This recent adaptation of the show is brought to the West End by Andrew Lloyd Webber who collaborated with Tim Rice for the first time since 1986; they have spotted some caps in the film where songs need to be put in, like for example Glinda and The Wicked Witch of the West both have songs now. The new score really works, I listened to the soundtrack before hand and really wasn't looking forward to seeing it on stage, however on stage it works but still keeps the original feel that the film had. The stage show was very much like the film but Andrew Lloyd Webber and his team has defiantly put their own touch on it by adapting the costumes and the actors have played with the characters but still all have the original essences of the characters that we all love. However I do feel there was still that extra sparkle missing, The Wizard of Oz must be one of the hardest shows to stage but there was still something missing.
Danielle Hope brings a new sweet, innocent energy to Dorothy and has
elements of Judy Garland but it defiantly isn't a replica. Danielle Hope has so
much star quality and defiantly deserves this role. I loved Marianne Benedict
and Emily Tierney as The Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda, both played the
roles magnificently. Marianne played the Witch spitefully and evil, bringing
the right amount of fear to the production but not going so far to make the
children cry! Emily was a sweet and beautiful Glinda, but what I loved about
her portrayal of the character is she gave her a full personality, not just two
dimensional. Edward Baker-Duly as the Tin Man, David Ganly as the Lion and
Paul Keating as the Scarecrow were brilliant, Paul Keating especially. All
had brilliant characterisation and played the characters wonderfully and also
had great chemistry with Dorothy.
Michael Crawford was good as the Wizard, but his other two characters felt very random and I felt they shouldn't have been there. The whole cast were supported by an exceptional ensemble who also added a lot of personality into this production.
The orchestrations were wonderful, one of the best orchestras in the West End at the moment. The music was complemented by Arlene Phillips choreography, not one of her best pieces of work, but still good. Jon Driscoll's projection designs were good and were used in a very interesting way but I do feel they were dragged on a lot at points.
This new production has been done fantastically, it's a magical production which every child (and adult!) would love!
Michael Crawford was good as the Wizard, but his other two characters felt very random and I felt they shouldn't have been there. The whole cast were supported by an exceptional ensemble who also added a lot of personality into this production.
The orchestrations were wonderful, one of the best orchestras in the West End at the moment. The music was complemented by Arlene Phillips choreography, not one of her best pieces of work, but still good. Jon Driscoll's projection designs were good and were used in a very interesting way but I do feel they were dragged on a lot at points.
This new production has been done fantastically, it's a magical production which every child (and adult!) would love!
Rating:
***
The Wizard of Oz is
currently playing at the London Palladium
