Families Disappointed by 'Embarrassing' Glasgow Hydro Show, Comparing It to the Disastrous Willy Wonka Experience
A recent production at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, dubbed the 'Wicked Wizard of Oz: Cirque Spectacular', has been met with disappointment from families who attended the show. The production company, World’s Biggest Productions, promised a unique blend of traditional panto and circus, but many attendees were left feeling underwhelmed.
The show, which attracted hundreds of excited families over the weekend, was billed as a 'brand-new, breath-taking, Cirque staging' of Frank L. Baum's beloved story. However, dozens of disappointed theatre-goers have taken to a Facebook group, 'The Woeful Wicked Wizard of Oz – A Not-So Cirque Spectacular', to express their dissatisfaction.
One family, including dad Ross Martin, paid £297 for their five-person family to attend the show. Martin described the performance as 'embarrassing' and compared it unfavorably to the infamous 'Willy Wonka Experience' that made headlines worldwide in February 2024. Another attendee, Gill Murray, walked out after just 25 minutes, calling the show 'horrendous' and expressing her disappointment in an email complaint.
The negative reviews continued on social media, with Carolyn Keegan Macfarlane calling it a 'rip-off' and Lindsey Moynes simply stating, 'Utter sh*te.'
In response to the criticism, a spokesperson for World’s Biggest Productions defended the show, clarifying that the promotional videos featured acts from the Manchester performance, which were captured during rehearsals and live shows in Blackpool. The spokesperson also noted that the show's title included a smaller font descriptor, 'cirque spectacular,' and 'panto meets cirque,' indicating the inclusion of circus elements in a panto-style show.
The company also highlighted the success of their circus cast, who won silver medals at European circus festivals, and emphasized the difference in pricing and production values between their show and Cirque de Soleil. They defended the show's humor, explaining that it aligns with the traditional silly jokes found in pantomimes, and noted that the majority of attendees enjoy the unique form of humor that has endured for two centuries.
Despite the controversy, the spokesperson invited discussions and encouraged those with differing opinions to share their thoughts, inviting a constructive dialogue around the show's reception.
