Guest Post: The Wizard of Oz – Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Event: The Wizard of Oz

Location: Birmingham Rep Theatre

Dates: Until the 13 January 2019

Ticket Prices: From £15

Running Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes (including interval)

Age Guidance: Suitable for those aged 7 or above

The Birmingham Rep’s version of the Wizard of Oz has brought the classic musical into the 21st century.

They say change is good and I would have to agree. Having been given the tickets by my sister in law (Smallhousebigtrips) I wasn’t sure what to expect other than imagining the old MGM classic with Judy Garland on stage.

What I got was a refreshed, colourful, big and bold show.

The ruby slippers have been transformed into ruby boots that, short of the sparkle, wouldn’t look out of place on a farm and there’s only a nod to the famous blue and white gingham dress rather than it featuring throughout the show.

Starting as they mean to go on, some of the cast were playing jolly skiffle music as we entered the auditorium and waited for the show to start. It led to one realisation for me… There aren’t enough kazoos in musical theatre.

As with many shows the supporting cast steal the limelight. We all know that Dorothy is the main event but if I’m honest the supporting cast were my favourite.

Jos Vantyler plays both Miss Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West. As the witch he is fabulous; all red lips, sass and drama. She’s the best type of baddie where you know you should hate her but in reality have a secret yearning to be a bit more like her.

The munchkins were a joyous surprise. Portrayed by puppets they are entertaining, original and enchanting. At the end of “Ding Dong The Witch is Dead” the smile on my face could have lit the way for Dorothy to follow.

I imagine one of the challenges the theatre faced was creating a yellow brick road that portrayed distance. There’s only so far you can walk. What the Rep has done is choreograph the walk so that it’s like a dance across steps and through neon-lit doorways. The stagehands have to move lots of the set in order to make it work. One false move and it would all go wrong but as they were so tight and in sync with each other that was never a worry.

The show is on until 13 January and makes the perfect Christmas treat.

Disclaimer : Photo’s provided by Birmingham Repertory Theatre. We were invited along to the show in return for an honest review. I’m pretty sure you’ve got that from Sally (my sister in law who went along with her partner to review the show for us – hence the Guest Post). I’m looking forward to buying some tickets and heading along to watch the show in the New Year.