*****

I first saw the iconic film  in West Virginia, America, as a child, with snow surrounding our house on  Christmas 1966. I was captivated, enthralled and enchanted, even if I didn’t understand it all,  and have loved the show ever since.  Thus  I approached this production with some trepidation, I had my placard declaring:  “Don’t mess with my memories” ready. I should not have worried.

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This production deftly and lovingly retains all that made the original magical whilst giving it a 21^st Century makeover some eighty five years after its inception. When you tinker with greatness you take enormous risks. Pretty much every aspect of this reboot works and compliments the  Frank Baum original.

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Not only is the story an iconic classic, so is  Dorothy’s song, “Somewhere over the Rainbow”. In the original, Judy Garland sang it as a youthful song of hope. Much covered and rerecorded, it has lost none of its potency, instead gaining it,  as it has morphed into a poignant lament on childhood and growing up . Aviva Tulley remarkably embraces both strands in a powerhouse version that thrilled the youngsters and touched the oldies simultaneously.

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I was reminded what a good story this is.  Both a fantasy and a cautionary  morality tale,  the powerful  narrative arc is maintained while being  satisfyingly tweaked for a new audience .

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Normally, the cast receive the plaudits first in  reviews.  Here it is the backstage Creatives. Director Nik Foster has a vision sticks to it, and delivers. All the original strengths are retained, whilst 21^st century technology affords opportunities  for stage not available  to the  original film makers. The set design by Colin Richmond combines illuminated arches  ( lighting by Ben Cracknell) with a projected backdrop  ( Douglas O’Connell) which combines virtual reality, artificial intelligence and gaming. It is stunning,  culminating in the wonderful melting scene for the demise of the Wicked Witch. Using live animals on stage is increasingly problematic.   The  solution is a puppet dog  created by Rachel Canning,  operated by an onstage puppeteer. This works exceptionally well and affords in itself several dramatic opportunities.

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The cast is unusually strong. Foster and casting Director  Debbie O Brien took  a big gamble in casting  drag queen The Vivienne  as the Wicked Witch of the West-  and hit the jackpot. She plays it straight and nasty without a hint of campness and steals the show.  She is terrific, delivering a memorable couplet which rhymes  shoeless  with clueless. Her grenade launcher broomstick is a fabulous special effect, her evil den a mix of Houston NASA mission control, Las Vegas and Times Square New York.

Aviva Tulley not only delivers a convincing “Over the rainbow” , she also carries the role with grace and wonderment.  The supporting cast of old favourites  do not disappoint. The wonderful Wizard of Oz (Alex Bourne) ,   Scarecrow , Tin Man , and  Cowardly Lion  are all delightful  companions   for  Dorothy.   Good   witch Emily  Bull is wonderful  with a   Barbiesque  makeover including a pink  Vespa s cooter for transport and Abigail  Mathews excels as puppeteer Toto, signally brilliant and unobtrusive simultaneously. The ensemble combine to effect the unlikely transformation of Wolverhampton to The Emerald City and Kansas.

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All the adults, including myself were bowled over by this scintillating production which received a much deserved standing ovation.  More  importantly so were  my guests Sol ( aged 9) and May ( aged 8) ensuring  a new generation of devotees for this show which continues at Wolverhampton until the 4^th August before continuing on tour to  Sunderland the following week.