The Wizard of Oz is one of the most well known and nostalgic movie musicals of all time. With a star studded cast, and a soundtrack that has won over hearts all over the world, to take it on as a new production is nothing short of a challenge. However, Curve Theatre, Leicester did just that and have created a show that not only stands on it's own two feet, but also gives the original take we know and love the tribute it deserves. 

Having moved from Leicester to the stage of the London Palladium, The Wizard of Oz is now taking the UK by story as it travels on the yellow brick road around the country. It's made it's home this week at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton and my goodness is there no place like home!

Following the tale of Dorothy Gale, the young girl who feels misunderstood and wants adventure in the great wide world outside of Kansas, The Wizard Of Oz sends you on a whirlwind journey that starts with a tornado. Having landed in Munchkinland on the other side of the rainbow, Dorothy quickly realises that she isn't in Kansas anymore and needs the help of Glinda the Good Witch, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion to find her way home. But in order to do so, she must seek the help of the Wizard whilst avoiding the Wicked Witch of the West. With her dog Toto by her side, and a pair of red slippers on her feet, anything is possible!

One thing that I loved about this production is how it truly blended the old and the new. Whilst it still included all the old touches that fans of the film know and love such as iconic songs, lines, and characters, it also blended itself with the modern and felt right for the times and not dated at all. With nods to other movies (I loved the Cowardly Lion's line about "the lion sleeps tonight") and new songs woven throughout, it felt fresh and innovative. I loved the way that Glinda's mode of transport was a moped rather than a bubble, and the people of Munchkinland used phones, camera's and police tape to secure Dorothy's house. It truly felt that the creators had a young audience at heart and completely smashed it. 

The staging and costuming is bright, eye catching, and completely in your face. With special effects that were a tad too much at times (for those with aversions to bright lights and bangs, this might not be the show for you - check the warnings before visiting), it sometimes distracted a tad from the brilliant acting and singing. I also felt that the stage itself seemed to lack at times. There was also a huge digital backdrop that had a constant video moving, it sometimes felt a bit jarring and clunky and from my seat it felt like there was a lot of dead space on set that I would have personally loved to have been filled with props and bigger set pieces. However, the costuming made up for this completely and everything from the iconic red slippers, to the flying monkeys and the Wicked Witch's costume was lavish, in your face, and just utterly perfect.