Wizard of Oz at The Brickhouse

The land of Oz is a fantasy world that is like no other. Forget Narnia, where you risk getting bogged down in all that pseudo-Christian allegory. Peter Pan’s Neverland is now a bit too creepy after those endless pictures of Michael Jackson’s deserted reconstruction of the place, and trekking off to Middle-earth is a pastime for nerds. For sheer technicolour magic, great songs and a riotous explosion of kitsch, the only place to go is over the rainbow. Although if you’re a Doctor Who fan, it is understandable why you might not be so keen to make the journey.

Brick Lane’s Brickhouse has attempted to capture the essence of this far-away land. All the food, the drinks and entertainment have been themed around various aspects of the film, which is also played on a space above the performance area. But is it successful? Does it make you want to stay or click your heels three times and head on home?

What is immediately noticable is the lavishness of the venue and the indulgence to which the venue affords its clientele. Not many venues are so kind to offer a ‘Bed Bar’, hidden away on the top floor. This little den offers a certain amount of privacy while still providing a decent point of view by which to watch the night’s entertainments.

As for drinks, my companion and I were rather spoilt for choice. In the end, we plumped for cocktails, a King Size and a Monk’s Desire (both £8). My King Size, with its combination of vodka and pear cognac with pineapple and watermelon, certainly provided lip-smacking goodness although it was hard to see how this fitted in with the theme. The same went for my companion’s drink; a potent mix of gin, passionfruit liqueur, cucumber and apple juice.

The entertainment was MC’d by Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer. He razzed off a couple of well-heeled raps over beats before introducing the first act of the night, Piff the Magic Dragon. I don’t seem to remember many dragons appearing in the The Wizard of Oz and Piff seemed to be similarly bemused over his appearance on the bill, performing a few desultory magic tricks before shuffling off.

Things took a turn for the better and the introduction of the Scarecrow, complete with buffoonish clownery and yo-yo tricks, had the crowd eager for his every maladroit move. The evening was completed with a performance each side of the interval by a contortionist playing both the Good Witch of the Eastern Bloc and the Wicked Witch of the West Side. In both guises, she dazzled and worked her way round willing audience members, displaying sass, caustic wit and supreme physical agility.

However, I got the sense that all of the acts had fitted the theme around themselves rather than adapting to the film’s specifics. The venue has the space and the facilities to do an event such as this justice, but the Brickhouse needs to sharpen up if it is going to provide people with an experience in keeping with one of the most treasured films ever made.

The Brickhouse
152c Brick Lane
London
E1 6RU

Tel: 020 7247 0005