Follow the Yellow Brick Road: The Wizard of Oz
Somewhere over the rainbow, the yellow brick road takes us to the London Palladium for a modern interpretation of The Wizard of Oz.
As part of Kids Week, we snagged half-off tickets in the Stalls to see The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium. Having seen Wicked last year with our good friends, I couldn’t pass on tickets to see Dorothy and Toto’s adventure ‘somewhere over the rainbow’ in the land of Oz.
Adieu to Summer 2023
With the summer coming to a close, we planned a Londoner’s day out starting with a stop at Ole & Steen for cinnamon rolls and coffee. Then it was on to Hamley’s on Regents Street, exploring all seven floors of toy heaven. Two hours later, we managed to leave Hamley’s without spending a single penny. Phew! We had a lovely sushi lunch at Stick-n-Sushi in Soho where my adventurous 5 yo devoured a plate of sashimi. Then ‘we are off to see the wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz.’
We’re Off to See the Wizard
This musical is a progressive and modern adaptation on the classic story filled with high-octane choreography and colourful techno-visual effects. The opening tornado scene over Kansas uses video effects for a full immersive experience to mimic the chaos that ensues before Dorothy and Toto lands in Oz. You’ll be forgiven if you thought you were sitting at the BFI Imax rather than the grand London Palladium.
No longer in Kansas, Dorothy meets Glinda, the good witch, a petite Barbie look-alike riding her hot pink moped. Desperate to go home, Glinda tells Dorothy to ‘follow the yellow brick road’ to the Emerald City to find the Wizard of Oz. One by one, Dorothy meets Scarecrow who does not have a brain; Tin Man who does not have a heart, but does do a pretty good rap; and Lion who lacks courage, but is hilarious. The crew arrive in the metropolis of Emerald City filled with commercial enterprises such as Ozbucks, Ozdonalds, and Ozso Gas. Dorothy and friends encounter the Wicked Witch of the West where Dorothy later sprays her with water, “I’m melting, melting!” screams the Wicked Witch of the West as she dissipates into thin air.
And so, “Ding dong, the witch is dead.”
And Dorothy and Toto makes it home to Kansas because there is no place like home.
There is No Place like Home
Beautiful vocals by the lead characters singing classic hits from the beloved 1939 film and original music and lyrics produced by Andrew Lloyd Weber, Tim Rice, and Harold Arlen. Alongside her castmates, Dorothy, played by Georgina Onuorah, were all exceptional. Of course, you cannot forget that Toto, the most famous Cairn Terrier, was adorable on stage.
A modern adaptation of Dorothy and Toto’s adventure ‘somewhere over the rainbow’ was thoroughly enjoyable for the whole family. Be quick to ‘follow the yellow brick road’ to the London Palladium before closing night.
We’re Off to See the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz!
