Follow the yellow brick road into a fantastical world where Dorothy has never ventured before.

The world premiere of Shakespeare’s Oz – an innovative production fusing the worlds of The Wizard of Oz and William Shakespeare – comes to the Grand Theatre next week.

“If you’re a fan of Shakespeare and The Wizard of Oz you will have a really good time,” said London-based Odesa Company executive director Scott Smalley. “The audience should expect a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but also has high expectations for the onstage product.”

Smalley formed the theatrical company in 2023 with his brothers, Chris and Adam.

They produced their first project, Dracula, the same year at the Palace Theatre, followed by StageQuest Beyond the Veil and The Elephant Man, both in 2024.

Smalley said they chose Shakespeare’s Oz because they wanted a show “that would challenge our artists, our makeup, costume and lighting teams, but that would also be interesting.

“I thought it was an interesting concept and the script was strong,” he said.

Written by acclaimed Los Angeles playwright and artist Jordan Monsell, author of Pulp Shakespeare, Shakespeare’s Oz is a new take on an old story.

“Jordan Monsell cleverly inserts a lot of Shakespearean references, whether it’s language, characters or names of characters into the show,” Smalley said. “It’s a fun and exciting take on a classic.”

Monsell is scheduled to appear at the play’s final performance.

Smalley described the play as “a whimsical and fantastical adventure” that’s suitable for all audiences.

“There are really awesome costumes and lighting, the set is going to be cool and the performances are fun,” he said. “The language is straightforward and accessible.”

In Shakespeare’s Oz, Dorothy and Toto board a ship but instead of being whirled away by a tornado, they are blown to “a land that feels equal parts A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Twelfth Night,” Smalley said.

Along the way, the duo meets the Gentlemen of Oz: Scarecrow, Pewter Man – a Shakespearean take on the Tin Man – and the Cowardly Lion.

But the production is “no parody,” Smalley said.

“It’s a thrilling literary fusion that brings new life and unexpected depth to characters we thought we knew,” he said.

IF YOU GO

What: Shakespeare’s Oz – a world premiere

When: July 24 – 27

Where: The Auburn Stage at the Grand Theatre, 471 Richmond St., London

Tickets: tickets.grandtheatre.com

By Heather Rivers for lfpress.com.