Theatre
REVIEW: The Wizard of Oz at The Haymarket
I'D HAD good feelings about this first Christmas show - and the first in-house production - at the revamped Haymarket since speaking to its experienced, eloquent director Richard Williams.
And hasn't he just pulled it all out of the bag to delight Basingstoke's families this winter!
His treatment of L. Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz is a disarmingly charming night out at the theatre, a marvellously visual spectacle which meshes sophisticated technology with classic storytelling to create a superb end result.
He's cleverly retained the look and iconography of the characters which were established by MGM's 1939 film, moving from the monochrome opening to glorious colour. Right down to her pigtails, blue gingham and white ankle socks, The Haymarket's Dorothy appears just as Judy Garland does on screen, and all of the major characters are similarly recognisable.
On the night I attended, I was delighted that Basingstoke's own Sydney Aldridge, a pupil of Kelly Hopkins Theatre Arts, would be performing the role of Dorothy, a part she shares with Newbury's Georgina Hendry.
The 15-year-old is a wonderfully self-possessed young actress with a beautiful voice, and she didn't falter once, remaining completely composed when the technology had a momentary off-moment or when the dog actor playing Toto - whose entrance garners the biggest "aw" of each evening - plonked his bottom on the stage and refused to budge.
The rest of the cast are equally good, playing to the hilt and mining every possible bit of humour from their roles. Michael Roberts' Lion, with his gurning and fretting, is a particular hit, but everyone, across the board, impresses. Andrew Price has a ball playing three characters, while James Rigby brings across the unique physicality of the Scarecrow and Ian Harris is a tender Tin Man, who may even draw a tear from you towards the play's conclusion.
Jo Castleton cackles to brilliant effect as the Wicked Witch of the West, while Lindsay Lauer's Glinda is a delightfully batty vision in white sparkles.
There's just so much to enjoy in this production: the sumptuous costumes, inventive production design, Mary Macadam's sterling work performing the entire soundtrack from a small platform to the right of the stage and the computer graphics, which have to cope with effects as diverse as a tornado and a disembodied Wizard.
And the "homegrown" element is maintained with the chorus of local children who play the munchkins, monkeys, Oz residents and, best of all, crazy Jitterbugs. Their input is the icing on the cake of this fully realised Christmas cracker.
The Wizard of Oz runs until January 5. Tickets are available from the box office on 01256 844244.
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CommentPosted by: puzzlebabe, Old Basing on 5:03pm Mon 17 Dec 07
It is brilliant
Posted by: simon shaw on 8:32pm Tue 18 Dec 07
The show was so good the first time i saw it, i went to see it again! Both performaces were brillaint but i have to say the first performance (with G Hendry as Dorothy) was clearly superior as Dorothy sang and commanded the audience to a far higher level than the second Dorothy...has G Hendry done anything in the past? Surely a star in the making?[bold]bold[/bold]
The show was so good the first time i saw it, i went to see it again! Both performaces were brillaint but i have to say the first performance (with G Hendry as Dorothy) was clearly superior as Dorothy sang and commanded the audience to a far higher level than the second Dorothy...has G Hendry done anything in the past? Surely a star in the making?
Posted by: sarah knight, hampshire on Sat 22 Dec 07
Have to agree this little girl was amazing had a voice like honey-surley she is professional.
Have to agree this little girl was amazing had a voice like honey-surley she is professional.
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