The Wizard of Oz

Synopsis

Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their heart’s desires. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys as you rediscover the real story of Oz in this fantastic musical treat for all the family.

Our Review:

30 July 2008

It seems only right that, with its curiously Gothic prequel Wicked still defying gravity at the Apollo Victoria, The Wizard of Oz should take a first London bow after twenty years. This is the stage version of the 1939 MGM movie John Kane adapted for the RSC at the Barbican in 1987, which Southbank director Jude Kelly also plundered in her final season in charge of the West Yorkshire Playhouse six years ago.

Spectacularly designed by Mark Thompson, the RSC version (Imelda Staunton was a chunky Dorothy Gale) was camp, colourful and charmless. The last two epithets apply to Kelly’s robust production which nonetheless trudges along at nearly three hours playing time, with an energy-sapping, tinny sound system and over-emphatic playing style.

The twenty-piece band under Jonathan Gill is well balanced with the metallic voices and in its own disposition of strings and wind. Designer Michael Vale uses a split ...

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Latest User Review

Richard Kiddle - 17 August 2008:

I was pleasantly surprised by this show, it's really not as bad as some reviews suggest. The cast are terrific as is the orchestra and there are plenty of enjoyable moments. The running time is now about 2 hours and 40 minutes. The infamous projected animations, are, however, unforgiveable-absolutely atrocious-they add zero to the show and take up far too much of the stage. Luckily I was sitting near the front of the stage and for the most past was able to ignore them and concentrate on the wonderful performers instead. Whilst the acting is top notch, the production value are definitely "am-dram"-particular low points were the Twister and ..ahem...transformation from Kansas to Oz (this consisted of an endlessly revolving stage and a lot of dry ice and those awful cartoon projections), the Wizard (more of the same but with a green shower curtain!) and probably worst of all, the appearance of the Emerald City which is laugh-out-loyd atrocious. A great shame for the very talented cast. However, myself and two friends still left feeling entertained and snging the songs. It's worth a visit as long as you don't expect spectacle as you sure as hell won't get that! ...

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