540 posts
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Post by drowseychap on Nov 24, 2022 2:24:32 GMT
I’ve seen a few productions of this over the years from the amazing sue devany as Dorothy way back in the 80s to a much more recent production at the same theatre Bham Rep ….( And some Dodgy ones in between ) xThat production a few years ago was the first time I’d enjoyed the whole show on stage. Great set lighting and effects a constantly moving set or stage . And Lorna laidlaw currently in Corrie playing the wizard was fab
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Post by theatreliker on Nov 25, 2022 8:37:59 GMT
Anyone spot the Olaf snowman in the video design or did I dream it?
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2,416 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Nov 26, 2022 17:03:26 GMT
Well everyone seems to be loving this but it didn't land for me, great performances spoiled by misguided creative choices. Hated the look of the Wicked Witch Of The West, key moments fall flat (particularly the tornado and the melting), staging often feels either clumsy or just plain bizarre, Christina Bianco woefully underused.... 3 stars was all I could give this because of how good the performances are, but everyone seems to be gushing over it so perhaps I missed something!
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1,470 posts
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Post by mkb on Nov 26, 2022 17:19:30 GMT
I held off booking because I feared it could only disappoint compared to the fantastic Birmingham Rep production a few years ago. The feedback so far is not changing my mind.
Factoring in that it's the ALW version that was fairly mediocre when I saw it at the Palladium, and it's a surprising choice for a Xmas show at the Curve. But, if it's bringing families in, and keeping the venue in profit, that can only be a good thing I suppose.
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on Nov 26, 2022 21:13:15 GMT
intrigued to see if the 'down-the-middle' reviews raise some eyebrows ahead of a palladium transfer
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2,416 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Nov 26, 2022 22:38:21 GMT
I saw the 2011 Palladium production twice and enjoyed it, this one feels far inferior to that and doesn't deserve to transfer in my opinion, unless they rework it, rethink some of the visuals and make it feel less cheap. The tornado feels lazily done and the melting is hugely underwhelming. There's also random staging that doesn't make sense - why are there people dressed as furniture in the poppy scene? I get that there's a motel sign in the background, but the characters clearly sat "we're in the middle of a field"?! And why have they gone for purple with the WWOTW outfit when she sings "red always suited me best".... so many things just don't work. But the performances are great.
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315 posts
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Post by westended on Nov 27, 2022 12:20:32 GMT
Set Plans seen towards the end of 'Curve Classroom - The Wizard of Oz Set and Projection Designs' on YouTube clearly have lines showing the size of the Palladium stage and its FOH features on top of the existing set at Curve. Extra red lines also show the Palladium Orchestra Pit.
Another full-proof sign of a transfer to the Palladium Summer 2023
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19,650 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 27, 2022 12:29:55 GMT
Set Plans seen towards the end of 'Curve Classroom - The Wizard of Oz Set and Projection Designs' on YouTube clearly have lines showing the size of the Palladium stage and its FOH features on top of the existing set at Curve. Extra red lines also show the Palladium Orchestra Pit. Another full-proof sign of a transfer to the Palladium Summer 2023 Time stamp 47:30 |
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2,416 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Nov 27, 2022 13:46:50 GMT
Well it'll be a waste of the Palladium, that's all I can say! But good luck to it 😁
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378 posts
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Post by Ade on Nov 27, 2022 17:41:45 GMT
Well it'll be a waste of the Palladium, that's all I can say! But good luck to it 😁 Yep, completely agree - it’s really not up to continuing beyond this run. Though given this year’s screen-heavy BatB, this will probably fit right in at the Palladium. Also echo your view on the tornado and the witch melting. Both very poorly done - so much so that the tornado, aside from a brief view of a twister on screen, may as well not be one. |
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Post by theatreliker on Nov 27, 2022 18:22:15 GMT
Yes I agree on the twister. It was more of a theatrical, metaphorical twister. We're used to seeing people in blackout clothes carrying bits of furniture across the stage to make it look like they're flying. They couldn't really do that here maybe because of the video screen.
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2,416 posts
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Post by robertb213 on Nov 27, 2022 18:39:29 GMT
For me, the melting was the more unforgiveable mis-step. It's so massively underwhelming. If you can't melt a witch properly, pick a different bloody show! 🤣
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374 posts
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Post by theatrenerd on Dec 1, 2022 11:18:45 GMT
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Post by stevej678 on Dec 7, 2022 17:33:07 GMT
Ahead of the Palladium pre-sale tomorrow, does anyone know if this is going to tour either before or after the London run or is it the Curve then Palladium dates and that's it?
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19,650 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 7, 2022 18:13:00 GMT
Set Plans seen towards the end of 'Curve Classroom - The Wizard of Oz Set and Projection Designs' on YouTube clearly have lines showing the size of the Palladium stage and its FOH features on top of the existing set at Curve. Extra red lines also show the Palladium Orchestra Pit. Another full-proof sign of a transfer to the Palladium Summer 2023 I have to say that was a very clever spot of yours westended regarding the diagram with Palladium dimensions. It was onscreen for a matter of seconds. Major round of applause to you! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 |
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Post by theatrenerd on Dec 7, 2022 18:31:30 GMT
Ahead of the Palladium pre-sale tomorrow, does anyone know if this is going to tour either before or after the London run or is it the Curve then Palladium dates and that's it? There was mention somewhere that Michael Harrison had intended this to tour, but not sure if that was cancelled due to COVID. |
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Post by JJShaw on Dec 8, 2022 23:16:38 GMT
Thoroughly enjoyed this today, a very fun production and a great alternative christmas show choice! I have to applaud the costume and set design, they are really fun and different, and some of the set pieces are so incredibly detailed (on some canisters in the make over chars they said OZ2 like CO2). Reminded me of how fun the music from the movie is, its bright, fun, and very positive. I would have loved some more peaks and valleys from Dorothy, it all sort of stayed a little too perky the whole time? But she had a great warmth to her and I wanted to like her a lot, Glinda was lovely albeit underused with no arc, but her costume and moped are gorgeous, lion scarecrow and tinman all worked as a lovely trio, and toto was so fun and the puppeteer did such a wonderful job and he himself didnt make himself known so kudos to that. Wizaerd was lovely too. The amount of big set pieces that would fly in and out was amazing, nice to see your money on stage for once, and im not normally a fan of led screens and projections but because they could be layered with the set pieces it gave it such depth, and lots of the direction felt very cinematic. it flowed nicely, some silhouette work, it was really nice. Loved how the did the yellow brick road and the crow puppets. I wish the show would breathe a little, it's not a long show and zips by so quickly that everything just sort of 'happens' i never felt settled. this was mostly evident with the wicked witch who seemed a little uncomfortable, unsure, and didnt really take full ownership of the role. her scenes felt rushed the most, i never felt any menace. there were loads of school groups in and not one child shrieked in fear. The ending is a little muddled re: {Spoiler - click to view}
what constitutes home? and Dorothy didnt really apologise to her aunt and uncle or say she loved them, just that she was happy with herself? Perhaps once in the palladium they will let up a bit, i hope the set doesnt get drowned out, but i still had a lovely time! If youre close by go check it out, or wait until it comes to london. the orchestrations in particular are so fun, funky and fabulous, and a fun modern take on the visuals make it a fresh evening out! |
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342 posts
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Post by Figaro on Jan 13, 2023 11:36:31 GMT
Is this production still due to tour from September?
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Post by stagebyte on Jan 13, 2023 14:12:11 GMT
For me, the melting was the more unforgiveable mis-step. It's so massively underwhelming. If you can't melt a witch properly, pick a different bloody show! 🤣 Intrigued, how did they melt her? And was it just a projection of the twister? |
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Post by robertb213 on Jan 13, 2023 15:42:47 GMT
For me, the melting was the more unforgiveable mis-step. It's so massively underwhelming. If you can't melt a witch properly, pick a different bloody show! 🤣 Intrigued, how did they melt her? And was it just a projection of the twister? I'm assuming I don't need spoilers now it's closed - Dorothy aims a sort of fire extinguisher at her that emits steam, the witch shrieks, the platform she's on starts to revolve, she begins to kneel down, and once she's out of sight she disappears out the back. Hugely underwhelming, it's how I'd expect an Am Dram production to do it. |
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Post by WireHangers on Jan 13, 2023 16:01:35 GMT
Intrigued, how did they melt her? And was it just a projection of the twister? I'm assuming I don't need spoilers now it's closed - Dorothy aims a sort of fire extinguisher at her that emits steam, the witch shrieks, the platform she's on starts to resolve, she begins to kneel down, and once she's out of sight she disappears out the back. Hugely underwhelming, it's how I'd expect an Am Dram production to do it. I've been in an Am Dram production of WOZ and we managed to effectively melt the witch. It's not the most difficult stage trick to achieve, I actually think it's harder to get it wrong than it is to get right. |
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Post by james1969 on Jan 13, 2023 21:53:19 GMT
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Post by Figaro on Jan 13, 2023 23:16:35 GMT
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Post by theatrenerd on Feb 20, 2023 21:03:40 GMT
Tour dates announced
Liverpool Empire
13 December 2023 – 7 January 2024
Mayflower Theatre Southampton
16 – 21 January 2024
Lyceum Theatre Sheffield
30 January – 3 February 2024
Playhouse Theatre Edinburgh
13 – 17 February 2024
Cliffs Pavillion Southend
20 – 25 February 2024
Theatre Royal Norwich
27 February – 3 March 2024
Venue Cymru, Llandudno
5 – 10 March 2024
Alhambra Theatre Bradford
19 – 23 March 2024
Theatre Royal Plymouth
26 – 30 March 2024
Bristol Hippodrome
2 – 7 April 2024
Theatre Royal Nottingham
9 – 13 April 2024
Theatre Royal Nottingham
16 – 21 April 2024
Further dates to be announced.
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Post by danb on Feb 20, 2023 22:01:40 GMT
It looks like a lift disguised by plenty of dry ice & a false plate on the bottom of the chair. |
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