Last night I followed the yellow brick road all the way to Oz and I was not disappointed! This adaption by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams is fun, colourful and FULL to the brim with slick dance moves.
The general story is of a girl named Dorothy who wishes to run away and feels a little bit of an outsider with her family and Kansas. We follow Dorothy (Aviva Tulley) and Toto (Abigail Matthews) and their new friends; Scarecrow, Lion and Tin Man as they journey to Emerald City following the yellow brick road. Aviva's voice is truly wonderful and her rendition of Over the Rainbow will no doubt give you goosebumps!
Although the set was minimal, the slick use of videography and lighting more than made up for it. Alongside this, the ensemble cast and their dance numbers filled the stage – a personal favourite was the costuming in the Emerald City numbers. Who doesn’t love a bright green, puff ball dress?!
The Wicked Witch was played by the oh so fabulous The Vivienne (champion of the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK) and boy did she embody the part. She was fierce, classy and wicked all in one! A true Wicked Witch.
A special mention has to go to Toto – who I definitely think stole the show. A gorgeous puppet controlled by Abigail Matthews – so well controlled that I didn’t once look to Abigail but always at Toto.
I was so in awe of how modern this show was but how it still stayed true to the original all those year ago. The entire cast did not miss a move or beat and had the audience constantly grinning from ear to ear. This vibrant, spectacular adaption of The Wizard of Oz is a must see and is on at The Mayflower until 21st January 2024. Do take yourself along the yellow brick road, over that rainbow and head to The Mayflower to see!
