There’s No Place Like an Exeter Panto

Wizard of Oz - REVIEW

Hot on the heels of last year’s smash-hit Peter Pan, Exeter Corn Exchange has once again sprinkled its festive fairy dust with a gloriously colourful production of The Wizard of Oz.

Bursting onto the stage with more razzle-dazzle than a Kansas farmhouse landing in Munchkinland, this year’s performance is a joyful reminder as to just how much fun a “proper panto” can be.

With the recent cinema release of Wicked: For Good, choosing The Wizard of Oz feels perfectly timed, and this traditional pantomime with a modern twist delivers exactly what audiences hope for at Christmas: big laughs, toe-tapping songs, and plenty of magical mayhem. From the moment Dorothy slips on her ruby slippers, it’s a whirlwind trip over the rainbow packed with charm and energy.

The cast are clearly having a ball. Anna Lord makes a confident and endearing debut as Dorothy, leading the show with warmth and wide-eyed wonder. Antony Howe brings warmth and wit to Glinda the Good, while Christopher Edward’s Elphie-bette (AKA the Wicked Witch of the West) is deliciously mischievous, striking just the right balance between camp villainy and comic flair. Will

Trafford is the ever-energetic Scarecrow - I get tired just watching him fling himself around the stage as if he really were made of straw, yet I never tire of his antics! JJT’s Cowardly Lion wins hearts with a solid performance throughout. And a very versatile Rachel Kevany effortlessly dances and sings her way through a variety of roles. Also keep your eyes peeled for a fun surprise appearance from Matt Finegan as the Wizard himself.

Musically, the show leans gleefully into its pantomime credentials. From an infectious blast of Outkast’s Hey Ya! and Lady Gaga’s Abracadabra, to a super-camp rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow - and no panto is complete this year without a song or two from KPop Demon Hunters! There’s something for every generation to enjoy.

Bright, breezy, and brimming with festive cheer, The Wizard of Oz is a wizard of a pantomime.

It’s playing at the Exeter Corn Exchange until Thursday, January 1st – and it’s well worth following the yellow brick road.