Review: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz @ Octagon Theatre, Bolton (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Review: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz @ Octagon Theatre, Bolton

10:19am Tuesday 22nd November 2011 in Stage: Show reviews By Kat Dibbits, Feature writer

LAY your cynicism aside and get into the festive spirit, for the Octagon’s retelling of the Wizard of Oz is wonderful indeed.

All the familiar and favourite characters are present, albeit given a makeover in typical Octagon style.

The relocation of Dorothy’s hometown from Kansas to Bolton is handled with a light touch and Lloyd Gorman is a particular treat as the incredibly camp lion with big hair and even bigger confidence issues.

There are also charming performances from Paul-Ryan Carberry and Lee Drage as as the scarecrow and tin man respectively, while Ellie Paskell puts in a feisty performance as a defiantly Northern Dorothy.

A quick glance around the audience proved that the younger members were enraptured by the well-loved plot, particularly as the actors made a special effort to include them, but the well-written script — created by writers from the Octagon’s Incubate team — was also full of moments to make the adults smile.

There’s no rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow, which I for one am thankful for.

Instead there are new songs by musical director Barbara Hockaday which encompass every genre from hip hop to glam rock.

This bright and exciting new version of Oz is sure to delight families throughout the festive season, and the standing ovation the performance received was thoroughly well deserved.

* Until January 14.