Hundreds of theatergoers in the UK reportedly walked out of a Wizard of Oz–themed production this week, saying the show was poorly executed and marketed in a way that set expectations it didn’t meet.
The Dec. 23 performance of “Wicked Wizard of Oz—A Cirque Spectacular” at Manchester’s AO Arena drew complaints from audience members who believed they were buying tickets to something closer to a Cirque du Soleil-style spectacle—especially after the production was promoted as “breathtaking.”
“I am speechless for how bad it was”
Michelle Radford told Manchester Evening News that she and others expected a Wizard of Oz-themed show with high-end cirque-style staging—but left feeling disappointed.
“It was atrocious. I have never seen anything so bad in my life,” Radford said. “We thought it would be like Cirque du Soleil… I am speechless for how bad it was.”
She added that she had requested a refund without hearing back, and criticized what she described as chaotic staging choices—saying some visuals shown in promotional material didn’t match what appeared on stage.
Viewers describe a “cheap and tacky” production
Reports said audience members left at different points throughout the performance, with some describing the look and feel as low-budget.
Tracie Ross, a theater producer from nearby Bolton, said the show opened without the kind of introduction she expected and didn’t land from the start. She also criticized the costumes and a moment during the tornado sequence where performers reportedly entered the crowd and used water guns.
“After 15 minutes I left,” she said.
Another attendee, Liam Hopkins, said the marketing heavily shaped his expectations—particularly the suggestion of a cirque-style experience—and that the performance didn’t deliver on that impression.
“When something is sold that way, you expect to be blown away… not sitting there with your head in your hands wondering what you’re watching,” he said.
Complaints spread online
The backlash appears to have grown beyond the arena. Disappointed resellers reportedly created a Facebook group about the show, which has been staged in multiple cities across the UK.
One attendee claimed they successfully pursued a credit card chargeback, arguing the performance was “miss-sold” and not as advertised, and also alleging it included content they felt was inappropriate for children.
Producers push back and defend the show
A spokesperson for The World’s Biggest Productions, which produced the show, said the production opened in Blackpool in October to what they described as a strong response.
They said the promotional videos featured acts that were included in the Manchester performance, using footage from workshop rehearsals or live shows in Blackpool. The spokesperson also argued the branding made it clear the format was closer to pantomime mixed with circus rather than a pure cirque production, pointing to descriptors such as “cirque spectacular” and “panto meets cirque.”
They also highlighted the credentials of the performers, saying six circus cast members won silver medals at European circus festivals this year.
The spokesperson added that the production was never presented as Cirque du Soleil, and suggested a comparison of ticket prices should have tempered expectations about production scale—claiming it would be unrealistic to expect the same level of staging.
Finally, they defended the humor, noting that pantomime traditionally includes silly jokes and arguing that a small minority of negative reactions can skew perception against the larger audience that enjoys the style.
