LISTINGS Theatre Listings Dance Listings Original artwork by John Couzens South Bank Centre
JUDE KELLY TO DIRECT NEW PRODUCTION OF WIZARD OF OZAT THE ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL
The Wizard of Oz
Music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y Harburg WEDNESDAY 23 JULY TO SUNDAY 31 AUGUST 2008 A fully-staged production of The Wizard of Oz will be a major feature of Southbank Centre’s programme this summer. Directed by Southbank Centre’s Artistic Director, Jude Kelly, this much-loved classic will run from 23 July to 31 August, with a press night on Tuesday 29 July. This is the first time in more than 20 years that a major production of The Wizard of Oz has been staged in London. Southbank Centre will be producing the RSC stage version of the story, first shown in London in 1987, which closely follows the original classic MGM film from 1939, starring Judy Garland. The film was based on Frank Baum’s fairy tale book, published in 1900. Jude Kelly, Artistic Director of Southbank Centre, said: “The Wizard of Oz has left an indelible impression on over four generations. From its beginning as an American folk-fairy tale, it has grown into something that lies at the very heart of what we feel about courage and homecoming. With its stunning visual iconography, glorious music, and the unabashed vulnerability of its cast of characters – be they lions, wizards or men of tin – it fulfils the evergreen role of a true classic. I’ve directed The Wizard of Oz once before, and the great thing about it is that it responds equally well to the imagination of theatre making as to the wonderful technicolour of film.” To celebrate the run of the show plans are underway to transform Southbank Centre into a 21st-century ‘emerald city’ with the Royal Festival Hall bathed at night in magical green lighting and a yellow brick road guiding visitors to the site. The production will have a cast of 30, with all of the familiar characters on stage: Dorothy, the Scarecrow who needs a brain, the Tin Man who wants a heart, the cowardly Lion who desperately needs some courage and, of course, the Wicked Witch of the West. With live music from a 20-piece band, Arlen and Harburg’s classic songs Somewhere Over The Rainbow, We’re Off to See The Wizard and Follow The Yellow Brick Road will transport audiences to a land of munchkins, magic, music and song. The set and costumes will be designed by Michael Vale, Associate Artist at Southbank Centre. Jude Kelly is the Artistic Director of Southbank Centre and an award-winning director of more than 40 productions for stage and screen. Her many productions include Singin’ in the Rain, which won an Olivier Award (Best Musical), The Seagull and The Tempest with Ian McKellen, Johnson Over Jordan and Othello with Patrick Stewart, When We Are Married with Dawn French, the English National Opera’s productions of The Elixir of Love and On the Town, nominated for an Olivier Award (Best Musical), and Carmen Jones, at the Royal Festival Hall last summer. She was awarded the OBE for her services to theatre in 1997. Jude previously directed a staged production of The Wizard of Oz at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in 2002. Notes to editors
Booking Information Performance Times at the Royal Festival Hall will be Tuesdays – Saturdays at 7.30pm, with Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2.30pm. Booking online at www.southbankcentre.co.uk or from Ticket Prices
Southbank Centre
Theatre Listings Dance Listings
|
| entre |
