Wizard of Oz (RSC Version)

Having seen a number of RSC musical adaptations over the years I was curious to see how the WLOS team would take on the Wizard of Oz – with its logistical challenges and large junior cast.  However, I should not have had any doubts as once again the team demonstrated why they have such a great reputation for delivering high quality shows.

Andrea had obviously been working very hard with both her talented cast and production team as the design of every aspect of the production, from Kansas farmland to the various compass Kingdoms of Oz had just the right level of realism and fantasy to help suspend disbelief and let the action flow.

Turning first to the Principals – including Toto of course – Charley Hart had the unenviable task of playing Dorothy who is both the central character of the musical and has the most complex character arc from innocent teenager to strong leader of the Scarecrow, Lion and Tin man.  She delivered this character journey with great talent and was at all times believable.

Luke Neeve, Jonny White and Kristian Denman provided the comedic drive for the production as the Scarecrow/Tin Man/Cowardly Lion respectively and worked well both together and individually throughout the performance.

Sarah-Leigh Ilett seems to specialise recently in the ‘villains of the piece’ followed up a particularly fine Mrs Hannigan in Annie last year with the Wicked Witch of the West and an even more ‘evil’ Almira Gultch. Her portrayal of the latter managed to convince young and old alike in the audience that she was working to see the end of Toto without any overacting which was very impressive to watch.

Zoe Nelson was both a sympathetic Aunt Em and a Glinda all the children in the audience could look up to and be comforted by as they saw her empowering Dorothy and the team to deal with the peril of the wicked witch.

Andrew Darksus gave us a classic Wizard of Oz including the vulnerability of potentially being a fraud but still with his heart in the right place always doing things for the best of his people.  

Matthew Dawes provided excellent support as both Uncle Henry and the Emerald City Guard and with the Crows, Trees, Winkies, Flying Monkeys, Munchkins, Dancers and Ensemble delivered a great all round production.

Last but by no means least the work that Peter had put into the vocal performances of Principal and Ensemble alike shone through all afternoon and together with the great orchestra, set, costumes, lighting and sound provided a great backdrop on which the action unfolded.

Congratulations all.

Martin Holtom

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