Review: THE WIZ, Hope Mill Theatre
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
The Wiz broke ground when it blazed onto Broadway at record speed in 1975, bagging the hearts of critics and audiences alike, and a slew of TONY’s to boot. The story? We all know it. It’s the familiar story of The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, however, The Wiz changed the game by allowing us to view this story through the rich tapestry of African-American culture, with a score ranging from soul to R&B produced by an entirely black cast. 46 years after blazing on Broadway, it’s blazed right into Manchester with a fresh and thrilling new revival at Hope Mill Theatre.
The show opens in modern day Kansas, bleak and monochrome. Footage of the Black Lives Matter protests play on the screen in the background as Aunt Em (played lovingly by Bree Smith) sings of her love for Dorothy and wanting to protect her in this uncertain time, meanwhile Dorothy longs to escape from the pressures of the current world. As the iconic tornado hits, projections by George Reeve are woven beautifully into the choreography whilst the set is dismantled to reveal a blinding technicolor graffitied Oz.
It has to be said the design elements of this production are sensational. The urban walls graffitied and lit by Simon Kenny and Simisola Majekodunmi respectively encapsulate a new Oz, a current Oz that is palatable, kinetic and yet also warming and homely. Other than the walls, the set is few and far between but this merely allows room for the exhilarating routines provided by choreographer Leah Hill.
If this is Hill’s professional debut, then snap her up producers because what she has produced on this production is nothing short of breathtaking. Hill blends commercial, hip hop and classic musical theatre dancing styles to create dynamic, original and exciting routines, providing punch after punch, elevating every moment it supports whilst also being executed by an incredible troupe of ensemble dancers. This is seen to great aplomb in ‘Everybody Rejoice’.
Matthew Xia’s direction is fluid and balanced, allowing the actors the space to breathe and live, telling their truth in freedom rather than prescribed painting by numbers which is seen all too often in modern commercial musical theatre. The band under Ehsaan Shivarani’s musical direction sounds astounding, with Sean Green’s new orchestrations bringing the score right into the here and now, with an urgency and excitement that is palatable.
Cherelle Williams provides us with a gorgeous honesty with her Dorothy; a girl who wants for more, but realises the expense of it when it compromises what you already have. This culminates in a rousing ‘Finale’ performance that is also vocally gorgeous. A real standout is Llewellyn Graham as Tin Man in his professional debut. He navigates comedy and sincerity expertly with incredible physicality and vocals to die for. Tarik Frimpong and Jonathan Andre as Scarecrow and Lion respectively also display endearing and layered characters, with Andre in particular providing hilarious physicality and personality as Lion. Ashh Blackwood makes a hilarious turn in her cameo as the Wicked Witch of the West Evilene, with a show stopping rendition of ‘Don’t Bring Me No Bad News”’ as does Bree Smith also playing Glinda, whose performance of ‘Believe in Yourself’ is hair raising. A special mention must also go to Cameron Bernard Jones as The Wiz himself, navigating the light and the dark, the humour and the pathos with expert athleticism; constantly asking the question whether you are infuriated by the Wiz, or you pity him?
The production is a sensation, which is no surprise given the track record of Hope Mill Theatre, but this one feels different, this one is different, this one is a moment. The Wiz proves that when you have a collection of creatives who are intrinsically connected to the DNA of the piece, when you honour the cultural and artistic integrity of the project by reflecting that in everything that surrounds it, it simply radiates on a level that wouldn’t otherwise exist. This is is a step in the right direction, this is a change, this is representation, and this is a production that other producers need to see unless they want to remain on the wrong side of history.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Duncan Burt
The Wiz plays at Hope Mill Theatre until 16 January 2022, with tickets available here.
