» The Wizard of Oz at Theatre Royal
There will be a fairytale at Christmas for the Theatre Royal, with The Wizard of OZ
There will be no pantomime in Brighton this year. Fairytale fans need not fret, however, as the Theatre Royal is putting on a production of one of the most enduring fantasy stories of all time. The change of tack follows the disappointment of last year’s pantomime, Cinderella, which featured Kim and Aggie. In response to criticism and a slump in ticket sales, the Theatre Royal is dropping the celebrities and putting on a fully professional production using West End performers, and has hired multiple Olivier Award-nominated star Tim Flavin as director.
Latest 7 spoke to Flavin, who will also be ‘following the yellow brick road’ as Scarecrow, before he embarks upon the rehearsals ahead.
‘‘I’m a traditionalist… I’m going to deliver the best piece of musical theatre that I possibly can’’
We began by asking him how he felt his production would differ from panto. “I’m not trying to compete with Pantomime… I’m a traditionalist, so I’m going to deliver the best piece of musical theatre that I possibly can and let other people do panto and provide that choice”.
“Last year the panto didn’t do as well as they had hoped. That’s the diplomatic way of putting it. This year we are determined to do better by producing a show of a better performing quality”.
While there won’t be as much audience participation, this production still looks to be quite a spectacle, with flying monkeys, flying witches and an on-stage twister effect promised.
Tim has worked through the years as an actor and as a director in a number of different productions, but how did he feel about working as both in the same production?
“It’s insane, absolutely insane, and the only way you can do it is to have a very good associate director, which I have.You have to know when to hand over, because at certain points, you can’t sit out and watch anymore. You have to participate as a cast member and let your associate take over. I’ve done this several times so I know what I’m getting into, this is not an unknown quantity for me.
“I’m not dictatorial as a director, but I’m very specific with my preparation, I like to have something to start with. I think actors are eager to be given direction. If it doesn’t work for them, well then we have something to discuss”
This production of The Wizard of Oz accurately uses the 1939 MGM film script starring Judy Garland and the company will be trying to capture the spirit of that iconic film as closely as possible. “I love the movie and I feel devoted to it, I feel like I want to take care of it like it’s one of my children”.
Is he worried that people would be expecting too much or have preconceptions about The Wizard of Oz? “No… because it’s only my preconception that’s important. And I’m not worried about what anybody else thinks, and I can only do what I do, with the acting company that I have and the set and costume resources that I have and the kicking of the producers to give me more resources”. Flavin’s cast will have a local element to it, with theatre school children playing the munchkins, while local dogs are being auditioned to play Dorothy’s canine companion Toto.
The Wizard of Oz, Theatre Royal, Brighton, Fri 5 Dec 2008–Sun 4 Jan 2009, £15–£24 from
the Box Office, call 08700 606 650 or www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyal
