Theatre Review: The Wizard of Oz, Cork Opera House

Des O’Driscoll

4/5

With recent productions such as ProdiJIG and Annie, Cork Opera House has set the bar rather high for its summer shows.

This brings high audience expectations, but the lofty reputation remains intact for at least another year on the back of a hugely enjoyable adaptation of the tale of Dorothy and her pals.

While Dublin currently has a production of Wicked — the 21st century prequel — this version stays very close to the 1939 film. And why not? There’s good reason why that tale of the determined girl on the yellow-brick road has been perennially popular for 80 years.

We get fine performances and gorgeous versions of ‘Over the Rainbow’ and show’s other classic songs.

Simone Collins as Dorothy is a relatively new face on the scene, but offered more than enough to suggest we’ll be seeing a lot more of the young Dubliner.

However, if there is a show stealer, it’s George Hanover, the Cork actress probably most familiar as Fair City detective Audrey McCabe. Her Wicked Witch of the West oozed sneering menace, without straying over the line into panto levels of maleficence.

The three-hour experience (with interval) may test the attention spans of some younger attendees, but the vast majority will stay on course for a night they’ll always remember.

Dates:Until Sunday, Aug 26.

Times: 2pm and 7.30pm (Our 7.30pm show finished just before 10.30pm).

Prices: €20-€35; family of four €80-€120. (Plus booking fee for phone and online bookings)

Suitability: Kids of all ages, and grown-up lovers of musical theatre. The staging features a couple of loud bangs, but probably has fewer startling moments than the average panto. Wicked Witch is convincing without being overly scary.