WIZARD OF OZ till 21 January
Wizard of Oz: L Frank Baum
Birmingham Rep
Runs: 2h 30m till 21 January 2006
Review: Rod Dungate 5 December 2005
A true delight for old and young, and young and old
Rachel Kavanaugh's revival of her 2003/4 production has all the magic of its original. And it's a great big pile of magic too - a true delight for younger and older alike.
For the young people the story is fast, clear and seen through the eyes of young Dorothy. The characters are broadly drawn and the moral – we shouldn't look for courage, intellect, love to be given to us, we must work to find them in ourselves – universal. But then I suppose the older ones among us can enjoy all these things too.
For the older members of the audience there are Peter McKintosh's stunningly beautiful designs – elegant and colourful they enable the show to move forwards without missing a beat. And there are the liberal helpings of wit sprinkled throughout. But then young people are totally able to appreciate these things as well.
Helen Owen plays Dorothy; I was struck by the naturalness she brings to this iconic role. It's noticeable right from the start as she glides into her first song – you almost don't notice her doing it. Always engaging, she has great vigour too. Her energy is ably matched by her three companions – Scarecrow (David Lucas – great dancer too), Tin Man (Giles Taylor) and Lion (Samuel James). The four of them together always look as if they're having a ball – which no doubt they are – and the feeling's infectious.
Sarah Redmond's high-pitched shrieking Wicked Witch is great value; she looks marvellous on the ground and even more marvellous side-saddle on her broomstick.
Among all this we mustn't lose sight of some excellent Munchkins and Emerald Citizens (big and small). And especially memorable are the close singing trios – first the crows and then some outrageous Apple Trees.
Dorothy: Helen Owen
Aunt Em/ Glinda the Good Witch of the North: Kirsty Hoiles
Uncle Henry/ Emerald City Guard/ Crow: Martin Callaghan
Hunk/ Scarecrow: David Lucas
Hickory/ Tin Man: Giles Taylor
Zeke/ Lion: Samuel James
Miss Gultch/ Wicked Witch of the West: Sarah Redmond
Professor Marvel/ Wizard of Oz: Paul Leonard
Munchkin Mayoress/ Apple Tree: Sharon Wattis
Munchkin Coroner/ Apple Tree/ Mikko: Kirsty Malpass
Munchkin Barrister/ Apple Tree: Selina Chiltron
Snowflakes, Munchkins, Oz Children:
Emily Bent, Jade Chandler, Choloe Collins, Samantha Fletcher, Annabelle Kelly, Karmil Harris, Georgina Hughes, Paul Joannou, Chris Keating, Jacob Lloyd, Rebecca Macdonald Taylor, Pip Turner, Keenen Anderson, Jonathan Donaghy, Bethany Gammarck, Marcus Hubbard, Harpreet Garcha, Rosie Mackie, Edd Paul, Bradley Redden, Charlotte Reilly, Ellie Wakefield, Kayleigh Walters, Paris Wright
Director: Rachel Kavanaugh
Designer: Peter McKintosh
Lighting Designer: Mark Jonathan
Musical Director: Stephen Ridley
Choreographer: Renny Arnold
Sound Designer: Alan Mathieson
Musical Arranger: Steven Edis
Assistant Director: Thomas Hescott
Dialect Coach: Jeannette Nelson
Assistant to the Lighting Designer: James Smith
Flying Effects by: Freedom Flying
Twister Scene by: Second Home Productions
2005-12-07 15:03:56