Happy August!
I hope everyone is well and enjoying the start of August, and the flickering hints of Summer we have been getting. I can however state that my Tik Tok is full of all the Autumnal/Fall content and you can’t help but be excited by it.
On Saturday I did something I haven’t done in what feels like forever, I took full advantage of the TodayTix £25 Rush tickets and went into London on my own to go and see Wizard of Oz.
Now if you know me well you will know I already have a slight obsession with the Wizard of Oz because of Wicked. However, this meant I was also slightly on the fence about whether it would feel as magical. It however triggered me to write a review, which again I haven’t done in what feels like forever.
Synopsis:
L. Frank Baum’s classic novel comes to life in The Wizard of Oz. This faithful adaptation by the Royal Shakespeare Company features all the most beloved songs and moments from the 1939 classic film, brought to life onstage. Young Dorothy Gale is swept away by a tornado from her Kansas farm to the magical land of Oz. There, she encounters a host of whimsical characters: good witches, bad witches, animals that talk, scarecrows that walk, and things magical to behold. To find her way home, she must journey along the Yellow Brick Road to see the mysterious and all-powerful Wizard in Emerald City. Along the way, she makes new friends, but must also brave many dangers, including the Wicked Witch of the West, who will stop at nothing to get her hands on Dorothy’s magical ruby slippers. To make it home safely, Dorothy must learn an important lesson: there’s no place like home.
My Thoughts:
Okay, well lets start this by disclaiming that I was plesantly suprised.
I do however have to mention the conversation I heard on the way in to the theatre about how they thought Wizard of Oz had no magic in it. I truly hope you felt the magic of this show deeply because if not you are missing out.
Georgina Onuorah firstly I commend you, you play Dorothy in a way that has everyone in complete and utter awe of you. The amount I sobbed at what can only be described as the most effortlessly beautiful of Somewhere Over The Rainbow, isn’t something I was expecting in.But you had me hooked from the moment you stepped on stage.
Jason Manford well its safe to say seeing you do the musical bits on TV does not do your talent enough justice. I went into the show unsure how I would feel about you playing the cowardly lion but oh how wrong I was. If there is anyone who belongs on stage it is very much yourself. From the charming and yet hilarous way you played your character to your full stage presence you were nothing short of an absolute joy to watch.
I was also lucky enough to meet him at the stage door and it was one of my favourite stage door interactions. For multiple reasons but the main one being that you took photos and spoke with the children first and it was a heart warming thing to witness. As someone who didn’t get into the joy of the theatre until around 15/16 I can only imagine how incredible that was for them.
Also thank you for taking a photo with me and I apologise for taking half your face off in this photo. I am too short.
Ashley Banjo as the Tin Man, is thoroughly charming and had the audience in awe with his undeniable talent as he is first introduced to us as the Tin man, although some areas felt a little flat it is impossible to ignore the passion shown on stage.
Louis Gaunt as the Scarecrow had my heart from the beginning, not only does the character come across as loveable but his subtly reactions to things made him the perfect Scarecrow. What a perfomance!
My intense love for Wicked had me all sorts of concerned about how the Wicked witch was going to be played. (I also may have throughout parts been routing for the wrong team). I however was pleasantly surprised by the way the wicked witch was played.
Christina Bianco was nothing short off wonderful as Glinda. Whilst she choses to not travel by bubble (for those who love wicked it was a surreal experience), instead opting to travel by vespa (A PINK VESPA) and her appearences were short and sweet. They did not take away from the undeniable talent and grace she had on stage. Sadly I just happened to miss her at the stage door but her interactions with others had my heart melting.
Gary Wilmot as the Wizard of Oz… It is not the first time we have seen Gary as the wizard but everytime it is an utter pleasure to watch. Although the Wizards time on stage was fleeting his presence was hard to miss and ignore. This followed him to those lucky enough to interact with him at the stage door (myself included.) Warm and fuzzy was the overall feeling to all the interactions.
Ben Thompson who takes on the challenging character of Toto is nothing short of a magician, making Toto feel so real and lifelike. The magic of theatre truly coming to life.
It is safe to say I fell in love with this story all over again, and once again fell head over heels for the magic that is the theatre. The London Palladium itself is just the most stunning location.
Star Rating:
Have you been to see the Wizard of Oz?
Love Always,
Gee xoxo