REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea - TUE 20 - SUN 25 FEB 2024
www.wizardofozmusical.com
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea - TUE 20 - SUN 25 FEB 2024
www.wizardofozmusical.com
The Wizard of Oz has to be up there with one of the most famous and popular films of all time. It made Judy Garland a star and stunned audiences with its transition from black and white film into the world of glorious technicolour. Throughout the years the Frank Baum’s original story has been adapted and re-worked with the likes of The Wiz, on stage and then on film, featuring an all black cast with Michael Jackson and Diana Ross belting out hits like Ease on Down the Road and of course the stage production of Wicked! which has become a huge hit worldwide.
It tells the story of Dorothy who runs away from home and becomes caught up in a tornado that swirls her into the world of Oz. After unintentionally killing the Wicked Witch of the East, much to the delight of the locals, she becomes friends with good witch Glinda and then meets a scarecrow, a tin man and a cowardly lion along the way to finding the Wizard of Oz, who will help her to get back home to Kansas. However, the Wicked Witch of the West is out for revenge for her sister’s demise. How will Dorothy get home?
I confess that I had my doubts that this latest version of the iconic story, with additional music and lyrics from Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice, would be nothing more than a re-jigged version of the film and previous stage versions; how wrong I was. This production is nothing less than spectacular.
In an almost immersive experience, we are flown into storm torn Kansas and introduced to Dorothy, her aunt, uncle and the farmhands and of course Toto, her dog, who is brilliantly puppeteered and brought to life by Abigail Matthews.
Aviva Tulley stars as Dorothy and instantly endears with her gorgeous vocals. Somewhere Over the Rainbow has become such a cliched song for singers to show off their vocals but this re-written version has more gentle yet focused tones. There’s a vulnerability to Aviva’s voice that truly lends itself to the role of Dorothy, however, this is a strong performance.
The absolute joy of this production is that although it has been modernised for new audiences it still lends itself entirely to the original. Frank Baum warned readers of his book that The Wizard of Oz was a ‘modernised fairy tale’ over 100 years ago and I think if he could see what Lloyd Webber and his team have done with this current version he would be pleased as punch. Die-hard fans of the original film can find comfort with subtle (and not so subtle) nods to its original actors that pop up on the many billboards in Oz, that feels like a sci-fi version of Times Square.
There are constant projections and scene changes which are magically immersive. Projection designer, Douglas O’Connell has brilliantly created a vision of Kansas, Munchkinland and the Land of Oz that will leave you wide eyed with awe. I honestly felt like I was on a Disney ride.
Of course, all this technology works fabulously well but without a talented cast, it would be pointless. This production of The Wizard of Oz hosts a plethora of talent. Gary Wilmot does a nice job in the role of titular Wizard. The Vivienne as Ms Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West is simply glorious; the Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK winner certainly has star quality and has proved that she’s not just a ‘celebrity turn’ with a magnificent performance in this iconic role, and provides a great number at the top of Act 2 and a great performance throughout.
Benjamin Yates, Marley Fenton and Nic Greenshields as the Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion are all completely endearing as well as providing some lovely comedic moments whilst also showing off some great vocals.
Talking of great vocals, Emily Bull as Aunt Em and Glinda gives an outstanding performance and has the kind of stage presence that is simply mesmerising. I loved her as Glinda, rocking up on her pink scooter and wearing a pink helmet that gave full on Penelope Pitstop vibes.
As modernised as this production is, it is constantly faithful to the original with songs such as Ding Dong the Witch is Dead, Yellow Brick Road, and of course, We’re off to see the Wizard but the additional songs written by Lloyd Webber and Rice also seamlessly blend into the score.
Also a huge appreciation to Musical Director, Iestyn Griffiths, who does a magnificent job conducting the orchestra who produce such a powerful sound, especially in the closing number. Goosebumps aplenty!
This musical really puts the ‘wonderful’ into the Wizard of Oz and if the buzz surrounding the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend straight after the show on press night is anything to go by, this is one show that you really won’t want to miss. It may be a cliche but this show really is a treat for all ages.
Review: Kim Tobin
It tells the story of Dorothy who runs away from home and becomes caught up in a tornado that swirls her into the world of Oz. After unintentionally killing the Wicked Witch of the East, much to the delight of the locals, she becomes friends with good witch Glinda and then meets a scarecrow, a tin man and a cowardly lion along the way to finding the Wizard of Oz, who will help her to get back home to Kansas. However, the Wicked Witch of the West is out for revenge for her sister’s demise. How will Dorothy get home?
I confess that I had my doubts that this latest version of the iconic story, with additional music and lyrics from Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice, would be nothing more than a re-jigged version of the film and previous stage versions; how wrong I was. This production is nothing less than spectacular.
In an almost immersive experience, we are flown into storm torn Kansas and introduced to Dorothy, her aunt, uncle and the farmhands and of course Toto, her dog, who is brilliantly puppeteered and brought to life by Abigail Matthews.
Aviva Tulley stars as Dorothy and instantly endears with her gorgeous vocals. Somewhere Over the Rainbow has become such a cliched song for singers to show off their vocals but this re-written version has more gentle yet focused tones. There’s a vulnerability to Aviva’s voice that truly lends itself to the role of Dorothy, however, this is a strong performance.
The absolute joy of this production is that although it has been modernised for new audiences it still lends itself entirely to the original. Frank Baum warned readers of his book that The Wizard of Oz was a ‘modernised fairy tale’ over 100 years ago and I think if he could see what Lloyd Webber and his team have done with this current version he would be pleased as punch. Die-hard fans of the original film can find comfort with subtle (and not so subtle) nods to its original actors that pop up on the many billboards in Oz, that feels like a sci-fi version of Times Square.
There are constant projections and scene changes which are magically immersive. Projection designer, Douglas O’Connell has brilliantly created a vision of Kansas, Munchkinland and the Land of Oz that will leave you wide eyed with awe. I honestly felt like I was on a Disney ride.
Of course, all this technology works fabulously well but without a talented cast, it would be pointless. This production of The Wizard of Oz hosts a plethora of talent. Gary Wilmot does a nice job in the role of titular Wizard. The Vivienne as Ms Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West is simply glorious; the Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK winner certainly has star quality and has proved that she’s not just a ‘celebrity turn’ with a magnificent performance in this iconic role, and provides a great number at the top of Act 2 and a great performance throughout.
Benjamin Yates, Marley Fenton and Nic Greenshields as the Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion are all completely endearing as well as providing some lovely comedic moments whilst also showing off some great vocals.
Talking of great vocals, Emily Bull as Aunt Em and Glinda gives an outstanding performance and has the kind of stage presence that is simply mesmerising. I loved her as Glinda, rocking up on her pink scooter and wearing a pink helmet that gave full on Penelope Pitstop vibes.
As modernised as this production is, it is constantly faithful to the original with songs such as Ding Dong the Witch is Dead, Yellow Brick Road, and of course, We’re off to see the Wizard but the additional songs written by Lloyd Webber and Rice also seamlessly blend into the score.
Also a huge appreciation to Musical Director, Iestyn Griffiths, who does a magnificent job conducting the orchestra who produce such a powerful sound, especially in the closing number. Goosebumps aplenty!
This musical really puts the ‘wonderful’ into the Wizard of Oz and if the buzz surrounding the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend straight after the show on press night is anything to go by, this is one show that you really won’t want to miss. It may be a cliche but this show really is a treat for all ages.
Review: Kim Tobin
Photo Credits Marc Brenner
20 – 25 Feb 2024
Cliffs Pavilion Southend www.southendtheatres.org.uk/Online/tickets-the-wizard-of-oz-southend-2023
27 Feb – 3 March 2024
Theatre Royal, Norwich www.norwichtheatre.org/whats-on/the-wizard-of-oz/
5 – 10 March 2024
Venue Cymru, Llandudno www.venuecymru.co.uk/cy/wizard-oz-0
19 – 23 March 2024
Alhambra Theatre, Bradford www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/the-wizard-of-oz
THE WIZARD OF OZ
www.wizardofozmusical.com
Music by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg
Additional Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Additional Lyrics by Tim Rice
Adaption by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams
Orchestrations by David Cullen
Orchestrations adapted by George Dyer
From the book by L. Frank Baum
Based Upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by Warner Media, and produced with the permission of Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and EMI Music Publishing
Director Nikolai Foster
Choreographer Shay Barclay
Set Designer Colin Richmond
Projection Designer Douglas O’Connell
Costume and Puppet Designer Rachael Canning
Lighting Designer Ben Cracknell
Sound Designer Adam Fisher
Creative Consultant Mark Kaufman
Musical Supervisor George Dyer
Casting by Debbie O’Brien
Props Supervisor Marcus Hall Props
Wigs, Hair and Makeup Designer Elizabeth Marini
Tickets
www.wizardofozmusical.com
Social Media
Instagram: @yellowbrickroad
Twitter: @yellowbrickroad
Facebook: @WizardOfOzTheMusical
