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Liz Hoggard's rating
We're off to sing The Wizard
By
Liz Hoggard
24 Jul 2008
The Wizard of Oz is the great movie of exile and lost childhood. The inadequacy of adults in her hometown in Kansas takes 15-year-old Dorothy on an epic journey. After a series of terrifying adventures, she realises that she can take control of her own destiny and that home is what we choose to make it.
No wonder the film is a favourite with writers and psychotherapists - "It made a writer of me," Salman Rushdie claims. Through the mythic dimension of film we get to ask ourselves the big questions: Am I loveable? Or silly and foolish? Who will help us parent ourselves?
The Wizard of Oz regularly tops all-time film polls. Last year Unesco listed it on its Memory of the World Register. To celebrate the 70th anniversary next year, fashion designers from Gwen Stefani to Christian Louboutin have been commissioned by upmarket jeweller Swarovski to recreate those iconic ruby slippers.
And now, for the first time, a musical version of The Wizard of Oz is being staged in London. The show, based on the classic 1939 film, features live music from a 20-piece band, including classic songs Somewhere Over the Rainbow, We're Off to See The Wizard and Follow the Yellow Brick Road.
London fell in love with Wicked! (based on a cult book, inspired by the original film, about the good and bad witches). And director Jude Kelly has worked some magic with London revivals of Carmen Jones and On the Town. But can The Wizard of Oz succeed as a musical?
The omens are good as is the eclectic cast: Sian Brooke is Dorothy, Adam Cooper the Tin Man, Roy Hudd the Wizard of Oz, Hilton McRae the Scarecrow and Gary Wilmot the Cowardly Lion. Best of all, Julie Legrand - who has appeared in everything from Philip Ridley plays to Footballers' Wives - is a genuinely scary casting as the Wicked Witch of the West.
You just have to hope they have an easier time than the original film cast. Judy Garland, who played the original Dorothy, was pumped full of drugs by the studio. Margaret Hamilton, the Wicked Witch, was seriously burned when she went up in a puff of smoke. Even the first Tin Man deleveloped an allergic reaction to the silver paint - and had to quit.
The Wizard of Oz is previewing now at the Festival Hall (0871 663 2584) and runs until 31 August. www.southbankcentre.co.uk
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (7)
Yes I'm afraid it really is that bad - everyone else I know who has seen it has walked out halfway through I'm afraid. We stuck around to see the 'Emerald City' - big mistake. It would be a good idea to just look at the poster and listen to the original soundtrack. IN its favour, the shop has some terrific merchandise - and you don't have to pay £50 for the pleasure of popping in there for a look.
- S Lenton, London, 30/07/2008 07:12
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Is it really that bad? I have tickets with my young daughters in a couple of weeks - may have to start managing expectations...
- Tillyboggis, London UK, 29/07/2008 10:49
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Really disappointing. I agree with the previous poster, go see Wicked. The visuals are terrible and not worth the money they are charging. The orchestra and cast however are wonderful, the production is not.
- Ben, islington, 29/07/2008 01:26
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Wasn't exactly magical was it? The graphics were dire. The stage was far too shallow and unvaried, there were far too few big musical numbers and very little sparkle. Absolutely no WOW factor.
- Tomo, London, 27/07/2008 22:15
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Saw this last night and left rather disappointed to say the least. The performances are great and the costumes are nigh on perfect to the original film. It starts well and the atmosphere and times of Kansas are recreated beautifully. However. As soon as the tornado starts, the visuals take a huge downturn and the atmospheric photographs and moving imagery on the large screen behind the built set are replaced with very rushed, very distracting, ugly computer graphics which don't suit the piece in the slightest. These graphics really spoil what could be a wonderful show. I know this show is aimed at children, but even so, children today are used to more sophisticated imagery - especially with shows such as Wicked proving so popular with a younger audience. I really wanted to love this show, but I just can't get over the appalling visualisations. See Wicked instead as you get much much more for your money. 4/10 I'm afraid.
- S Lenton, London, 26/07/2008 10:24
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Loved it!
- Danny, London, 25/07/2008 16:55
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'For the first time'. Other than the RSC production of a good few years ago?
- Andrew Horberry, Toronto, Canada, 24/07/2008 21:39
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