REVIEW | Little But LIVE! 2023, Moseley Park, Birmingham
★ ★ ★.5
Reviewer - Roni
*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
Little but LIVE! is a small-scale arts festival currently in its fourth year of running in Moseley, produced by Paperback Theatre Company. The company, based in Birmingham, mostly produces plays alongside running the festival, which features a line-up of live music, comedy and various workshops. Their main attraction this year is a re-working of the Wizard of Oz, which promises to be full of laughs and Brummie goodness – and who better to understand ‘there’s no place like home’ than Brummies?!
This version of a well-loved classic follows Dot, a young girl living in the care system who is angry, both at the world and at the people she lives with. When she accidentally falls into Oz, killing a wicked witch in the process, Dot embarks on an adventure to get home, making new friends along the way. Together with the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion, Dot makes her way back to Birmingham, whilst her and her friends learn a thing or two about themselves along the way.
As this is an outdoor festival, there is little that can be said for the space or staging. However, the props and costumes displayed here are a real work of art, and proof that sometimes homemade and scrappy can be just as effective as big budget and slick. The flying monkey costumes in particular were wonderful. In terms of production, it does feel that the show could have benefitted from some kind of sound system or mics, but it is appreciated that this was likely down to venue or budget restraints.
Amelia Cameron-Padmore plays Dot, and strikes the balance between vulnerable and standoffish well. Although limited by venue constraints, her intentions were carried effectively through both song and script. Kathryn Hanke plays multiple roles as Emily (here a social worker), Glinda the Good Witch, the Wicked Witch of the West and the Wizard of Oz. Hanke is clearly a very versatile actor, and her believability never wavers. Her comic timing is also impeccable. Ashleigh Aston, Charlie Mills and Haleema Nasir complete the cast as the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion respectively, all with their own sparkling wit and horrifically thick Brummie accents (which are technically Black Country, but we won’t get into that!). The script as a whole is sufficient, although it lacks pace at times and could possibly do without quite so many musical interludes, as these don’t necessarily work well in the space. That said, the script is humorous and is littered with plenty of Brum references, including spoofs of popular bands The Streets and Black Sabbath.
Overall, this was a lovely little ode to Brum that feels authentically homemade and is a credit to its team. The production as a whole could benefit from some streamlining due to its location and audience, but this doesn’t take too much away from the enjoyability. Fun for all ages, this will make you fall in love with your home all over again.