The Wizard Of Oz was a sheer delight at His Majesty's Theatre. Image - Supplied by Aberdeen Performing Arts.
The shocking weather passing for an Aberdeen summer has seen everything from lashing rain to freezing winds and now a tornado has swept through the Granite City – great fun it was, too.
The twister in question was the one that carried Dorothy all the way from Kansas to the land of the Munchkins in a fast, furious and fun stage version of The Wizard Of Oz at His Majesty’s Theatre.
Dorothy and Toto weren’t the only ones transported to a magical land full of wonderful characters, song and dance – the entire audience at HMT went on that journey, too, and were kept spellbound by the spectacular proceedings.
And it didn’t hurt there was a touch of the Glitterball about it all with Craig Revel Horwood as the Wicked Witch of the West.
Craig Revel Horwood has a ball as the Wicked Witch Of The West in The Wizard Of Oz at HMT. Image - Supplied by Aberdeen Performing Arts.
Of course, the most famous version of Oz is the timeless 1939 movie starring Judy Garland – keep your eyes peeled for an image of the Hollywood legend in this show - but there have been countless other takes on L Frank Baum’s story over the decades.
The latest is this revival-slash-adaptation from Andrew Lloyd Webber, who adds in some additional tunes, aided by his old mate lyricist Tim Rice.
But don’t worry, all the much-loved and oh-so-familiar songs – If Only Had A Brain, The Merry Old Land Of Oz, Follow The Yellow Brick Road - from the movie are in there, albeit with arrangements that give them an up-to-date feel, infused with hints of genres ranging from country to soul to jazz.
And the staging of this Oz more than lives up to the full Technicolor wonder of the original film – cutting edge in its day – with vibrant colours, dazzling costumes, a hint of steampunk and even a strand of Wicked DNA. All this, plus a clever use of a screen backdrop that gives the whole show a soaring, cinematic feel.
Benjamin Yates plays a blinder as the Scarecrow. Image - Supplied by Aberdeen Performing Arts.
The production rattles along at a breathless rate with song after dance number after jaw-dropping (or house-dropping-on-witch) stage effect that is just a delight.
But it’s not the tech that makes a show – it’s the people on the stage. And this Wizard of Oz is truly magical in that regard.
Aviva Tulley makes Dorothy her own – a living, breathing character who just happens to find herself among witches, Winkies, and Flying Monkeys. Aviva not only brings warmth and charm, but also a powerhouse voice. The production wastes no time in getting to Over The Rainbow and from the first notes, you know you are in safe hands with this talented actor.
Dorothy wouldn’t get too far without her pals in Oz. Benjamin Yates plays a blinder as the Scarecrow, amping up the goofy charm and humour, but backed by a lovely chemistry with Aviva’s Dorothy.
Nic Greenshields almost steals the show as the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard Of Oz at His Majesty's. Image - Supplied by Aberdee Performing Arts.
Femi Akinfolarin shows his mettle as the Tin Man with some smooth moves – never has The Robot bodypop been more appropriate, while Nic Greenshields comes pretty close to stealing the show as the Cowardly Lion, all bluff, bluster and “noives”.
Special mention also has to go to Toto, brought to life through the magic of stage puppetry, with Tyler Ephraim making the pup a perfect pal for Dorothy and a real character in the show.
Scots stage legend Allan Stewart essays an excellent Professor Marvel/Wizard and is on point in the closing sequences as he doles out the requisite brain, heart and courage.
But it’s Emily Bull’s gleeful Glinda – travelling by Vespa scooter not bubble – who gets Dorothy home with a soaring voice that gives punch to Lloyd Webber’s excellent Already Home, a poignant number that acts as a heartwarming coda to proceedings.
Nice of you to drop in... Aviva Tulley is a brilliant Dorothy in The Wizard Of Oz at His Majesty's Theatre. Image - Supplied by Aberdeen Performing Arts.
The big question for most folk is, how was Craig Revel Horwood? Excellent, is the answer.
No, he doesn’t carry the menace of the original Wicked Witch in the film, taking the villain of the piece into more camp/drag territory. And you are always aware that you are watching the Strictly baddie playing the Oz baddie – he even sneaks in a fab-u-lous.
But Craig is never less than a joy and his singing voice is a revelation.
Fun, joyous and with a real love of the Wizard Of Oz at its big, beating heart, this show is worth taking a trip over the rainbow for.
It runs at His Majesty’s until Saturday, find more information and tickets here.
Review by Scott Begbie