THEATRE REVIEW: The Wizard Of Oz
- Posted on July 24, 2008 11:42 AM
- 2 comments
The Wizard Of Oz
London's Royal Festival Hall
July 23rd 2008
Reviewed by Adam Walker (during previews)
With promises of the Southbank Centre transformed into the Emerald City, the first major staging in London for years and acclaimed Artistic Director Jude Kelly on board, the anticipation for the Royal Festival Hall's revival of 'The Wizard of Oz' had reached fever pitch.
Sadly it failed to deliver on any level. First and foremost the space is just not designed for a West End-style show; whilst impressive it is more akin to hosting the Royal Phillimonic Orchestra, it is vast and soulless - the stage feeling somewhat dwarfed amongst the many tiers and boxes.
The much lauded 'visual installation' cut an interesting landscape across the break of a proscenium arch - but this kind of projection has all been seen before, if most recently by its neighbour the National Theatre in the spectacular 'War Horse', also currently enjoying a second season. Likewise for the revolving stage. Nothing here was fresh or original. If anything, it seemed a tad lazy and uninspired.
The 'special' effects and costumes felt cheap; the tornado scene was plain embarrassing. At times feeling nothing more than a pantomime and at worst a school play (note the use of children as the munchkins - a big no-no), there was real scope here for a no-expense spared spectacle; the ticket prices certainly do not reflect where the money has been spent - top price seats at West End prices of fifty pounds.
Sian Brooke's Dorothy was a further disappointment. More Liza Minnelli than Judy Garland, her accent was overplayed and her singing slightly cabaret. And Julie Legrand's Wicked Witch of the West was so hammed up she simply appeared nothing more than a panto-villan.
The big numbers sounded disjointed and at times out of tune. The chorography didn’t fair much better, unchallenging and staid. Whilst faults such as these can be rectified during the two weeks of previews, it’s all a little too late for the bigger picture. The marketing team should re-pitch this at families and children, perhaps the clue was in the timing – the show runs for the majority of the school holidays. For everyone else, if you haven’t see it already, head down to Victoria and watch the fantastic ‘Wicked’.
Related links:
The Royal Festival Hall.
The Wizard Of Oz tickets.
All theatre tickets.
Comments (2)
Wayne
The worst show I have ever seen. Badly directed and mis-cast. No magic, no wonder, no pace. The orchestra sounded lovely though.
Posted on August 14, 2008 7:22 PM
toby
Probably the best way to waste an entire evening is watching this... if your thinking about going to see it, your better off banging your head against a brick wall... 'Wicked' very good, 'Wizard of Oz' utter utter rubbish
Posted on August 20, 2008 12:03 PM
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