The Wizard of Oz Reviews

Jackie from London, England

VERY DISAPPOINTED

I love this show and my am dram group have performed it several times I was really looking forward to seeing it on a West End stage with big names cast. Expected it to be updated but this was bizarre- so far from the original, songs I’d never heard of, poorly sung and far too sci fi for me! View wasn’t good either - row R to the side Far better shows out there! Very disappointed

Sharona from Surrey

DISAPPOINTED

This production of a well loved classic was completely disappointing. Cheap set, costumes and totally distorted from the classic. The acting was weak not portraying the original characters, lacked luster. Dorothy had a good voice but not right for this role, far to old. If your expecting it to be like your memories of the film, then don't waste your money. And don't sit in the Grand Circle very poor view, thank goodness I didn't pay for the stalls!

Kay from Essex

DISAPPOINTING

Having read these reviews, I wish I had read them first, rather than after the show. I fully agree it was amateurish, no feel good, no joy, no wonderful, overwhelming, uplifting , joyful parts. I was expecting a wonderful yellow brick road, but yellow arrows, pulled by people dressed in yellow seemed rather dull. Even the veneration backdrop wasn’t yellow brick! I feel the man who controlled the dog, by moving around the stage on all fours must have ended up with a bad back. I’m sure in this technological age, a better interpretation of Toto would have been more pleasant to watch. Dorothy showed little affection for Toto anyway. I would not recommend.

Susanne from Oxford,

LACKING THEATRICAL PROWESS

Theatre is a passion of mine-entering the delight of a theatre, hearing the instruments warm up, being guided by a voice seemingly from the heavens guiding us to take your seat...music leads to a curtain rise and a set that 'along with the music' sets the scene...we are drawn in as the actors take us on a journey, spell bound are we as they tell a story - costumes as delight, changing hand built scenes a delight, costumes thrill, song audible. Not in this production-it was wholly lacking in theatrical prowess. The smoke coming from the stage smelt like awful and affected my throat and the audio so loud it was impossible to hear the words of the songs and made the sound a jumbled mess. Those with hearing aids would struggle. I felt for the poor person pupetting the dog - bent over for the whole show - not good for the persons back. I did not enjoy the cross between pantomime and movie style presentation. Sadly, for me, this ruined what is a classic for real theatre. Not impressed.

Gemma from Edinburgh,

MEH

Family night that resulted in us leaving at half time. Pretty disappointed. The original characters and stories were twisted to fit some modern take, that was more like a high school musical. Glinda on a Barbie pink moped, the powerful Oz, a robot with two binoculars. Poppies, four dancers in red wearing lampshades. Just random and ruined it for us. The emerald city was a projected NYC with ozmcdonald signs. The magic was gone and the old fashioned tale, warped into something unrecognisable. The only person carrying the show was The Vivienne as the Witch of the West.

Ally from Edinburgh, Scotland

CRUISE SHIP LIKE PRODUCTION

Unfortunately the show hasn’t lived up to the hype. The show opens with a bang and is very captivating however the following scenes are slow, boring and difficult to follow. Throughout the show the set changes are minimal and such makes it difficult to follow where each partition is set. Various amounts of pyro and dramatic lighting effects do add to the drama and atmospheric effect of the show however overall, the production level is set to the standard of a cruise ship. The fake prosc side drapes limit audience view and make the show feels very boxed in, almost like watching it on a screen rather than being immersed in the magic. Sound was terrible to begin with. Harsh 4-8K throughout the Pa however this was dialed back as the show went on. Elephaba’s mic was hissing and feeding back all over the shop throughout the performance. Very disappointed and hoped to see a much better production level from a professional touring company.

Gwen Alexander from Edinburgh,

VERY DISAPPOINTINGLY

What an absolute let down. Very basic staging. The Cowardly Lion looked like he didn’t want to be there. Very lack lustre performance. Toto was the best part. Almost felt like not staying for second half. Just felt like a very cheap amateur production and a poor one at that. Definitely didn’t take me over the rainbow

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