Gscene News Archive

After the disappointment of last years Panto, Cinderella, the Theatre Royal chose to move away from a traditional panto format this year with The Wizard Of Oz.

I have to admit I was left slightly bemused by the production. Great individual performances, good singing and dancing, clever script, maybe a little more could have been spent on the production but overall a great night out…… for grownups. And there lay the problem. The show did not engage the children sitting round me. They were noisy and to be honest bored, clearly having trouble following the fast moving script.

Half way through the show everyone started to enter into the spirit of the evening, booing the bad witch and cheering the lion, but it took far too long for the audience to feel comfortable engaging in the traditional type of audience participation associated with a Christmas Show.

Toto the dog and the lion played by Gareth Marks steal the show. Marks' performance is masterful playing every camp innuendo for its worth and more. The subtleties of his performance appeal to the grownups while his hi camp delivery engages the children. Aimie Atkinson playing Dorothy, Tim Flavin playing Scarecrow and Jon Clairmonte playing Tin Man all give strong performances as does Julia J Nagle as Glinda the camp witch, while the troupe of Munchkins are adorable.

If you go expecting a traditional panto you might well be disappointed, but go with an open mind and you will be pleasantly surprised by the quality and standard of the performances.

My advice for LGBT theatre goers is leave the kids at home and take your granny. She will love it!

The Wizard of Oz plays at the Theatre Royal, New Road, Brighton till Sunday January 4.

For further details go to:
www.theambassadors.com/tickets/brighton/theatreroyal/4340/the-wizard-of-oz.html