The Wiz

Synopsis

This highly contemporary reworking of The Wizard of Oz stays closely to the much loved story as Dorothy is once again whisked off to the land of Oz on a whirlwind, so that she can skip along the Yellow Brick Road with familiar characters such as the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Lion, an extremely Wicked Witch and a Wonderful Wizard. The powerful new score is a dazzling, lively mixture of rock, gospel and soul that provides inspiration for some electrifying dance numbers.

Our Review:

Ruth Kilner - 2 July 2011

Josette Bushell-Mingo‘s sparkly new reworking of The Wiz has “eased on down” to the West Yorkshire Playhouse. Following Birmingham Rep's successful run at the city's New Alexandra Theatre, this African-American version of The Wizard of Oz takes Dorothy out of Kansaas into modern day Leeds.

Earlier this year, open auditions took place across Leeds for the community cast that support Dorothy (X-Factor’s Treyc Cohen), the Lion (Clive Rowe), the Scarecrow (Wayne Robinson), the Tinman (Horace Oliver) and The Wiz himself (Peter Straker). The young singers, actors and dances in the ensemble have done us proud with their animated, lively and enchanting performances.

A feisty, rebellious teenager; Cohen‘s interpretation of Dorothy’s resentment towards Aunt Em and Uncle Henry is reminiscent of Harry Enfield‘s Kevin The Teenager. She’s frustrated and fed-up with her life in Leeds, but throughout this poignan...

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