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Wizard Of Oz?

Started by originalitgirl, Jul 02 2008 10:30 PM

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#41 Guest_guestofoz_*

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 05:42 PM

in response to what is clearly somebody in the southbank marketing department trying to judge everyones opinions on here as being stuck in an old way of thinking and not allowing for new reimagining of old productions you are very wrong. i think you have misjudged posters on this forum. im all for reinvention. but the show you are trying to defend hasnt reinvented the piece. we are not reacting to that. we are reacting to it being a weak production. terrible even in some sections. and i know the space has restrictions but ive seen better shows in smaller spaces.

i went to see the show after reading some quite negative reviews on here. i wanted to make my own judgement. while reading whatsonstage every so often when i want to decide whether to see the show i never write on the forum out of respect to the cast and the creative team. however in this instance i felt so annoyed with the production that i think people should be warned against paying £50 a head to see something that is generally boring and unimaginative. the child in front of me was very uninterested and a woman behind me fell asleep snoring all the way through act 2.

so southbank, you should count your blessings you have such a wonderful cast and orchestra. they really are fantastic. adam cooper is great, sian is wonderful and so is gary wilmot. they are wonderful with the children and it was a joy to see them act and sing to the amazing orchestral score. but the production they are in is weak, on ideas, colour, magic, and fun.

so well done to the marketing department on your poster and flyers, looks wonderful. it got me in the door even reading some terrible reviews on here. but it is false advertising as there is nothing as magical and joyous on stage.

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#42 Guest_wiz fan_*

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Posted 29 July 2008 - 07:59 AM

QUOTE(Margie @ Jul 28 2008, 11:47 AM)

I quite agree

I think a lot of people don’t like it when things are done differently “Oh it’s been done like that for years. Why change it?” – oh give us a break and move with the times.

Even before this show opened a lot of people had their knifes out ready for it. Gowd knows why. So it’s hardly surprising people are ready to trash it.

I’m seeing it’s final performance and I can’t wait. Jude Kelly I feel is a strong director, Carmen Jones and On the Town stand out as some of my all time classic nights in the theatre.

I went along to see Wizard not with my knife drawn, but really wanting to enjoy it, and have come away feeling crashingly disappointed.

There is nothing wrong with re-interpreting classics, as long as your concept is worthwhile, and this one simply isn't. It's a mess from beginning to end. It's interesting how material so apparently simple as The Wizard of Oz can show a director for what they really are. And the designer should be arrested. And the projection illustrator should be sent back to nursery.

It's all bloody concept and no content. And the cast are poorly directed. Dorothy is completely un-endearing and sings like a 40 year old woman. The Witch's performance is another good example. As Miss Gulch she is truly frightening, but as the Witch she is just another cape swirling, green-faced cheap imitation of Margaret Hamilton, like you'd find in any panto. You can't say you're following some new concept on one hand, and then just cut and paste from the movie with the other.

Ian Judge's RSC production was magical, inventive, well-cast throughout (this production isn't) and truly brought the spirit of the film to life on stage. That's what people want, and that's what the Southbank's marketing material promises. What they get is some half-cocked reimagining that looks like it was mounted on a budget of £15.

Good things: the orchestra (amazing), Adam Cooper, Hilton McRae and Gary Wilmot all work really hard, the painfully under used ensemble (no Jitterbug), the dog. Go and see it for the dog.

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#43 Guest_Guest_*

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Posted 29 July 2008 - 08:25 AM

This is the best thread ever

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#44 jimee1987

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Posted 29 July 2008 - 11:04 AM

QUOTE(wiz fan @ Jul 29 2008, 08:59 AM)

I went along to see Wizard not with my knife drawn, but really wanting to enjoy it, and have come away feeling crashingly disappointed.

Good things: the orchestra (amazing), Adam Cooper, Hilton McRae and Gary Wilmot all work really hard, the painfully under used ensemble (no Jitterbug), the dog. Go and see it for the dog.

I really wanted to enjoy it too, and on one hand I did. Once I started ignoring certain things and using my imagination more then should have been necessary.

The dog was fab, me and my freinds got to see him afterwards but him and his owner (who didn't look very old) had to rush for a train.

I feel a bit sorry for the cast, and the people who have paid full whack for their tickets. As I said in my previous post we hadn't paid very much for our tickets so it didn't seem as bad as it could have.

"Condoms don't even go with lasagne"

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#45 Guest_freddy_*

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Posted 29 July 2008 - 12:57 PM

QUOTE(Guest_achilles_* @ Jul 27 2008, 10:31 PM)

Probably the last West Yorkshire Playhouse was the best I have seen though they copped out in the transformation scene by using a film of a twister and a falling house - they did however have some brilliant flying and a very disconcerting huge floating eye. Can't wait for their Peter Pan this year. They certainly know how to do christmas shows and on a huge scale.

i agree with everything you say but please note that the wizard of oz you refer to is a bham rep production by rachel kavanagh which has been done twice then transferred to WYP, peter pan which is what you guys are getting this year after its run at the rep last xmas is very good!. slightly annoyingly the rep recieved the appaling alice in wonderland from WYP in return for Oz and we all hope that the lion witch and wardrobe which is the upcoming WYP production in exchange for Peter Pan is better.

happy xmas lol