The Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield – until 3rd February 2024
Reviewed by Daniel Wood
4****
We hopped on our brooms and flew over to Sheffield to see The Wizard of Oz. But does it soar, or crash and burn like a house in a twister?
Direct from The London Palladium, this production by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group is embarking on a major UK tour.
The large cast and crew work hard to bring new magic and energy to this well-worn road. Aviva Tulley’s Dorothy is believable and sincere, and she captures the innocence of a lost girl trying to find her way home. Stunning vocals too.
UK Drag Race winner The Vivienne dons the green slap as The Witch of the West. A smart casting choice, she relishes every moment and truly puts the wicked in Wicked Witch. The Vivienne looks incredible and is also a vocal powerhouse and strong performer – Red Shoes Blues in Act Two is a showstopper. She also nails the evil laugh without venturing into panto territory.
Nice-but-dim Scarecrow (Benjamin Yates) is effortlessly likeable and adds some comic relief. Nic Greenshields plays the Cowardly Lion with a nod to the MGM film role, and gets some of the biggest laughs with his cowardly capering as the big scaredy-cat. There’s nothing clunky about Marley Fenton’s Tin Man either, he puts the cool in ‘coolant’ with slick modern dance moves. The motley trio aren’t rusty when it comes to vocals; all three can sing well and have plenty of opportunity to shine.
Alex Bourne’s Wizard (and Professor Marvel in Kansas) is full of eccentric charm, and I think could make a good Willy Wonka! All the ensemble performers also have plenty of energy, and some snappy costume changes.
Special mention must go to Toto, portrayed through precise puppetry by Tyler Ephraim. Every woof, wag and scamper is pure pooch perfection. Real dogs in other productions always get the ‘ahh factor’ but puppetry works a (dog) treat here.
A giant screen features video throughout the production, with mixed results and graphics reminiscent of dated videogames. At its best, projection helps create a dramatic tornado complete with flying cows and a spinning house. At its worst, it leaves the stage looking bare, becoming overused and too often relied upon. The Witch’s watery demise is also underwhelming, this iconic moment could use a little more inventive stage trickery.
Overall though, this is a show with plenty of polish and pizzazz. The costumes are colourful and wonderfully realised, especially The Wicked Witch’s ensemble which perfectly blends elegance and evil. The lighting design dazzles, I was especially impressed with the illuminated yellow brick road which is seamlessly manoeuvred around in sections.
The live band adds a real richness to the score, often loud but only occasionally overpowering the vocals. All the film favourites are here such as Follow the Yellow Brick Road and We’re Off to See the Wizard, but often with a twist. Somewhere Over the Rainbow is a highlight, delivered beautifully by Tulley. Additional songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice are fun, if a little forgettable.
With tickets up to £60, entrance to The Emerald City doesn’t come cheap. However, the show attracts big names with The Vivienne, and comedian Jason Manford returning as the Lion later. The Wizard of Oz has all the trappings of a big West End production, even if some of the effects could use a few squirts of oil.
Family friendly? There are a few bangs, creepy flying monkeys, and a boomingly loud computerised wizard that could scare young theatregoers. For the most part though, this is colourful family fun with plenty of toe-tapping numbers! Wonderful.