Do you know the RSC Wizard of Oz?

[Silvester.Botticelli]

Posted: 6/17/17 at 4:28pm

Hello dear Musical friends

from time to time Oz fever takes the world again and with Wicked still being what it is and the "recent" Webber version, some of you might heard about the Royal Shakespeare Company's staging.

The RSC adapted the classical movie musical in 1986 with writer John Kane and put it on stage at the Barbican in London one year later as the Christmas show. The show was so successful with both audience and critics that they gave it two (!) revivals in both 1988 and 89. 

This script version of Oz is still the number one version being used all around the world. Some critics said in 87 that "...it makes it seem like the movie was based on the show and not the other way 'round."

And even Webber used lots and lots from this one (no credit given as usual though).

But how did the show look? Here and then people seem to be still interested in that question and there's basically no material in the internet to find to answer that.

The show was the first (thankfully) and probably last (sadly) approach to go as far from the classic movie visuals as possible and featured an amazing costume and stage design by - still successful - designer Mark Thompson. His vision was a never-before-and-never-seen-after look that combined both Denslows original illustration from the book but also drew inspiration from the all black musical "The Wiz".

I'm now happy owner of show recordings from 87 (original cast featuring Imelda Staunton as Dorothy, who is now known for her part in Harry Potter and other major roles and Jim Carter, from Downtown Abbey, as the Lion), 88 and 89 (featuring the cast from the well known London cast recording starring Gillian Bevan).

So I decided to start sharing some little tasty bites of the show!

OVER THE RAINBOW
https://youtu.be/hLjXA8aZv-Y

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

 

MUNCHKINLAND
https://youtu.be/X_GAJpaXDww

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

 

Please feel free to ask any questions about the show if you're interested! 

Updated On: 6/19/17 at 04:28 PM

[Silvester.Botticelli]

Posted: 6/19/17 at 3:22pm

I just noticed that the links were not working! Now they should! Enjoy!