Wizard of Oz

In 1973 Leicester Haymarket Theatre opened its doors to the people of the East Midlands and now, 34 years later, it is closing for the final time while a new theatre is built across the city in the Arts Quarter. For much of its life Paul Kerryson has been actively involved in its artistic direction so it is appropriate that his production of The Wizard of Oz closes the main stage over Christmas 2006.
What can I say about this production? Camp is not the word! A veritable feast of colour, songs, costumes and the ultimate villianess in Ceri Dupree. With Kerryson's trademark motor vehicles onstage the Wicked Witch roars on stage left in a variety of ever more outrageous costumes to terrorise Maria runner up Helena Blackman as Dorothy and her Toto. The production is full of special effects with, as a first half finale, a full snow storm both onstage and in the stalls!
Several old friends of the Haymarket came back for this final production; stalwarts of the regional theatre circuit who, inexplicable, never seem to gain the national recognition they deserve. However, London's loss is our gain. Away from the West End we are lucky to regularly be entertained by the best actors around. Long may it continue.
Mention should also be made of the very imaginative use of scenery, light and video in this production. With computers being put to ever more amazing uses it is good that theatre is not being left behind and making full use of the magic that is available.

© Paul Towers 2007