headed by Adrian Lillie and Charlotte Lloyd Webber, has worked on the project since January, with huge set pieces built on the Castle Howard Estate before being moved into the House.
“We have gone back to the book,” Adrian says. “It felt like it had some gravitas that helped us tell the story in the house, because everything we design is specific to the venue.
“We have a crashed prairie house, full-scale, as you come in, in an amazing Kansas prairie cyclone. We will meet all the characters as we go through the bedroom wing, and arrive at the Emerald City.”
Theatre company Imitating the Dog has provided the projections and soundscapes that bring the narrative from the original book to life.
There is local inspiration too - the Emerald City High Street features life-size shop fronts inspired by the Shambles in York.
The Great Hall - the masterpiece of architect Sir John Vanbrugh’s design, giving Castle Howard its distinctive domed silhouette – hosts a 28-foot Christmas tree decorated with thousands of emerald-inspired decorations.
There are touch boxes available with sensory objects to help tell the story of the space. There are also Calm sessions and a BSL interpreted session.
“For the youngest of visitors, we have got a really cute Toto trail,” says Adrian. “There are some quite sophisticated touches as well for an adult audience.”
Castle Howard staff and volunteers have been helping with decorations. There are 30,000 baubles. It all took 10 days to complete, reusing and recycling products where possible, and favouring sustainable materials such as paper and glass.
Castle Howard Visitor Attraction director, Abbigail Ollive, said: ‘Every year it gets bigger and better, and we can’t wait to share our extravaganza with our visitors who come back each Christmas.
“We are also excited to offer £5 tickets to those in receipt of Max Cards and Universal Credit so that our festive celebrations are opened to a wider audience.”
Castle Howard has employed an additional 100 Christmas staff from the local area, on top of their year-round staff, supported by a team of 200 volunteers.
There is a Bettys shop in the Stable Courtyard alongside Castle Howard’s Farm Shop, the Courtyard Café and the Garden Centre, where dogs can meet Santa Paws in the Garden Centre, no booking required.
Christmas at Castle Howard with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz runs until January 4. From £23, includes access to the Gardens from first opening. See here: https://www.castlehoward.co.uk/whats-on/christmas-at-castle-howard Universal Credit and Max Card tickets available on selected dates. Other attractions include Father Christmas in the Castle which runs until December 24; Santa’s Grotto in the Boathouse, December 6–24; Oz Twilight Tours; Wreath Making Workshops; Christmas Afternoon Tea until December 31. See castlehoward.co.uk.