Kansas not only transforms into the merry old land of Oz this Summer in Cardiff, but Harold Arlen and E.Y.Harburg along with Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and of course Tim Rice have transformed this 1939 classic film into a musical full of colour, wonder and loveable characters who keep you smiling throughout the whole performance. Even the evil ones!
If you are thinking this is just another Panto version of this well loved tale then you are most certainly wrong. This is the beautifully produced and cleverly reworked 2011 West End hit musical and it is not one to miss.
There are of course all the classic songs, but many are updated slightly to a more modern version. There are graphics that have been so maticulasly designed to enhance the story and projected so perfectly and a use of costumes that feels almost like the incredible ones we have seen previously in Wicked, but as if they are 10 or 20 years in the future (much like the story).
This adaptation to me felt like when the film Charlie And The Chocolate Factory was reworked with Jonny Depp. The Munchkins have been given a similar modernisation as the Umpa Lumpas were given and I for one absolutely loved it. It felt as though someone had said “What if the Munchkins were the social media influencers of Oz?”.
There of course is a cast to die for in this touring production. Craig Revel Horwood gives an almost Ursula esk performance with his playful take on The Wicked Witch of The West. His vocals are strong and powerful and his final melting is cleverly staged.
Aston Merrygold (JLS) as The Tin Man, was someone I worried about as I have witnessed various boy band members try and transition to musical theatre and I am often underwhelmed, but Merrygold bucked the trend and was great casting with his robot style dance moves and great delivery of If I Only Had A Heart.
Benjamin Yates as the Scarecrow reminded me of a floppy cowboy with a little sprinkle of sass. His comedy timing and loveable character were a pleasure to watch and again his voice was one I would love to hear more of.
The Cowardly Lion seems to be a part that Nic Greenshields was made for (I mean litterally the man stands pretty tall over the others). He delivers this brilliantly clever performance as the scaredy cat king of the woods who just wants to be given courage. Another character that we have all loved for so long and will love more after seeing Greenshields version.
Alex Bourne as the Wizard just felt so in control and was a much needed calm amongst the storm that is Oz. Then of course I am sure you all want to know who is playing Dorothy. Aviva Tulley who on paper is one of the least experienced in the cast with only one other theatre show on her C.V so far, but there is no way you would tell. Tulley expertly leads the characters through each scene with a strong potrayal of the girl that so many little girls have dreamt of playing. Her delivery of Over The Rainbow was beautifully flawless.
Another Question I am sure you want to ask is how do they bring Toto to life in this show? Well much like Life of Pi and The Lion King, this production does not risk using live animals, but instead uses extremely realistic puppetry handled by Abigail Matthews and you soon forget that Toto isn’t actually a real dog. Well at least untill his cute talking moment.
With Wicked due to hit Cardiff this November and the screens late November this is a great way to remind yourself of the characters and the wonderful world of Oz.
The Wizard Of Oz is on at Wales Millennium Centre until the 28th of July and you can book tickets now.
