The Wizard of Oz by Bristol Old Vic Theatre School review
Posted on: 2017-12-02
Our rating:
You’ll certainly be humming the famous score all the way home - with or without ruby slippers to get you there. Don’t miss this journey down the yellow brick road: The Wizard of Oz is running at The Redgrave Theatre until Tuesday 19th December.
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s production of the The Wizard of Oz at The Redgrave Theatre is a delight for the whole family. This famous tale of self-discovery about a girl from Kansas and her four-legged best friend is magically brought to life on stage.
Award-winning director Peter Leslie Wild has taken the story back to L. Frank Baum’s original 1900 novel, focusing on the influence of strong female characters on our heroine Dorothy and this through-line comes through well. It is certainly relevant to our sensibilities in 2017 and brings new perspective to the well-known story.
From dreary Kansas we’re transported to Oz through a variety of exciting techniques. Magical appearing and disappearing effects gained ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from the audience, with everything from puppets to costumes to umbrella poppy fields there is constantly something to keep an eye on. The actor-musicianship of some cast members was a delight, although perhaps with uncertain purpose, and is a reflection on the immense talent of these actors. It’s in no doubt that one of the stars is Toto, a life size dog puppet, that sees the company put their puppetry skills to the test in turn with great success.
One of the standout performances of the evening was Bonnie Baddo as the Wicked Witch of the West. She was terrifyingly brilliant and warranted lots of boos and hisses, indeed this production is certainly a great alternative to a traditional pantomime and even features “he’s behind you” moments.
Liyah Summers portrayal of Dorothy was a contrast to Judy Garland’s interpretation but was very much in keeping with Baum’s original character. Although she is at first portrayed as stroppy teen Dorothy transitions into a much more assertive heroine by the final curtain. It wouldn’t be The Wizard of Oz without Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg’s famous music and lyrics. It was a joy to hear the company perform and Summers’ rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow was strong and beautifully sung.
Scarecrow (Pedro Leandro), Tinman (Cecilia Crossland) and Cowardly Lion (Alex Wilson) work wonderfully as a trio as they adventure with Dorothy. With a giant mane and dressed in the style of a turn of the century boxer, Wilson commanded the stage as Lion. This vintage theme carries through into many of the costumes Angela Davies has designed, especially the Emerald City citizens’ outfits that, even in their vibrant green, have an element of steampunk about them.
Davies set is versatile and transforms seamlessly from location to location. The reveal of the yellow brick road is beautifully simple but very clever and a small homage to the use of Technicolor in the 1939 film is a lovely touch.
The interaction with set and props really brought the whole production together. As well as the use of physical theatre in the storytelling, Clare Fox brought humour to her choreography with the Munchkins in Munchkin Land being particularly funny.
Whilst the set may not have the colour one might expect given the vibrancy of the film, there is no disappointment when our adventurers reach Emerald City in search of the mystical wizard himself! In his Lighting Design debut Ryan Searle creates a stunning emerald green tableaux to frame the interval.
All in all the production was side-splittingly funny with en-pointe comic timing and puns that kept the audience in stitches for the entire show.
You’ll certainly be humming the famous score all the way home - with or without ruby slippers to get you there. Don’t miss this journey down the yellow brick road: The Wizard of Oz is running at the Redgrave Theatre until Tuesday 19th December - tickets available here.
Article by:
Sarah currently resides south of the river. Her second home is the theatre and after graduating from Rose Bruford College she went onto work for a number of multinational clients based in the Asia Pacific region, she has since been working in business development. Sarah no longer has enough walls for the art she collects, subscribes to a monthly gin delivery, and loves anything a little bit quirky. She is a member of the WI and channels her inner adventurer in her spare time.
