The London Palladium, Tues 3 May
words: MIA HOLT
★★★★☆
I’ve been to see the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard Of Oz!
Yes indeed I did, although I didn’t travel all the way to the Land of Oz to meet him, oh no, I simply hopped on a bus to London and watched him on stage in the famous London Palladium. The biggest names from around the world have shown their talents here, including Judy Garland herself. However, the name that I have come all this way to see is a fairly new name on the West End Stage, making her debut in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard Of Oz. I’m sure many of you reading this already know who I’m talking about. Of course, it’s Tonypandy’s very own Sophie Evans from the hit BBC show Over The Rainbow.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s enchanting adaption, which also sees Michael Crawford as The Wizard, makes you want to put on your ruby red slippers and join the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion yourself! As the show starts, you hear the iconic “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” being played by the in house orchestra and you are immediately filled with excitement. Suddenly, from the darkness of the side stage, on walks the young woman that everyone has come to see. The crowd roars as Sophie says her opening lines in a perfected American accent. You fall in love with the poor Scarecrow who charmingly forgets he wants a brain; the cowardly and loving Lion and the impressive Tin Man draw you further into the magic of the story. The Scarecrow (Paul Keating) is so delightful and funny that you almost want to take him home with you – he falls around the stage, flopping his arms and legs with a huge grin. The Lion (David Ganly) draws roars of laughter as he turns to the audience and demands them to “Put em up! And the Tin man (Edward Baker-Duly) makes you giggle as he comically tries to talk with his poor rusted up mouth.
The songs, some of which have been added by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, are sung so clearly that it was easy to forget that they’re being sung live. I take my hat off to all the cast, but in particular to Sophie, who somehow manages to walk on a rising and rotating platform whilst skipping, singing and holding on to the excitable Toto. Her voice is note perfect and her composure on stage leads anyone to believe that she was born to do this. Her stage presence and interaction with her friends was highly commendable and truly makes the show. She captures perfectly the naivety of the young Dorothy and the abandonment of the traditional brown wig – which reveals her gorgeous auburn locks – really sets her apart from full time Dorothy, Danielle Hope.
The set design, which includes a revolving yellow brick road, a twister and a spinning house, is remarkable and it’s difficult to comprehend how on earth the production team managed to create such a masterpiece. There were occasional gasps of horror and excitement as the Wicked Witch, played by Hannah Waddingham, appears from nowhere above our heads. Although her green face and crooked nose are enough to make you jump, you can’t help but love the Witch, especially when she sings the added song “Red Shoe Blues” accompanied by the “oo wee ahh” moans of her soldiers.
It will leave your limbs tingling with excitement and it is sure to leave the hairs on the back of your neck standing up on end. Enjoyment for all the family, utterly outstanding and truly breathtaking; congratulations to all the cast and crew.
If you are interested in going to see Sophie and the cast at the London Palladium, click here. You will not be disappointed!
