The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz Windmill Theatre and STC at the Sydney Theatre, October 22-November 1, 2009; images hre by Tony lewis
CHILDREN under eight were in abundance for the Sydney opening of this delightful Oz-flavoured revisit to the fabled Wizard. This despite the careful warning that little dears under that age might find it a bit scary or too grown up, or something. My special guest for the evening, six-year-old Felicity Lola, declared she was not a bit scared by the Wicked Witch but would hold my hand anyway if I was having difficulty coping. As it turned out, we each took turns to leap out of our skins at various points and she also had a bit of a cuddle with her mum, but nevertheless declared The Wizard of Oz to be her “best show ever”. And this is a gal who knows, as she first attended a live performance (at the Opera House) when she was not quite two years old.
Adelaide’s Windmill company has produced an imaginative, multi-techno, high-end version of the all time MGM favourite – now celebrating its 70th birthday. The production is as close to a classic panto as we ever see in Australia, with a cross-dressed Witch (Geoff Ravell) who, of course, doubles as Miss Gulch and who executes the most comical three-point turn on an electric gimp-mobile you’re ever likely to see outside a National Party conference. While Ursula Yovich makes a divine Dorothy – sassy, cute, great singing and girlish enough to make it easy for the real little girls in the audience to identify with her trials and tribulations and sadnesses.
In contrast, Dorothy’s little dog Toto is portrayed as a flea-ridden, scratching beanpole of a hound (Hamish Fletcher) and he’s a doleful canine treat. He and Dorothy live at the Kansas Caravan Park with her Aunty Em (Jude Henshall), who is a bit of a mole, albeit with a heart of gold somewhere within the sumptuous cleavage she shares with a variety of “uncles”.
The uncles transform into the Cowardly Lion (Ezra Juanta), Tin Man (Patrick Graham) and Scarecrow (Luke Clayson once Dorothy and Toto twirl away to Oz (via video and lighting effects) and they are reconfigured as tongue-in-cheek 21st century characters while retaining all the story and thrills of the original.
Director Rosemary Myers, designer Jonathon Oxlade, video designer Chris More, lighting designer Geoff Cobham and choreographer Ingrid Voorendt have conspired with great wit and success to bring to life “home” and Oz. The creepy forest, the Yellow Brick Road and the inhabitants are economically and cleverly evoked in ways that make for a visually spectacular yet simple show. Musical director Jethro Woodward also redesigns the much-loved Oz songs – Somewhere Over the Rainbow and We’re Off to See the Wizard – and adds elements of his own via a band of Hammond organ (Paul White) and other members of the cast joining in from time to time, in particular, Alirio Zavarce who plays viola when not leaping in and out of costume to be the Wizard, a park manager, a bouncer, Munchkin, DJ, beautician and monkey. Altogether it’s a high class show for kids of all ages, although six is probably the lower limit as it’s close to two hours with an interval.
Special guest Felicity Lola enjoyed it immensely and thought Dorothy was really brave and the Wicked Witch disappeared really well when she melted. At the end she said she was tired and it was later than her usual bedtime and that was good. We also had a box of Maltesers during the show and she recommends these, as does her mother whose mother used to buy them for her when they went to shows too. One box will get you through Wizard of Oz if you share them nicely. We were all quite hungry by the end though, as it was nine o’clock. We drove home under the Bridge, which is really big and we saw Luna Park and the carousel all lit up; and the Opera House. Felicity Lola said it was amazing to think that people were there at this time of night. A very good evening was had by all, we loved it.
