The Wizard Of Oz, The IDOLS Review

Reviewed by Hollie for Theatre and Tonic

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review

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At Leicester’s Little Theatre this week a group of actors known as The IDOLS are performing the classic musical The Wizard of Oz.

The IDOLS are a group of performers that have been around since 1955. This year is their 69th year! The group were originally a passionate group of workers from Leicester’s Royal Infirmary who performed productions and musicals in the hospital itself. As time has moved on, the group have performed over 40 different musicals with The Wizard of Oz being their 41st. 

After last year’s production of The School of Rock, I was really looking forward to this performance of the classic musical as last year’s production was a fantastic show that blew me away! In this production of The Wizard Of Oz , a special mention needs to be made to the main four actors, Stacey Henson who played Dorothy, Ben Cusack who played the Scarecrow, Lizzie Bywater-Florance who played the Tin Man and Norman Buckby who played the Lion. 

Along with their sense of humour, great choreography and camaraderie between the cast members, this production is a great watch for the cold October evenings that we are experiencing. 

Given the circumstances with recent cast changes and illnesses, the cast seemed confident in their roles. The production at times felt a little bit under rehearsed and you could feel the nerves when sitting in the audience, but the cast members did relax as the show went on and this is all understandable based on the issues they have had to contend with. 

The actors really gave it their all and the children that were playing the munchkins gave the show a renewed energy and lots of sweet moments with the audience. There were also lots of laughs and surprises for the audience with the introduction of Toto onto the stage. Toto seemed comfortable and at home in Oz with all of the other cast members!

Did I really feel like I had been transported out of Kansas or even Leicester? If I am totally honest, no I didn’t, but this was more down to the lack of imaginative scenery and the emphasis placed on the screen projections. The costumes created by Kayleigh Cook, Bex Ritchie and other members of the cast were absolutely superb as always, and I really felt that they represented the characters well. If the scenery could have matched the calibre of the costumes then I would have felt as if we were really in Oz. 

The yellow brick road was at times difficult to see on the stage so when the cast were singing the classic song ‘Follow the Yellow Brick Road’ I found it hard to believe that that is where they were heading! The actors and children all have sensational singing voices and the classic musical numbers ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ and ‘We’re Off to See the Wizard’ were full of energy, happiness and pizazz. 

I encourage you to go and support the cast, the children and Toto at Leicester’s Little Theatre where they will be performing ‘The Wizard of Oz’ until Saturday 12th October 2024. 

★ ★ ★.5