Theatre Review: The Wizard of Oz, Bristol Hippodrome

Summary

Rating: ★★★★★

Running Dates: Tuesday 2nd April - Sunday 7th April

Where to see it: Bristol Hippodrome

Duration: 2 hours and 10 minutes (incl. intervals)

Keywords: Musical Theatre, Classic, Based on Novel

Review

This show is just the right amount of a little too loud, a little too colourful and a little too funny - a formula that balances it all out to make sure you leave the theatre with a smile on your face.

BANG! Literally - be ready to jump, sing, be dazzled by the way that this show just sparkles.

The Wizard of Oz is one of those worldwide known pieces of art that almost everyone has read/seen in their lives - therefore my childhood memories were intrigued by what this musical had in store for me.

I have to start by praising the cast - The Vivienne (and the amazing Witch of the West laugh!), Aviva Tulley (Dorothy) and Abigail Matthews (as Toto the dog) being my absolute favourites. Then I admired the costumes and the set design, which were clever and had my eyes wandering from detail to detail. The story flew effortlessly with alternating video and scenic designs, especially when the characters were moving from place to place - I found that incredibly engaging and entertaining, making the two hours of the show just go by!

The Wizard of Oz is the story of not feeling heard or understood in the home we were brought up in - for whatever reason - and then leaving to find “somewhere over the rainbow,” a promised land where we can be heroes, find new friends, and… ultimately realise that home is always within us, in our hearts, and we can only go back eventually, in whichever shape or form! The singing and dancing talent on stage is out of this world - from Dorothy’s clear voice, to Glinda’s high notes, and the superbly enacted singing pieces of the Wicked Witch of the West.

This show is just the right amount of a little too loud, a little too colourful and a little too funny - a formula that balances it all out to make sure you leave the theatre with a smile on your face. You can see yourself in the Cowardly Lion, or in the Brainless Scarecrow, or again in the Heartless Tin Man - after all all we need is exactly where we need it, within ourselves!      

Standout Quote or Moment: If you know where home is, you can go anywhere!

See If: you love musical theatre and classics such as this one!

Similar Plays: The Lion King, Wicked

Last Impression: A chance to be so positively impressed by RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne and the talent of the whole cast. A must watch if you want to just spend a carefree and entertaining night watching a stunning musical! 

To get tickets for Come From Away click here

We were kindly gifted these tickets in exchange for a review.

Written by Angela Masella