More fitful than festive

Over the years, the Watermill’s nimble actor-musician productions have delivered one joyous evening after another on a slender budget, so it gives me no pleasure at all to report that the venue’s latest offering is a rare misstep. Marietta Kirkbride’s tangled adaptation of the L Frank Baum tale manages to reduce the classic story to a series of aimless encounters, while Nick Barstow’s score is lacklustre at best. The venture is aimed at four-year-olds and upwards, but I doubt that adults or youngsters will have much idea of what’s happening.

There’s a clue to what’s gone wrong in the programme notes, where Kirkbride declares that the character of Dorothy — here known as Dot — needs to be rethought to bring her up to date with a world whose future seems “so ominous and uncertain”. Kirkbride adds: “I felt that Dorothy as a character needed updating, as did her opinions about power and the responsibility of holding it.”

Well, it’s a point of view. I suppose you could even turn our heroine into a Just Stop Oil activist, with the Wicked Witch of the West retooled as a BP executive intent on setting the world on fire. The problem is that, having dropped the Kansas setting, Kirkbride doesn’t actually do much with Dot at all: what you get is a dull, mildly stroppy British teen who seems to have spent so much time staring at a screen and swotting for GCSEs that she treats the Emerald City as just another TikTok video.

Annabel Marlow tries to bring some life to her underwritten role. As do Sally Cheng, Chris Coxon and James Gulliford as her three companions, here renamed Scarrow, Tinman and Lionel. The puppet designer Dan Southwell provides some much-needed fizz in the form of Dot’s beloved companion Toto, but as the pet dog scampers off early on, we’re left hoping to catch a glimpse of him later.

Meanwhile, the script, slackly directed by Georgie Staight, tosses in intergalactic references and a nod to Mission: Impossible. Angela Caesar plays Aunty Em, the Wizard and the Wicked Witch, alias Westly. Meanwhile, the yellow brick road has been replaced by the yellow route, which sounds more like a municipal bypass. The Munchkin puppets are fun, and Sophia Pardon’s set designs are charming. Otherwise, this show is more fitful than festive.

CLIVE DAVIS

Watermill's Oz is an absolute Wiz

Bagnor theatre's new take on the L Frank Baum classic is a cracking Chirstmas treat

The Watermill’s vibrant, refreshing new production of The Wizard of Oz, cleverly adapted by Marietta Kirkbride, from the original book by L Frank Baum, is given a modern lift, filled with family fun.

Our heroine Dot, delightfully played by Annabel Marlow, lives with her hardworking Aunt Em (Angela Caesar) and their dog Toto on a housing estate. Dot is a typical teenager, filled with doubts, questioning her future and seeking adventure.

But when an unexpected tornado hits the estate Dot is transported from her monotone world to a mysterious colourful land, beautifully realised in Sophie Pardon’s spectacular set and costume design, enhanced by Ali Hunter’s imaginative lighting and Anna Short’s creative sound.

It’s a land filled with strange creatures, puppet munchkins, the powerful Wizard of Oz and warring witches Glenda (Signe Larsson) and Westly (Angela Caesar).

The cast are all impressive and exceedingly accomplished actor/ musicians, playing Nick Barstow’s spirited score with relish. There are many catchy songs that effectively develop the story.

Dot, on a quest to find Toto, is encouraged to “follow, follow the yellow route on and on and on” – which becomes the earworm theme song. En route, Dot meets Scarrow, touchingly played by Sally Cheng as the scarecrow who wants a brain. Chris Coxon gives a surly northern interpretation with imposing movement as The Tin Man who wants a heart. Completing the trio is James Guilford’s superb Lionel, our Lion searching for courage.

Their journey finally leads to the Emerald City, but the Wizard’s personal assistant (also played by Signe Larsson) refuses them entry. The only way they will get in is to complete a task to collect the wicked witch’s magical wooden stick.

Challenge successfully completed, they finally get to meet the Wizard, who isn’t all powerful but rather needy.

All the characters have learnt lessons about themselves, having self-belief, friendships and the challenges that they face.

Deftly directed by Georgie Staight with striking puppet design by Dan Southwell from his frightening Quadling to his adorable Toto, this is an absolute Christmas treat for all.

ROBIN STRAPP