Oklahoma! - Wyndham's Theatre

From eccentric lighting to minimal yet powerful staging, this production has firmly earned its place as one of the most compelling reinterpretations of a Golden Age classic.

Oklahoma! follows farm girl Laurey Williams and her fraught courtship between two suitors: the affable cowboy Curly McLain and the dark, brooding Jud Fry. While the storyline may seem straightforward, the show is underpinned by deeply outdated values—particularly regarding women’s autonomy. Women in this world are treated as property, bartered and possessed. This disturbing reality is starkly mirrored in the staging. The cast remains on stage for most of the performance, seated around a long table and facing the audience. Though deceptively simple, this setup creates a powerful sense of voyeurism. The use of full house lighting for much of the show dissolves the boundary between audience and performer, making it feel as though we’re uncomfortably present in their lives. It’s an unsettling effect that compels us to confront societal values of the past and consider the echoes that still linger in our present.

The lighting design deserves special mention. The set is sparse—wooden panels and rifle-adorned walls—which offers the lighting team complete freedom to play with colour and intensity. Notably, the auditorium is plunged into total darkness for extended periods, particularly during the “Poor Jud is Dead” scene. While disorienting, this blackout powerfully reinforces the eerie, menacing tone of the narrative and immerses the audience in its psychological undercurrents.

Photography: Marc Brenner

One of the most radical departures from the original is the dream ballet sequence. Traditionally, this scene visualizes Laurey’s internal conflict, imagining life with either suitor—starting in bliss and devolving into nightmare. Originally performed with a full ballet ensemble, it’s a wordless, haunting portrayal of desire and dread. In this version, the scene is danced solo, blending ballet with contemporary movement. I’ll admit I was initially sceptical. It took me a moment to reorient myself within the narrative, but ultimately, the piece proved captivating—stripped down, expressive, and deeply unsettling in its emotional resonance.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how the production reimagines Oklahoma!. That said, I found the ending somewhat underwhelming. Without revealing too much (as its surprise is part of the impact), be warned: any moral clarity you expect may be left behind. Still, the staging choices, though bold, serve the show’s thematic intentions well.

Photography: Marc Brenner

One element that remains reassuringly intact is the music. While the orchestration includes a few added instruments and rhythmic tweaks, the heart of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s score is preserved. As a long time admirer of their work, I was relieved—and delighted—to see this fidelity honoured.

I can’t recommend this production enough, but be advised: this is not the Oklahoma! you may remember. Approach it with an open mind, ready to see the classic through a modern, sometimes unsettling lens. Even so, the show remains rooted in the spirit of Rodgers and Hammerstein—just reimagined for a new era.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)