Edinburgh Fringe 2025
The Wizard of Oz
The Talentz
Genre: Youth Theatre
Venue: theSpaceUK on Niddry Street
Festival: Edinburgh Fringe
Low Down
The Talentz presents The Wizard of Oz at the Edinburgh Fringe, featuring an all-youth cast in a vibrant reimagining of the classic story. This new production draws inspiration from Wicked, adding fresh depth to Dorothy’s journey through Oz with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. The show highlights stunning visuals and dynamic performances, and introduces a unique twist to the familiar adventure. The heartwarming presentation is designed to captivate audiences of all ages. The Talentz previously achieved a sell-out run with The Addams Family at Edinburgh Fringe 2024., and I am not surprised.
Review
This youth theatre production of The Wizard of Oz at the Edinburgh Fringe remains faithful to the original film while adding subtle touches from later adaptations. With strong ensemble work, skilful editing, and spirited performances, it recreates the magic of Judy Garland’s Dorothy and the yellow brick road for a new audience without distorting its timeless story.
Costumes and make up stay true to the original book and the classic film. At the same time there are influences from more recent adaptations and mash ups such as Wicked. This was the final Fringe performance and family and friends were well in evidence in the audience.
This is joyful Fringe, honouring a classic and giving it a neat twist. Dorothy is very Judy Garland in all the right ways. She is faithful and on top of the script with top drawer singing. Many of the original lines are preserved and it becomes a fitting tribute. It is also a deft and wise edit of a much longer script. The other major characters also portray the scarecow, tin man and cowardly lion with full nods to the film characters but also infused with their own personalities as well. It’s a successful fusion. Now, Toto the dog … no, I will not spoil it for you!
The twister is a sight to behold and provides an occasion for some skilled ensemble physical theatre. Most of the classic songs are included and the full Munchkin routine is there. The Wicked Witch of the West appears with presence and the performers at times do impersonate but each individual is also allowed to express themselves. Top marks go to the creativity in invoking the yellow brick road.
The harmonies are superb. The offstage chorus works very well and adds another layer. There was even scope for more use of paper in the staging, yet what was achieved here could give a higher budget version a run for its money.
The choice to keep the song The Jitterbug was a highlight. It is often cut, yet its inclusion here added something rare and welcome. This is one of the best youth theatre shows I have ever seen at the Fringe. The entire cast gave over one hundred per cent to their performances. Direction was tight and choreography was playful and always served the piece without overshadowing it. Some entrances and exits need a little tightening but the standard throughout was extremely high.
Staying true to the original film makes this a faithful rendition cleverly edited so that you hardly notice what has been taken out. Personally I was glad that the script had not been updated with television references, because this simply reaffirms that The Wizard of Oz is a timeless film and a timeless story.
L Frank Baum’s book was rendered into the original film in ways that did not please everybody, but it is easy to imagine he would be pleased with what this young troupe have achieved with his story. I found myself back in my own childhood, watching the film at Christmas, and felt that it was brought to life again before me.
This is outstanding youth theatre because of the quality of the ensemble cast, the performances of the main characters, and the sense of magic created through simple props and lighting effects. Singing and harmony are excellent, comedy moments are delivered with timing, and the balance between tribute and performance is carefully held. It is also outstanding because such talent deserves to create something from scratch in the future.
If you do not know the story of The Wizard of Oz, this is the hero’s journey, but here it is not just one hero. It is four. Their journey into challenge is met with resistance as they follow the yellow brick road to help Dorothy get back home to Kansas. They learn that the greatest things you seek are often on your very doorstep, in those you love, but you only discover that truth when you are torn away from them and feel the anguish of missing them.
This is one of the finest youth theatre shows I have ever seen at the Fringe. It is outstanding for its quality, for its togetherness, for the commitment of the cast, and for the bold decision to bring the original film to the stage without tinkering too much.
