The Wizard of Oz

This well known and well loved tale is always a delight and the strong cast at Seaford gave all they had to make this innovative production entertaining and great fun, with good use of effects, including snow - which, had it been the real stuff, would have been very welcome on a hot summer's afternoon! 

The extended stage gave a lot more room for the action with the band placed behind the scenes, MD Russell Taylor and his musicians giving great support at all times.

There are so many characters in this story and all told the tale with clarity and relish. Charlie Day gave us a determined Dorothy with a great voice and acting ability, accompanied by Toto her dog who was played by Alfie - a real canine charmer who was with Dorothy for most of the time and was never once fazed by what was going on around him.  Aunt Em and Glinda the Good Witch of the North were played by Joanne Salter who gave both characters all that was necessary, as did Martin Holder as Uncle Henry and the Emerald City Guard. 

Then we come to Dorothy's companions on the journey to the Emerald City - always such scope for acting in these parts and Shar Turnbull (Cowardly Lion), Josh Henry (Tin Man) and Mick Rowe-Hurst (Scarecrow) took every opporunity to make us love these characers who were all searching for something they really wanted. These three were, of course the farm hands as well (Zeke, Hickory and Hunk) right at the beginning when the twister struck.  Stephanie Verrall was definitely the baddie in two guises - Miss Almira Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West and she gave both characters all the wickedness and nastiness that was required and Professor Marvel and the Wizard of Oz were both played by Tony Betts with aplomb.  All the other parts, including the Ensemble, added much to the action with everyone in good voice and moving very well indeed. So much is also done backstage and all involved are to be congratulated for another lovely show and special thanks must go to Director, MD and Choreographer for pulling it altogether.  A very enjoyable afternoon.

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