AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE OF THE WIZARD OF OZ THE ARENA SPECTACULAR OPENS IN NEWCASTLE APRIL 2019
Announcement posted by Thurnham Teece 29 Nov 2018
AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE OF THE WIZARD OF OZ THE ARENA SPECTACULAR OPENS IN NEWCASTLE APRIL 2019
The all-new Australian Premiere of THE WIZARD OF OZ ARENA SPECTACULAR will bring to life one of the most beloved fantasy tales of all time at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre in April 2019.
Starring over 500 performers and presenting three shows only at the Entertainment Centre during the April School Holidays, tickets are on sale now at www.ticketek.com.au
Harvest Rain CEO and Director, Tim O’Connor says, "Everyone knows and loves the 1939 film, but for this new arena production, we wanted to take what audiences are familiar with and tip it on it's head. This is a whole new vision of Oz, brought to life on the massive arena stage with state-of-the-art technology and wizardry."
The stage for the show is the size of three basketball courts (large enough to hold the 500-strong cast) and the entire set has a 9-metre high LED screen wrapped around it where wall-to-wall animations will bring the land of Oz to life in vivid colour unlike any other production of THE WIZARD OF OZ has done before.
"This show is a real feast for the eyes," says Producer Megan Whiting. "It has the feel of a rock concert with the charm of a fairy tale, the magic and spectacle of an Olympics opening ceremony and all the heart of the original story that audiences through the decades have come to adore."
Choreographed by Callum Mansfield (Grease – the Arena Experience, Hairspray The Big Fat Arena Spectacular), the show incorporates truly imaginative staging techniques to create breathtaking sequences involving hundreds of performers moving in synchronisation across the massive stage.
"This is a total reimagining of Oz," says Tim O'Connor, "so if you think you've seen it all before, think again. This show is grungier and more moody than past iterations - a little less pantomime and a little more steampunk. It has a darker edge, but it's very fanciful - a real delight for the young, and the young at heart."
The show stars newcomer Carly Bettinson as Dorothy, with Chris Geoghegan as the Scarecrow, Michael Nunn as Tinman and Josh Whitten as Lion. Aurelie Roque plays Glinda the Good Witch, and Bil Heit strikes fear in the hearts of children all over Oz as the Wicked Witch of the West.
THE WIZARD OF OZ - ARENA SPECTACULAR opens at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre in April 2019, before heading to Brisbane Entertainment Centre in July 2019, Adelaide Entertainment Centre in October 2019 and Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney in January 2020. More cities to be announced soon.
THE WIZARD OF OZ ARENA SPECTACULAR
Directed by Tim O'Connor
Choreographed by Callum Mansfield
Music Direction by Dennett Hudson,
Set Design by Frances Hannaway,
Sound Design by John Taylor
Lighting Design by Trudy Dalgleish
Illustrations by Elizabeth Botte
Animations by Optikal Bloc.
Newcastle Entertainment Centre
During April School Holidays
26th – 27th April 2019
Tickets from $39
www.ticketek.com.au
www.wizardofozarena.com
The all-new Australian Premiere of THE WIZARD OF OZ ARENA SPECTACULAR will bring to life one of the most beloved fantasy tales of all time at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre in April 2019.
Starring over 500 performers and presenting three shows only at the Entertainment Centre during the April School Holidays, tickets are on sale now at www.ticketek.com.au
Harvest Rain CEO and Director, Tim O’Connor says, "Everyone knows and loves the 1939 film, but for this new arena production, we wanted to take what audiences are familiar with and tip it on it's head. This is a whole new vision of Oz, brought to life on the massive arena stage with state-of-the-art technology and wizardry."
The stage for the show is the size of three basketball courts (large enough to hold the 500-strong cast) and the entire set has a 9-metre high LED screen wrapped around it where wall-to-wall animations will bring the land of Oz to life in vivid colour unlike any other production of THE WIZARD OF OZ has done before.
"This show is a real feast for the eyes," says Producer Megan Whiting. "It has the feel of a rock concert with the charm of a fairy tale, the magic and spectacle of an Olympics opening ceremony and all the heart of the original story that audiences through the decades have come to adore."
Choreographed by Callum Mansfield (Grease – the Arena Experience, Hairspray The Big Fat Arena Spectacular), the show incorporates truly imaginative staging techniques to create breathtaking sequences involving hundreds of performers moving in synchronisation across the massive stage.
"This is a total reimagining of Oz," says Tim O'Connor, "so if you think you've seen it all before, think again. This show is grungier and more moody than past iterations - a little less pantomime and a little more steampunk. It has a darker edge, but it's very fanciful - a real delight for the young, and the young at heart."
The show stars newcomer Carly Bettinson as Dorothy, with Chris Geoghegan as the Scarecrow, Michael Nunn as Tinman and Josh Whitten as Lion. Aurelie Roque plays Glinda the Good Witch, and Bil Heit strikes fear in the hearts of children all over Oz as the Wicked Witch of the West.
THE WIZARD OF OZ - ARENA SPECTACULAR opens at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre in April 2019, before heading to Brisbane Entertainment Centre in July 2019, Adelaide Entertainment Centre in October 2019 and Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney in January 2020. More cities to be announced soon.
THE WIZARD OF OZ ARENA SPECTACULAR
Directed by Tim O'Connor
Choreographed by Callum Mansfield
Music Direction by Dennett Hudson,
Set Design by Frances Hannaway,
Sound Design by John Taylor
Lighting Design by Trudy Dalgleish
Illustrations by Elizabeth Botte
Animations by Optikal Bloc.
Newcastle Entertainment Centre
During April School Holidays
26th – 27th April 2019
Tickets from $39
www.ticketek.com.au
www.wizardofozarena.com