Over the Rainbow

As previously rumoured in many industry papers and websites, The Wizard of Oz will be opening at the London Palladium with performances starting on the 29^th March 2011. Sister Act, which currently resides at the Palladium, will close on 1^st January 2011 after a very successful run. The Wizard of Oz will also include new songs written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Glen Slater and will be choreographed by Arlene Phillips. ALW and Arlene seem to be riding the crest of a TV/Stage show wave at the moment; but how long before we tire of Saturday night television parading poor wannabe performers in front of millions of voting viewers who ultimately decide who they think can carry a West End show? .....And where do these girls go to after they ride the sparkly moon?

There are safe guards in place to ensure the producers and judges "save" the performers they want, but what would happen if the audience vote really got it wrong? Could a multi-million pound production survive if the winner was unable to cope with six to eight shows per week through lack of experience or training?

But far more importantly which aspiring canine will play Toto? (And yes, Lulu is otherwise engaged).