The Wizard of Oz
Lyceum Sheffield, 31st January 2024
Of all musicals, The Wizard of Oz must need the least introduction such is its legendary status in film history. Those expecting a recreation of the 1930s classic are in a for a few surprises however in this stage reimagining of the tale of Dorothy, an adopted Kansas girl who feels misunderstood and longs for a better life over the rainbow. After Dorothy decides to run away from her Auntie Em, Uncle Henry and an angry neighbour set on exterminating her beloved dog Toto, she soon encounters a mysterious Professor who urges her to hurry home as a storm is brewing. A cyclone sweeps in and carries Dorothy and Toto to the land of Oz, whilst simultaneously killing off the Wicked Witch of the East with a direct hit from Dorothy’s house.
A good witch by the name of Glinda, ably assisted by the residents of Munchkinland, inform Dorothy that the only way home is to embark upon a journey along the yellow brick road to seek the assistance of the all-powerful Wizard. Along the way she encounters a brainless Scarecrow, a heartless Tin Man and a Cowardly Lion who join her on her quest, but danger is never far away. The Wicked Witch of the West, whose sister was killed by Dorothy’s house, is set on revenge and obtaining the magical ruby slippers that are now firmly in Dorothy’s possession.
Aviva Tulley is a feisty Dorothy who brings a vulnerability to the out of place orphan. Tulley has a sweet yet powerful voice which is a perfect match for the heartfelt sentiment of Over the Rainbow. The puppetry talent of Tyler Ephraim brings to life Dorothy’s mischievous dog Toto with such skill that one quickly accepts the tail wags and face licks as the real thing.
Benjamin Yates creates a loveable and loyal scarecrow with great physicality and humour whilst Nic Greenshields commands the stage with camp charm as the Cowardly Lion. Yates and Greenshield provide many of the comic highlights, making the most of the best one-liners of the evening. Marley Fenton captures the jerky movement of the rusted-up Tin Man well, but his vocal delivery falls short at times.
A highlight of this production is The Vivienne’s supremely evil Wicked Witch of the West. Widely known for her exceptional drag talent, The Vivienne proves herself to also be a formidable actor and singer. Her electric performance of Red Shoes Blues is energetic and sets the mood perfectly for a powerful second half.
Nikolai Foster’s production is colourful, creative and a refreshing new take on this adaptation by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams. New numbers created for the stage musical accompany well loved tunes such as Ding Dong the Witch is Dead, Yellow Brick Road and The Merry Old Land of Oz albeit with some modern twists. Re-working such classic songs is not without its risks however and at times the result is disappointing. One such example is the Tin Man’s Hamilton-esque rap version of If I Only Had a Heart. Fenton is undoubtedly a talented singer but this number felt somewhat out of place and didn’t serve him well.
A special mention must go to a talented ensemble who switched between playing munchkins, flying monkeys, guards, and residents of Oz with lightning speed. Wonderfully eccentric costumes add much to the feel of the show, but the quick changes must get a few pulses racing.
Since its cinematic release, the magic of The Wizard of Oz has charmed several generations of fans and this production is also set to win the hearts of young and old alike.
