The 1900’s children’s novel ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ was declared by the library of Congress as ‘America’s greatest and best-loved homegrown fairy tale’. The classic 1939 MGM film ‘The Wizard of Oz’ was voted one of the best 10 American films of all time, in 1977, 38 years after its release.
The tale has been widely translated in over 40 languages and adapted for other cultures. The themes of the story are so universal – the constant battle between good and evil: “Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?” The yearning for a better life beyond the rainbow 🌈 Is the grass greener? Actually, no, we discover (or are reminded) “There’s no place like home”
It is hardly surprising the tale has over the years dominated television, screen and stage. One notable and popular retelling is Gregory Maguire’s ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ book, or more simply in the smash hit musical adaptation ‘Wicked’. In 2018 for my birthday, me and my mum (before she got too poorly) went to see Wicked at the Liverpool Empire theatre. Here the ‘Wicked Witch’ is portrayed in a totally different light, and not as the heinous villian audiences have been previously accustomed to.
Disney’s ‘Return to Oz’ 1985, a sequel, adapted from the other Oz series of books is a franchise I am familiar with, though this version was quite the flop at the box office unfortunately and never got near anywhere as successful as the 1939 favourite
It is undeniable that elements of the tale; Ruby slippers, emerald city, munchkins, the yellow brick road etc are so iconic and embedded in modern culture. Musicians for instance take massive inspiration, such as Elton John’s ‘Goodbye yellow brick road’.
The protagonist heroine ‘Dorothy’ was intriguingly based on a daughter L Frank Baum desperately longed to have (he fathered 4 boys). The excitement she would have felt reading of such fantasy and wonder. But he was also intrigued by The Brothers Grimm fairy tales. The ‘Scarecrow’ fascinatingly had a real original! Standing in Baum’s childhood’s home’s field for a multitude of years.
There’s the background introduction 😜 now how about the Sheffield Lyceum production…
The ‘Vivienne’ was undoubtedly the star of the show. The winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, the first champion, she has evolved into a massive global fabulous diva, both internationally and in the UK. The first drag queen impressively also to compete in a reality TV series, ‘Dancing on Ice’. Her performance as the ‘Wicked Witch’ was teasing and tantalising, excellently executed, and domineering. Each word a dagger, each move a danger. Her witches cackle a high pitched cruel torment and threat: “I’ll get you my pretty, and your little dog too!”
Aviva Tulley, only a very young actress it must be mentioned, played ‘Dorothy’ superbly, very believable. Her voice singing ‘Over the Rainbow’ was absolutely breathtaking. ‘Toto’ was actually a puppet controlled by a puppeteer! Benjamin Yates as the ‘Scarecrow’ was charismatic, cheeky and cheerful (even if brainless), Marley Fenton as ‘Tin Man’ certainly not rusty – with his funky robot street dancing skills, and Nic Greenshields ‘Cowardly Lion’ admirable and adorable, even when afraid. Alex Bourne as ‘Professor Marvel/ the Wizard’ was simply awe-inspiring and Emily Bull as ‘Glinda/ Aunt Em’ mesmerising and majestic
The entire production was perfect and flawless. My, my best friend Robyn, and friends Sheridan and Tyler had a WONDERFUL time 😍
The show was such a spectacle, the scenery superb. Smoke special effects, lighting, prop design – the yellow brick road continually fragmented and then wheeled back together, the cast dancing with choreography from one section to the next. Impressive video on a huge retractable screen to compliment the storytelling. ‘Glinda’ cruising by on a girlie pink scooter. The melting of the ‘Wicked Witch’, disappearing as marvellously as any magician. The costumes, especially of the munchkins and the winkies- remarkable! Such a joyous day out! 😁😁
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my theatre blog, it is very much appreciated! 😀 The next blog post will be progression photos of my ‘Leonardo the Lion’ diamond art 💎 🎨
Much love, Lauren xx
Further information:
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0032138/
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