The Wizard of Oz – Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Picture: Graeme Braidwood

The Wizard of Oz continues at Birmingham Repertory Theatre until 13 January 2019.

Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩

Any production of The Wizard of Oz is always going to stand in the shadow of the classic MGM film. Under the direction of Liam Steel, this new staging at the Birmingham Rep, while retaining the elements of the original 1930s aesthetic (and the iconic songs!), successfully brings the story alive with a number of welcome contemporary twists.

Decked out in dungarees and red boots (although they are still referred to as slippers), Chisara Agor makes for a tomboyish Dorothy. Agor clearly shows Dorothy’s fear of being catapulted from Kansas to Oz, but she also manages to make Dorothy a bit gutsier. She feels like a genuine ‘hero’, assertively challenging anyone who stands in her way of returning home.

Successfully flanking her for most of the show are Dillon Scott-Lewis’ Tinman (whose demeanour and comic timing reminded me of the late Robin Williams), Ed Wade’s wonderfully unsure-footed Scarecrow and Kelly Agbowu’s loveable Lion.

Also impressive is Jos Vantyler’s Wicked Witch of the West, a terrifying vision in black PVC knee-length boots, red hair and make-up drawing attention to some seriously sinister cheekbones. Michelle Visage of Ru Paul’s Drag Race would certainly approve. That said, Vantyler never lets the character become a caricature or some sort of pantomime villain.

Special mention must also go to Ben Thompson who operates a puppet version of Toto.  You soon forget this is a puppet at all as Thompson brings every nuance of how a dog can behave to life. In fact, puppets feature heavily in the production, designed (along with costumes) by Samuel Wyer. All are top notch.

The Munchkins are fabulously quirky, and the Haunted Forest features three massive ghosts, which are truly scary. I particularly enjoyed the costumes (again with a nod to Drag Race) worn by the Emerald City residents, shown off during the song ‘The Merry Old Land of Oz’ which is given a bold, ‘urban’ re-interpretation.

Angela Davies’ set design is ingenious. The storm that whisks Dorothy from one world to another is sensationally realised, as bits of the house are ‘flown’ away by members of the ensemble.

And the yellow brick road is conveyed in a number of clever ways, including small moveable staircases, and, at another point, yellow chairs placed on the revolve. As with all great set design, it also allows the audience to use their imagination, and fill in the gaps.

All of the songs that we know and love are here (including, of course, ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’), some occasionally given a modern, soulful slant. This contributes to making us see the show afresh, and I’m sure will appeal to everyone, but especially younger members of the audience.

The diverse and gender-balanced cast work their socks off throughout the show, and it pays off: this is a Wizard of Oz for the 21st century.

Jack Rolfe