The can be few other musicals to have achieved the same popularity and fame as this one. Frank L. Baum's Victorian (just!) novel, was made into a stage musical only two years' later, and hit the big time when Judy Garland starred in the film version of 1939. Everyone, young and old, knows the story, and still, over a century later, it continues to delight. There have been many variations over the years, with adaptations coming in all shapes and sizes, helping it to stay 'fresh', and yet, the original musical / film version is so rarely performed these days that watching The Blackpool And Fylde Light Opera Company's faithful reproduction this evening took me somewhat by surprise.
Perhaps because I have seen so many different versions of this show over the years, I actually found that watching the original this evening somewhat tame and rather trite. I had forgotten for example, the very long expositional Kansas sequence in which the build-up to the storm and the solidifying of her family and neighbours being more easily recognisable as the characters from her dream.
This was however a colourful and enjoyable show. Costuming was appropriate and looked good [despite an unfortunate malfunction with a bicycle early on in the show!], with a set which worked well, and the changes were effected with ease. My only thought here being that I didn't understand why when we were in The Emerald City, we were shown a cloud / sky backdrop? Creative lighting, and generally good sound levels throughout, although sadly this evening there were a few microphone problems creating feedback and unwanted boom. I enjoyed all the flying sequences - these were nicely done.
The characterisations were generally very good all round, and, despite being upstaged by a real dog, Ernie, as Toto on several occasions {...never work with children and animals??} the storyline and characterisations were solid throughout and the quality of both acting and singing very good.
Amy Dee Campbell headed this strong cast as a most likeable Dorothy, and befriends a Scarecrow (Jack Prince), Tin Man (George Plant), and cowardly Lion (Richie Reed), along her journey to see the Wizard (Mike Donnellon).
Directed by Sophie Coulon, there was god use of the stage (as well as auditorium and royal boxes!), and she kept the show at a good pace throughout. Danielle Woodhouse's choreography was fitting and age-appropriate. And despite us never actually seeing a yellow brick road the whole show, we enjoyed being taken along it on this journey of self-discovery and meeting the strange and sometimes scary people and creatures who inhabited Oz.
Reviewer - Chris Benchley
on - 31.5.23
on - 31.5.23
No comments:
Post a Comment