The Wizard of Oz

Confession time. How do you get to (a very young-looking) sixty-two without having seen either the film or the stage version of The Wizard of Oz? I don’t know, but somehow I’ve managed it and so came to my first production without any preconceptions. It was a first too for Jo Alldridge – her first time directing the mighty Players, but she brings with her a vast experience of performing, directing and teaching and this is evident from the start.

The set (by SouthScenery) is deceptively simple with a glowing rainbow-like arch used throughout, with trucks as required and projected images. When we arrive in Oz, the most stunning lighting effects are used to lend a really magical quality to the whole production. This is built upon by superbly colourful and imaginative costumes – my particular favourites were the poppies and the apple trees: so clever. Flying was used throughout the show and really added another dimension – I congratulate all who were brave enough to do it and I thought Cara Partridge (Glinda) was particularly courageous, perched on her hoop - her seat belt jarred a little, but I wouldn’t have done it without one!

Characterisation throughout was excellent. Sophie Bratty was perfectly cast as Dorothy, having just the right degree of innocence and sparkiness, and a good singing voice to boot. It’s a pivotal role and she handled it with apparent ease and great confidence.

Jaqueline Willis gave the performance of her life as Miss Gulch and The Wicked Witch of the West. With nastiness and spite oozing from every pore, she soon had the audience booing her, especially when she abducted Toto. The scene where she is melted and disappeared through the floor was very cleverly handled.

All three of Dorothy’s companions gave well observed performances, each quickly gaining the audience’s sympathy. Tony Johnson as The Scarecrow really convinced me that he was made of straw, with his loose-limbed acrobatic tumbling around the stage and dim-witted comments. Even when our attention was elsewhere, he was always completely in character. James Bradbury as the Tin Man impressed from the start, particularly with his jerky movements as he was oiled and brought back to life. Ed Chase as the Cowardly Lion was the absolute epitome of awkwardness and shyness. All three made us root for them, hoping that their wishes would come true when they eventually meet the Wizard.

There were undoubtedly some stars of the future on stage amongst the Munchkins. I had the pleasure of watching the Yellow Team, but I’m sure the Green Team is equally good. All were totally engaged in their scenes, with well-drilled choreography and some beautiful singing both from the soloists and the ensemble as a whole.

The orchestra, ably led by Andrew Woodford, produced exactly the right sound and never outshone the singers, thanks to an excellent sound system. The stage crew, assisted by cast members, worked hard during the scene changes but struggled with one truck in particular. I’m sure this will be smoothed out and speeded up as the week progresses.

Last, but definitely not least, the undoubted star of the show was Charlie who played Toto. He seemed to have an endless supply of patience and a bemused expression on his face as he was passed from person to person, led this way and that and jiggled around in some of the dances. He received the biggest roar from the audience at the end!

The Wizard of Oz is really a story with songs rather than a full-blown musical. It doesn’t have a huge love story at its heart or big song and dance numbers. It is just a simple tale about individual worth with a happy ending, but when it is performed by such a talented company and looks this spectacular,  it is just what we need to give us a great evening’s entertainment and send us home content.

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