The Wiz

At this, my first viewing of “The Wiz”, it was a pleasure to see a contemporary take on the rather overlong “The Wizard of Oz”. 

During a short Prologue we meet Dorothy (Brogan Orkney) expressing to her Aunt Em (Kayla Cotterill) and Uncle Henry (Connor Wright) her wish to experience lands afar.  The confidence shown by these three characters in the opening number certainly augured well for the show to come.

Dorothy is subsequently swept up in a tornado and deposited in Oz, far from her homestead in Kansas, with no friends – not even Toto her dog. On the advice of Addaperle, The Good Witch of the North, Dorothy sets out to find the one person who can return her home – The Wiz (Connor Wright). On the way she joins up with a Scarecrow (Ben Anderson, a Tin Man (Orla Jones) and a Lion (Brodi Orkney). All four acquitted themselves well on the journey to the Emerald City.  With the City just in sight they wander in to a field of poppies – ably portrayed by the dancers in the Company.  These talented dancers also find themselves as Munchkins and Field Mice as required.

Eventually, permitted to enter the Emerald City by the Gatekeeper (Sophie Williams) the four look on in awe at the richly costumed inhabitants during the “Emerald City Ballet”.  Another fine opportunity to show off the skill of the dancers and other members of the chorus.

In Act Two we meet The Wiz himself, followed by Evillene (Adele Ward) and Glinda (Millie Anderson). Mention must be made of the Messenger (Oli Anderson) played with extreme confidence and personality by young Oli!

Generally, all principal vocal work and dialogue was first class – the careful use of radio mic’ing ensuring that all voices were heard in balance with Peter Robinson’s excellent orchestra.  A small group of pit singers occasionally entered to boost backing tracks to some of the numbers.

The show moved well, with speedy scene changes never allowing the pace to flag, and  no requirement for a megamix of numbers to bulk the show out at the end!

Director, Iain Hughes, has managed to extract a wealth of acting ability and enthusiasm from this young cast and, together with clever dance moves by Choreographer (Arlene Anderson) has urged me, once again, to say that the current state of Youth Theatre in Fife is in very safe hands, and that Adult Societies throughout the District should be aware of the excellent talent that is standing by to fill their shoes!

Well done LAMA (Youth)!

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.