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The
'Wizard of Oz' has to be one of the most loved and everlasting stories
that has delighted both children and adults for over 100 years.
Most famously, the MGM film musical starring Judy Garland is still
one of the most popular films of all time.
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| The
Tin Man |
Who
can ever forget Dorothy, The Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion not to
mention the Wicked Witch of the West?
The musical score by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg were an instant
hit and numbers like 'Jitterbug' identify its origins, the late
1930s.
The story by L. Frank Baum is still as sharp as the day it was written
and many of its gentle digs at the establishment are still as valid.
Under
the expert direction of Rachel Kavanaugh, the inventive and most
stylistic design of Peter McKintosh the capacity audience were treated
to an evening of pure magic at the Rep.
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| Dorothy
and Toto |
The
principals, Suzanne Toase who as Dorothy is quite enchanting and
gives a heartfelt performance of 'Over the Rainbow' was outstanding.
Michael Cahill as Scarecrow, Robert Hands as Tin Man, Jamie Beamish
as Lion all in fantastic costumes each make the most of their character
parts and play the audience expertly.
Catherine Breeze as Wicked Witch of the West is genuinely frightening
and the clever use of colour adds to the atmosphere.
Fiona Dunn as The Good Witch of the North is very much the Fairy
Godmother of the production.
John Conroy as The Wizard is a kindly old man really and Gerard
Carey as Nikko the Monkey - again a superb costume. They all deserve
great praise for their characterisation.
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| The
Good Witch of the North |
The
whole production worked so well, the dancers, the Munchkins and
Snowflakes who were played by the Ruby Team at this performance
and of course Toto played by 3-year-old Border terrier Leo got just
the right reaction from the audience.
The
orchestra under the direction of Stephen Ridley created a whole
range of wonderful sounds and the musical numbers had the benefit
of fresh arrangements by Steven Edis that brought the classic Arlen
and Harburg score to life once more.
And
finally, this is a show for all the family with a great story, spectacular
sets, high wire flying, wonderful music, fantasy, good and wicked
characters and lots of fun.
The
production continues at the Rep until Saturday 24th January 2004.
Clive Fuller
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