WIZARD OF OZ till 24 January 2004
Birmingham
WIZARD OF OZ L Frank Baum, Music and Lyrics Harold Arlen and E Y Harburg
Birmingham Rep: Tkts: 0121 236 4455
Runs: 2h 30m, one interval, till 24 January 2004
Review: Rod Dungate, 8 December 2003
Splendid, heartwarming, a total joy from start to finish
A totally splendid version of this much loved play. In Rachel Kavanaugh's production it's pacy, bright, cheerful, clear and heartwarming. In Peter McKintosh's designs (based on circles and half-circles) it's witty, uncluttered and beautifully elegant. And most importantly of all it treats the young people in the audience with respect.
Suzanne Toase's Dorothy is a great joy. Bright as a button and a voice to match, she easefully coaxes us and leads us on our journey of discovery.
Watching the play pass in front of me it's easy to see it's lasting appeal particularly for the young people. The story is simple and direct but there is a constant introduction of interesting characters. Not only is there the famous trio (Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion) but also crows, trees, Munchkins (of course) and bugs more of them later. The trio (Michael Cahill, Robert Hands and Jamie Beamish) play with great energy, relishing in the broad comedy while never patronising the young people.
There is a terrific period feel to the musical arrangements: this reaches a marvellous height with the Jitterbug number. Wittily choreographed by Jenny Arnold her work is a delight throughout it's fabulously led by Leroy Ricardo Jones.
And of course . . . the Munchkins, big and small. The only word to describe them MAGIC.
Dorothy: Suzanne Toase
Aunt Em/ Glinda the Good Witch of the North: Fiona Dunn
Uncle Henry/ Emerald City Guard/ Crow: Lincoln Hudson
Hunk/ Scarecrow: Michael Cahill
Hickory/ Tin Man: Robert Hands
Zeke/ Lion: Jamie Beamish
Miss Gultch/ Wicked Witch of the West: Catherine Breeze
Professor Marvel/ Wizard of Oz: John Conroy
Munchkin Mayor/ Crow/ Nikko: Gerard Carey
Crow/ Jitterbug: Leroy Ricardo Jones
Munchkin Mayoress/ Apple Tree: Me'sha Bryan
Munchkin Coroner/ Apple Tree: Kirsty Hoiles
Munchkin Barrister/ Apple Tree: Katie Leeming
Tot: Leo or Trixie
Snowflakes, Munchkins and Oz Children:
Ruby Team: Amanda Poyner, Brogan Daly, Rosie Mackie, Bryoni Wareing, Grace Sylvester, Natasha Simms, Bethany Osborne, Eliot Clarke, Bradley Redden, Luke Thomas, Galloway, Mikey Lightfoot, Reiss Ives
Emerald Team: Sally-Anne Adams, Mary-Jayne Jones, Carla Dennis, Ellie Wakefield, Harpreet Garcha, Rafaella Johnson, Rebecca Macdonald Taylor, Hannah Wakefield, Chris Keating, Ed Paul, Jake Warnock, Jacob Lloyd
Director: Rachel Kavanaugh
Design: Peter McKintosh
Musical Supervisor: Catherine Jayes
Choreographer: Jenny Arnold
Lighting: Hartley TA Kemp
Sound: Alan Mathieson
Musical Director: Stephen Ridley
Musical Arranger: Steven Edis
Assistant Director: Kate Varney
Dialect Coach: Charmian Hoare
Assistant to the Designer: David Farley
Flying Effects: Freedom Flying
Tornado Scene: Second Home Productions
2003-12-09 18:13:00