This isn’t a sponsored post.
BrumHour saw The Wizard of Oz at the invite of BOA Group.
For Brum Radio’s Interval Theatre, Lorna Laidlaw talked about directing this production of The Wizard of Oz at The Old Rep.
By Dave Massey x.com/brumhour bsky.app/profile/brumhour.com
Review: The Wizard of Oz at The Old Rep
⭐⭐⭐⭐A family treat
Directed by Lorna Laidlaw, Written by Tom Whalley
Dorothy (Jaiden Tsang) finds herself thrown into a mysterious world after a storm hits her house. Glinda, a good witch (Denise Pitter), looks rather like her Auntie Em, but she doesn’t notice at first. The Wicked Witch played by Avital Kagen is on her tail, as Dorothy explores the land she is in on her way to see Oz (Matthew Christmas).
This is very much a family story, which features pantomime elements such as audience interactions and even a sing-along. It is more on the gentle side, and there are a few very very adult jokes thrown in for good measure.
The sets are fun with a repurposed style of design. The large panels become the woods, trees and even the walls of Oz.
Jaiden Tsang is excellent with a fun personality and much more of a go-getter than other Dorothys. Her Lion (Jordon Laidley) Tinman (Oraine Johnson) and Scarecrow (Julie Baker) shine throughout their stage time. Jordon Laidley scene-stealing throughout as the lion. The characters mainly feel like children’s presenters, they are so upbeat and cheerful, with Avital Kagen providing an excellent contrast to them as the witch.
I really liked the style and tone of the performance, and the details in the script feel like it is written just for this theatre. There are some very local jokes. Is Oz now just outside of Birmingham? Even the Munchkins, have become Munchkin Blinders, in their waistcoats and flat caps.
For a gentle first Christmas show, you can’t really go wrong here and there are lots of songs to enjoy including Ease on Down the Road from The Wiz and Rainbow Connection from the Muppet Movie. The show is missing a panto dame and a principal boy to lean fully into its roots and it does want to flesh out the story quite a lot. These aren’t criticisms though, more observations.
The Wizard of Oz is at The Old Rep on Station Street in Central Birmingham until 31st December. Book tickets via Cresent Theatre on The Old Rep website here: oldrep.co.uk.
