Review: The Wizard of Oz, UK Tour 2024 | Glasgow
- Lisa in the theatre
- Jul 5, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 2
The Wizard of Oz ★★★★★
A cheerful, colourful, crowd-pleasing spectacular
Based on the book by L. Frank Baum
Directed by Nikolai Foster
Review: 3 July 2024 | The King's Theatre, Glasgow
We're definitely not in Kansas anymore Toto! The Glasgow King's Theatre has been transformed with the brightest, colourful, musical extravaganza you ever did ever see.
The Wizard of Oz, based on the Oscar-winning MGM film, is a musical theatre treat for the whole family. With stunning costumes, gorgeous songs, a brilliant cast and breath-taking lighting, you will soon be transported over the rainbow to the magical land of Oz.
When Dorothy Gale (Aviva Tulley) and her little dog Toto (Abigail Matthews) are swept away in a tornado, they leave Kansas behind and find themselves in the mysterious Munchkin Land. But whoops! They have landed on and killed The Wicked Witch of the East. When her distraught sister, The Wicked Witch of West (Craig Revel Horwood) arrives, she is horrified to see her sister's precious Ruby slippers on Dorothy's feet and threatens to do anything necessary to get them back. Good Witch Glinda (Emily Bull) arrives just in time to fend the witch off, and Dorothy and Toto begin their long journey home.
But Dorothy doesn't know how to get home! Glinda recommends that they pay a visit to the powerful and wonderful Wizard of Oz (Allan Stewart); if anyone knows how to get Dorothy home, it will be The Wizard. As Dorothy and Toto follow The Yellow Brick Road to Oz, they team up with a brainless scarecrow (Benjamin Yates), a heartless Tin Man (Femi Akinfolarin) and a cowardly lion (Nic Greenshields). But the Wicked Witch is never far behind...
Better than before
When I saw the UK tour production of the Wizard of Oz previously, I thought it was good, but a few issues concerned me and I awarded it 3 stars. Now six months later, I'm thrilled to report that all of my criticisms have been addressed and the show is much improved overall. There is never a blank, bare stage: More, and more detailed projections fill the backcloth with interest and intrigue. The actual stage seemed busier too - perhaps a larger ensemble or perhaps just better suited to the smaller space. There are pauses now after the musical numbers allowing ample time for applause, and the show as a whole feels timed, polished and performed to perfection.
A wonderful company
Aviva Tulley is a flawless Dorothy, and the mic / sound issues that plagued her previously are gone; she sounded clear and terrific here. Her side-kick Toto is puppeteered with incredible skill by Abigail Mathews who manages to extract so much personality and humour from the little dog. His tail is always wagging and he becomes a believable, realistic character in the show. A real hit with the audience.
Emily Bull is gorgeous as the sprightly, perfectly pink good-witch Glinda, and Benjamin Yates is tremendous yet again as the loveable Scarecrow. New addition Femi Akinfolarin brings us a much improved and energetic Tin Man. Standout of the main cast remains the magnificent Nic Greenshields who is hilarious as the cowardly lion. He is absolutely having the time of his life in this role and the kids (and adults!) loved him.
Playing The Wicked Witch of the West in Glasgow, Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood proves to be a delightfully theatrical baddie. Strutting around the stage in green makeup and a long black dress, Horwood makes for the perfect pantomime villain, but he has a genuinely great singing voice too. A few Strictly Come Dancing jokes have been added to the script just for him and they all land well with the audience. This is one Fab-u-lous Wicked Witch.
Joining the cast as The Wizard of Oz in Glasgow (and Aberdeen, and some dates in London) Scottish comedy and entertainment legend Allan Stewart is an elegant, charismatic addition to the cast. He doesn't have a huge amount of stage time in this show but it's always a pleasure to watch him perform - he so obviously delights in his job - and he nails this role with ease.
A rainbow of colour
There's a strong ensemble cast who play the Munchkins, the Ozians, the witch's soldiers and a plethora of other roles. The choreography from Shay Barclay is fun and lively, and the costumes by Rachael Canning are beautiful. This is a show that clearly has a sizeable budget behind it: everyone is impeccably turned out from head to sparkling toe.
Much of that budget must've gone on the spectacular lighting design by Ben Cracknell. The lighting for this show has to be seen to be believed; Cracknell is truly a master of his art. The stage explodes in a rainbow of colour that continues long after the cast take their final bows. If you have young ones, the bright colours and lighting in this production are sure to wow them. (Note: recommended age is 6+)
This Wizard of Oz has very little in terms of physical set - locations and scenery are instead achieved via video projections. Some people are not a fan of the use of this much video in the theatre and I completely understand that point of view; we are at the theatre not the cinema after all.
But in this show I find it works; there's still a sizable live company and props fronting the action. The video design by Douglas O'Connell is amazing. It's intricate and expansive: the variation, drama and scope achieved could not be matched by heavy, physical sets - especially not in a touring production. How the staging of this show will change for it's West End residency at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London later this summer remains to be seen. That theatre does not have the traditional proscenium arch stage, and I'm excited to see how they will make it work and fill that expansive space.
A magical, modern take on the classic film
In the meantime, the UK Tour version of The Wizard of Oz is a big cheerful, colourful, crowd-pleasing spectacular. The 1939 film masterpiece and iconic story have endured for a reason - they are full of characters we know and love, and songs we will never forget.
All the hit songs from the much-loved film are included in the stage musical: 'Over the rainbow', 'Ding Dong the Witch is Dead', 'Follow the Yellow Brick Road', 'If I only had a brain / a heart / the nerve', and 'The Merry Old Land of Oz' are all there, and there are new, original songs too. They can't compete with the classics, but the beautiful 'Already home' (which comes right at the end of the show) is a strong contender.
This production of The Wizard of Oz is a magical, modern take on the classic film and a great way to introduce the story to a whole new generation of fans. ★★★★★
The Wizard of Oz plays at Glasgow King's Theatre until Sunday 7th July.
The Wizard of Oz tour and tickets
The Wizard of Oz is at The King's Theatre Glasgow until Sunday 7 July. Sunday!!
Tickets available from £23.
The Wizard of Oz flies into Aberdeen next week:
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen
Tue 9 - Sat 13 Jul 2024
Then plays Milton Keynes, Cardiff, Wolverhampton and Sunderland before taking up residency at The Gillian Lynne Theatre in London's West End from 15 August - 8 September 2024.
Please note the cast may vary at each venue. The gorgeous The Vivienne is scheduled to play the witch in London alongside Aston Merrygold from JLS as the Tin Man. Check with venues for correct details. More info here
Also playing in Glasgow this week, Kay Mellor's The Syndicate is at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow from Tues 2 - Sat 6 July 2024
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