The choice for many theatres for this time of year is between pantomime and something as an alternative. The Rep has taken the latter option with a musical suitable for all the family, based on Lyman Frank Baum’s classic The Wizard of Oz. In some respects, this seems like a fairly safe choice. It is a proven time-served favourite, with familiar story and well-known tunes. There are some risks however, in re-imagining iconic cinema in theatre. One tends to come to these shows with pre-conceived ideas and, subsequently, comparisons are very difficult to avoid. I am pleased to say that this production has not tried to negotiate these risks, choosing to defy them. Rather than a straight re-hash of the film on the stage, The Rep’s take on the story has centred on maximising the performance opportunities that a stage production can offer. This has then been matched with plenty of first-rate ideas in presentation and some excellent individual performances.

On the downside, I had some misgivings about the staging. The set seemed functional and designed with the budget as the primary factor in mind. The ugly corrugated tin walls were not particularly evocative of the farmsteads of Kansas, and the central structure of the set was a simple cage-like metal frame, upon which interiors and exteriors were hung. This minimalist presentation let down some otherwise clever use of the stage space. Indeed, that space was generally very well exploited with plenty of entrances and exits as descents and ascensions. A revolving circular stage floor track facilitated movement and came into its own with some illuminated stairs to create a convincing yellow brick road. By the end of the show I came to appreciate the functional options and ingenuity of the set design. Alas, I also left feeling as if I had never been mentally transported to either Kansas or The Emerald City.

More positively, I was thoroughly impressed by the innovative costume designs and puppetry. The production credits in the programme list a whole host of contributors who should all be congratulated for the many moments of spectacle they created.

The visual impact was matched at times by some great vocals and some sound physical acting. The two vocal stars of the show, for me, were Shanay Holmes as Aunt Em (doubling as Glinda), and Kelly Agbowu as Zeke (doubling as Lion). Both of these ladies could belt out the fortissimos while maintaining emotion and tone, and they gave the show a sense of quality. The physical acting and comic delivery of Dillon Scott-Lewis and Ed Wade, Tin Man and Scarecrow respectively, were also on the money and particularly worthy of note. Sadly, I think the decision to have The Wicked Witch of the West played by a male actor in drag, replete with evil baddy laugh, was a mistake. I cannot fathom why an alternative to a pantomime would duplicate such an obviously typical pantomime baddy. A case, in my opinion, of trying to please everyone all the time and failing.

Despite this one genre throwback, this was more musical show than anything else. The fourth wall was left mostly intact, audience participation was not overtly sought, and the story was brought to life in a new presentation. As such, I can recommend The Rep’s Wizard of OZ as an enjoyable and credible alternative to pantomime this season, good entertainment and suitable for all the family.

★★★☆☆   Robert Gainer   30^th November 2018