The Wizard Of Oz (Hull New Theatre, Personal)

 🌟 The Wizard Of Oz 🌟

27 January 2024  I  2:30pm  I  Hull New Theatre

★★★★★

I have to be honest, and I feel like a terrible theatre kid for saying that I have never seen the 1939 film adaptation of The Wizard Of Oz, based off the L. Frank Baum original novel. I have seen clips from this fan favourite, and Nikolai Foster's direction is somewhat like a wild hallucination of colour and spectacle. However this is everything that draws me in to a musical. The production value is immensely impressive, with a hybrid multimedia design that revels in creative staging opportunities, enhancing the true magic of Oz. There's no place like... Hull when The Wizard Of Oz is here!!

Returning to the style of multimedia, Douglas O'Connell's projection work breaks the traditional boundaries of what a stage musical can do, experimenting with such vivid imagery to bring the magic of the story to fruition. Set pieces (designed by Colin Richmond) are often fleeting, where combinations of larger than life screenwork and clever props allow for seamless transitions between scenes. Especially the infamous tornado sequence, when you are confronted by whirling imagery and Iestyn Griffiths' orchestra, you are truly enveloped in the action. The soundtrack is delivered with such might, yet a bouncy lovability to reminisce over the familiar songs. With Webber and Rice adapting the show with added songs, the amalgamation of modern and well-known songs is almost impossible to differentiate. The earworms are never ending!!

The stage is humongous, and although it may find itself empty, Shay Barclay's choreography work more than makes up for this, as bodies generate the energy. It's all about the way the actors hold their bodies, portraying a delicate affluence to the rigidness of the Wicked Witch's minions, which builds the atmosphere rather than attempting overly flashy and complicated sets. Such bizarreness finds ways to embrace the unique!! And this is where I have a personal preference over Wicked, another Ozian adaptation, where The Wizard Of Oz removes the static, using Barclay's movement which never has a single dull moment!

Leading with the role of Dorothy, Sydney Spencer is endlessly joyous, encapsulating everything the plot holds. She is such an endearing actress, where there is something so special watching her emotive journey, and easy to sympathise. Also, you HAVE to be there for Spencer's Over The Rainbow, you rarely see such solo excellence in performance, a treat for an engrossed and packed audience! With puppetry design from Rachael Canning, a small Toto is an adorable companion to Dorothy, sharing the journey and allowing for such beautiful relationships. Tyler Ephraim brings the puppet to life, where the attention to detail with tail wagging etc. ignites the genuine comfort of a dog.

The Vivienne, star of RuPaul's Drag Race UK delivers the role of The Wicked Witch Of The West, and wicked truly is the name!! I am a fan of The Vivienne myself, but I feel like, from an unbiased view, that drag really elevates the theatrics needed. She handled the role with perfection for me, where the level of menace she depicts is antagonising (and rather unhinged!), yet a playfulness that is still entertaining for children, an all round excellent family show!

Contrasted brilliantly by Emily Bull's Glinda, Canning's costume work greatly sets their two worlds apart almost in a pantomime's aesthetic, but still giving the seriousness with heartfelt themes. Bull's soprano vocals are phenomenal, and her little scooter is everything, modernising the well known tale with an extra bit of sparkle! Benjamin Yates as the Scarecrow is my favourite performance of the afternoon, with an irresistible cheeky chappy smile, such an incredible way of moving his body. I adore his character work, every tiny little movement is executed with such passion!!

Additionally, I have to credit Hull New Theatre for an excellent hospitality from their venue and staff. While my ticket has not been gifted via PR, the team have been extremely generous in offering me a complimentary programme for coming along. Their reception is always extremely warm and welcoming, I will have many more trips planned for the future no doubt!

The Wizard Of Oz had always been a performance that I haven't fully convinced I would enjoy it, however THIS is the 2024 hit I have been waiting for to absolutely stun me!! The way I became truly lost in the Merry Old Land Of Oz, engrossed within this cinematically inspired stage wonder. Indeed it is hectic in every way possible, but if you're going to stage The Wizard Of Oz, it can't be done better than this!

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