Theatre Royal, Nottingham – until Saturday 13 April 2024
Reviewed by Amy Coulson
5*****
Toto…reader…we’re not in Kansas anymore!
We have been transported into a strange but beautiful new land…and isn’t that just a great metaphor for visiting (or escaping to) the theatre!
I was beyond excited to find out that The Vivienne would be starring in The Wizard of Oz at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham. I knew that her uniqueness, nerve and talent would make for the most memorable wicked witch. The Vivienne found international fame when she was crowned winner on the popular TV series RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. The winner, who takes her name from the British icon Dame Vivienne Westwood lives up to her namesake in this production by being equally as stylish as she is ashamedly vocal and wickedly determined.
Joining The Vivienne, the principal company is completed by Aviva Tully (The Book of Mormon) as Dorothy, Benjamin Yates (ITV’s Emmerdale; Jersey Boys, West End) as The Scarecrow, Nic Greenshields (Love Never Dies West End; Les Misérables West End, International Tour) as The Cowardly Lion, Alex Bourne (Annie, West End, UK Tour, Toronto; Hairspray, UK Tour) as The Wizard, Emily Bull (9 to 5, UK Tour; Matilda UK Tour) as Glinda The Good Witch and Abigail Matthews as Toto (Bleak Expectations, West End; War Horse, West End).
Avia Tully’s performance as Dorothy is beautiful. Her rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow has the audience in tears and her innocent but determined nature is a joy to watch.
Toto is amongst my favourite characters, a gorgeous puppet guided by Matthew’s who moves almost in the shadows to bring this doggo to life. Absolutely magical.
Emily Bull as Glinda, The Good Witch is sickly sweet in her appearance, think Penelope Pitstop meets Barbie, and receives a modern twist by arriving on an unexpected mode of transport…you’ll have to watch it, no spoilers here!
Yates as The Scarecrow is hilarious as he strives to remember what he’s missing and where he’s going and Greenfields as the Cowardly Lion is a slice of nostalgia as he does a wonderful job of mimicking the character we knew and loved as children and
I have to say that this production does not rest its laurels on its fabulous casting or indeed its infamous story. There is an extra injection of camp here, which makes for an enjoyable if not pantomime-esque show. At the interval I wonder if the chorus of Elton John and Su Pollard lookalikes is a step too far, but then I see the look on my Mums face and decide it’s all good fun!
Set Designer Colin Richmond has certainly had a lot of fun, bringing the infamous yellow brick road to life. The projection design by Douglas O’Connell gives us something that feels straight out of London; exciting and modern.
I did find the Cowardly Lion’s trainers and socks a little distracting, does Adidas exist in Oz too I found myself thinking, but otherwise, Costume and Puppet Designer Rachael Canning has done a splendid job. The stage is awash with colour and again, the puppet is wonderful in its movement and personality.
Time to click my heels and make my way home, but I’ll be sure to follow the yellow brick road back to the Theatre Royal Nottingham again soon for some more much-needed escapism!