THEATRE SPOTLIGHT: THE WIZARD OF OZ AT CURVE, LEICESTER
Last Updated on 20th November 2023 by Bejal
It’s time to kick off the festive season with Curve’s Christmas musical, The Wizard of Oz. Expect goose-bump causing vocals, a stage lit up by pyrotechnics and flash lighting, atmospheric smoke haze, topped by incredible acting and emotions with a side of subtle wit.
Production Photography Courtesy: Marc Brenner (unless otherwise stated)
Disclosure: Be-lavie received a press invite to experience ‘The Wizard of Oz’. All options, and views are our own along with non-production photography and therefore remain a copyright of be-lavie. For further information, refer to our disclosure policy.
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The Wizard of Oz: The Musical
This Made at Curve production directed by Curve’s Artistic Director, Nikolai Foster combines extra music and songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, together with the original songs from the 1939 MGM movie starring Judy Garland as Dorothy.
A movie classic many remember from their childhoods, the made at Curve production of Wizard of Oz explores Dorothy and Toto’s adventure from Kansas along the Yellow Brick Road with futuristic updates in this reimagined format.
Click those red slippers together three times and wait to be transported to the colourful and wonderful land of Oz, whilst you tap away to the shows iconic original songs by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, such as ‘Over the Rainbow’, ‘Follow the Yellow Brick Road’ and ‘We’re Off to see the Wizard’.
2022 marks the 120th anniversary of ‘Dorothy’ since the original movie, and it feels like a dedicated updated tribute to the character at the Curve.
On her adventure along the Yellow Brick Road Dorothy meets Scarecrow, Tin man and Lion who help her on her way, but the villainous and frightfully glamorous Wicked Witch has other plans for Dorothy and Toto.
Through the menacing Dark Forest to the bright neon lights of the retro-futuristic Emerald City, Dorothy and her friends search for the powerful and mysterious Wizard of Oz, the only person who can grant their hearts’ desires, and maybe even a way home.
The Wizard of Oz is a spectacular, Christmas at Curve adventure for the whole family to enjoy.
Notable Performances
Georgina Onuorah (Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella, Gillian Theatre) Dick Whittington, National Theatre, Millenials, The Other Palace) plays leading lady, Dorothy and what a performance. Georgina delivers the character with charisma, charm, adventure and just the precise amount of emotion that captures the audience and draws us into Dorothy’s journey. Her solo vocals are breathtaking and consistently followed by a crescendo of applause.
Dorothy’s adorable furry companion is brought to life on stage with absolute precision in puppetry by Ben Thompson (101 Dalmatians Regents Park Open Air)
Dorothy’s journey down the Yellow Brick Road, leads her to meeting three of her dearest friends Scarecrow played by Leicestershire’s Johnny Fines Curve’s My Beautiful Laundrette and An Officer and a Gentleman),
Tin Man played by Paul French (Curve’s Grease, Dominion Theatre) and Giovanni Spanó (Bat Out Of Hell London Coliseum) as Lion, in the wonderfully jovial character
The bond between Dorothy and her friends is brought to the stage wonderfully believable by each of them as individual characters but as an ensemble they create a beautiful connection on stage that has the audience in laughter and at the edge of their seats in other moments. Their loyalty to each other is testament to their short but tight friendship.
Whilst Dorothy and her new friends tirelessly travel through the dark forest entering the bright Emerald City searching for the Wizard of Oz to grant them their individual wishes, they are stopped in their tracks by the captivating but evil Witch of the West. During the performance on 24 November 2022 (press night) was acted by Ellie Mitchell (Mrs Doubtfire, Manchester Opera House, We Will Rock You, UK Tour, Wicked , Victoria Apollo, Chicago, UK Tour) who gave a fantastic performance covering for Charlotte Jaconelli.
Highlights
The audience can look forward to many special moments in the performance. The most iconic song sung by Dorothy, ‘Over the Rainbow’ is most definitely a goose-bump moment. Georgina’s vocals carried beautifully with the acoustics of the theatre and a special moment of the show as eyes were fixated on the character around the theatre.
Updated touches in the stage performance include pink Lamberettas as ridden by Glinda played by Christina Bianco (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice UK Tour, Funny Girl Theatre Marigny Paris, Forbidden Broadway, Vaudeville).
Futuristic updates include the glowing colourful neon lights of the Emerald city and the replacement of the hot air balloon with a space ship for the departure of the Wizard.
Staging
The production members involved in the choreography, musical direction, set design, costumes, lighting, sound and puppetry deserve a huge slice of credit in bringing the marvellous world of Oz alive on the Curve stage. So many details in each of the sets, the costume changes, atmospheric lighting to match the performance as well as the sudden strobes of light that created excitement, added to the ambiance of the production.
The Wizard of Oz: Closing Words
The Wizard of Oz at the Curve this festive season, is one for the whole family to enjoy. A story of friendship, loyalty and determination illustrates the cheer of the season perfectly.
The Wizard of Oz is a show re-imagined to add modern and futuristic twists on the classic 1939 film. A chance for the Curve to add it’s stamp on this time-honoured tale.
Their is absolutely no doubt that the production showcases the talent of the performers, magnificent vocals, and incredible work by the whole team in delivering a feel-good show.
The Wizard of Oz musical is playing at the Curve Theatre until 8 January 2023. See booking details below for remaining tickets.
The Details
- Address: The Curve. Alexandra House, 60 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1SB
- Box Office: 0116 242 3595
- Box Office Email: tickets@curvetheatre.co.uk
- Website: Curve Theatre.
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