The Wizard of Oz
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The Wizard of Oz: A West End Magical Journey
"The Wizard of Oz" premiered in London’s West End at the London Palladium with previews on June 23, 2023, officially opening July 13 and running until September 3, after a 2021 Leicester Curve debut and UK tour. Based on L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel and the 1939 MGM film, this musical features Harold Arlen’s classic score, lyrics by E.Y. Harburg, a book by Jeremy Sams, and additional songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice from their 2011 revival. Directed by Nikolai Foster and produced by Michael Harrison, it stars Georgina Onuorah as Dorothy in her West End debut, logging over 100 performances by March 2025. A vibrant reimagining, it’s a testament to Oz’s enduring magic.
A Whirlwind Trip Over the Rainbow
The story tracks Dorothy Gale, swept from Kansas by a tornado to the fantastical Land of Oz. With her dog Toto, she seeks the Wizard in Emerald City to return home, befriending the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion each craving brains, heart, and courage. Pursued by the Wicked Witch of the West, who blames Dorothy for her sister’s death via a house-crashing twister, they navigate Munchkinland and poppy fields. The Wizard demands the Witch’s broomstick, leading to a fiery showdown where Dorothy’s water bucket melts the foe. Revealed as a humbug, the Wizard departs, but Glinda’s ruby-slipper magic sends Dorothy home, proving there’s no place like it.
Songs That Soar Beyond the Rainbow
Harold Arlen’s iconic score shines with “Over the Rainbow,” “We’re Off to See the Wizard,” and “Follow the Yellow Brick Road,” conducted by Adam Hoskins with orchestrations by Larry Wilcox. Lloyd Webber and Rice’s 2011 additions “Already Home,” “Red Shoes Blues,” and “Bring Me the Broomstick” deepen the Witch’s menace and Dorothy’s longing, though some critics found them less essential (The Guardian). The 2023 cast recording captures Onuorah’s “heart-melting” rendition (WhatsOnStage), blending film classics with fresh theatrical flair. It’s a musical journey that’s both nostalgic and newly minted, a Palladium triumph.
A Cast Clicking Their Heels
Georgina Onuorah leads as Dorothy, her powerhouse vocals earning standing ovations, alongside Ashley Banjo’s Tin Man, Louis Ga> Jason Pennycooke’s Scarecrow, and Christina Tedesco’s Cowardly Lion. The Vivienne slinks as the Wicked Witch, Jon Robyns charms as the Wizard, and Dianne Pilkington twinkles as Glinda. Femi Taylor’s Aunt Em and Eloise Horner’s Toto (a real pup) round out a “glorious” ensemble (Evening Standard). Foster’s direction, with Shay Barclay’s choreography, dazzles earning five-star raves for its “sheer joy” (The Stage).
A Technicolor West End Legacy
From its 2011 Palladium premiere (1,021 performances) with Danielle Hope to its 2023 revival after a Curve workshop and UK tour, "The Wizard of Oz" has enchanted the West End anew. The £10 million production sold out its 100+ Palladium shows, outpacing peers like "Back to the Future." Its 2024 UK tour continues, with amateur rights via MTI extending its spell. As of March 2025, it’s a Palladium jewel Baum’s tale reborn with ruby-slipper sparkle, proving Oz’s magic still reigns in London’s theatrical heart.