The show features original songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of The Wizard of Oz has opened in London's West End, with Danielle Hope playing the lead role of Dorothy.
The 18-year-old won the part after being voted the winner of BBC One talent search Over the Rainbow.
Hope is joined on stage at the Palladium by Michael Crawford, making his West End return in the dual role of Professor Marvel and the Wizard.
While critics have praised the show's visual aspects, they have expressed reservations about the lead performances.
In the Daily Mail, Quentin Letts says that "the story lacks the emotive motor of a love affair" and that the "dramatic buzz" is "not much better than you'd find at a decent pantomime".
OUR VERDICT
Even the mighty Lord Lloyd Webber must have wondered if he had bitten off more than he could chew when he took on the iconic Wizard of Oz.
But he pulls it off - sort of.
TV talent show winner Danielle Hope wisely avoids the temptation to just imitate Judy Garland - her understated and tender rendition of Over the Rainbow proves this newcomer can hold her own.
Webber has written additional songs to complement classics such as Follow the Yellow Brick Road and We're Off to See the Wizard.
And while Michael Crawford's Wonders of the World and Bring Me the Broomstick are a little underwhelming, the Wicked Witch's Red Shoes Blues is a powerful number sung with gusto by Hannah Waddingham.
But it is undoubtedly the set design that is the real star of the show. In fact, it almost puts the stars in the shade.
The famous cyclone scene in the 1939 movie is achieved using a combination of live action and film effects and is truly thrilling.
As long as the slick revolving stage and special effects are a dazzling assault on the senses, the cast will have to be happy to play second fiddle.
"The most appealing star of Lord Lloyd Webber's latest telly-marketing musical is not veteran hoofer Michael Crawford or even Danielle Hope," he continues.
"It is Toto the West Highland terrier."
The Guardian's Michael Billington says the musical - adapted from the classic 1939 movie that was itself based on L Frank Baum's 1900 novel - is "quite an eyeful".
Yet he goes on to claim it is "somewhat lacking in humanity" and that he "came out feeling blitzkrieged rather than charmed".
Hope, he continues, "shows a natural, easy presence" but "can't hope to compete with the scenery", while Crawford seemed "slightly subdued".
The Daily Telegraph's Charles Spencer echoes those sentiments, saying that Hope "offers a thoroughly competent rather than an inspired performance".
She "sings Over the Rainbow with feeling" but "lacks the heart-catching vulnerability of the young Judy Garland".
He also wonders "why Michael Crawford has bothered to come out of semi-retirement".
"You can't fault the proficiency of Hope's performance or her clear, serviceable singing," writes Paul Taylor in The Independent.
"But she is never going to break your heart."
Taylor also joined Letts in his praise of the actress's canine co-star, saying he was "touched" by "the endlessly endearing Westmoreland terrier... who didn't put a paw wrong as Toto".
The Wizard of Oz is one of two current West End musicals inspired by L Frank Baum's famous characters.
Broadway hit Wicked - described as "The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz" - is now in its fifth year at the Apollo Victoria.
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