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The Wizard of Oz

Author: Leslie Judd

Information

Date
10th October 2019
Society
Downham Amateur Dramatic Society (DADS)
Venue
Downham Market Town Hall
Type of Production
Musical
Director
Phil Melia
Musical Director
Kathy Philipot
Choreographer
Amy Moulder
Producer
Robert Hornett

It’s always nice to go to a production and be welcomed by faces one knows, even if they weren’t quite sure where my tickets were. We were warmly welcomed by chairman Ken Baxter, wife Jane and by Rob Hornett, escorted to our seats, presented with a programme and offered complimentary drinks in the interval, thank you Rob.

We settled into our seats in the front row to see that the stage had been extended out into the body of the hall which allowed a much larger performance space, this had also been stepped down in the middle providing performance space at different levels which was used to effect throughout the show. It also allowed the whole audience to see the yellow brick road which was provided by a GoBo throwing the pattern of yellow bricks onto these lowered areas. The one issue I had with being so close to the stage was that when the whole stage was being used, I couldn’t see the whole performance, as I didn’t know whether to look left, right or centre and I wanted to see it all.

I don’t need to relate the story, we all know it so well, however this production was the RSC version which has Dorothy visiting the ‘fortune telling’ of Professor Marvel and his talents! The show opened with Toto scurrying across the stage quickly followed by Dorothy before she came out to sing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. Amy Power really shone as Dorothy, with her powerful, clear singing, a lovely singer and a great speaking voice, this is the key role as her character binds the whole show together introducing all the wonderful characters that inhabit the land of Oz and leading them all the way through until to her return to Kansas. A great portrayal of a young girl who finds herself at times vulnerable, defiant, loving, caring and wondering, all these emotions were wonderfully displayed and although I have known Amy for some time, she was only ever Dorothy in this show, a really great performance. She showed a great bond not only with Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion, but also with Toto.

Well Sweep, they say you should never act with animals and children, perhaps you should never act with humans, they might steal the show. They might also be tempted to feed you too many titbits so that want them rather than acting. You only showed one bit of stage fright when you were forcefully pushed on stage, you never got a line wrong, you were able to freely roam the stage, as far as your lead would allow you and you allowed all sorts of people to pick you up, carry you around and even dognap you.

Farmhand Hunk, played by Wesley Harper becomes the Scarecrow, a role which he seemed a natural fit for, despite his billowing ginger hair which made me think initially he might be Lion. From the moment he was released from his scarecrow post in the corn field he fell about very convincingly and brainlessly. Farmhand Hickory, played by Dale Hornsby becomes the Tin Man without a heart, from the opening of his croaky mouth and the releasing of his rusted joints he came truly alive. Finally, Brian Reeve Hayes portrayed Farmhand Zeke who of course turns out to be Lion and performed his role as ‘Bravely’ as possible. It would be unfair to name one of these three above the others, their portrayals of these three fantasy characters was first rate, their boundless energy on stage, their camaraderie shone through, their singing and dialogue was first rate, their costumes and make-up were excellent, such a shame that they had to remove their make-up and return as farmhands in the final scene before the curtain call. Their individual ‘If I only had a….’ songs with Dorothy were a treat and the final shot of act one where the three of them and Dorothy turned and faced the Emerald City lit on the backdrop by a spotlight was magic.

Supporting these four were Megan Abbott who played both a very convincing Aunt Em and then the Good Witch Glinda, she firstly had an effective American accent and using her clear singing voice would have been every boys imagination of a beautiful good witch, her singing could be heard as good support elsewhere and she obviously loved being a tree. The Wizard of Oz gave Director Phil Melia the opportunity to shine in Green and as Professor Marvel to try his hand at trickery, two confident performances of different characters, really showing the insecurity of the balloonist who had arrived in Oz by mistake and wanted to get back. He was however outshone in black by his wife Sarah who had everyone wanting to boo and hiss this very convincing Wicked Witch. Sarah had been so prim as the awful Miss Gulch, but she had a cackle and a confidence as the Wicked Witch to chill the heart of anyone who came between her and the Ruby Slippers and commanded the stage with her portrayal, such a horrible witch. Well done indeed, I just wanted to Boo you, you dissolved wonderfully at the end of your reign. Finally, we had Stafford Fomes as Uncle Henry and the City Guard who seemed a little hesitant shall we say.

No Musical is complete without its chorus and here there was little for the adult Company to do, however they did look more than a little fearsome when dressed as the well drilled Ozian Guards. I said earlier that perhaps you should never act with Animals or Children, but I have to say that children in this production were very good, they had been well drilled with both their singing and their dancing, they were disciplined on stage, those with dialogue were confident and spoke clearly – Toby, Alice and Harriet. The three crows – Anna, Chloe and Lee were great fun. The Jitterbugs – Anna, Alice, Grace, Lee, Sam, Sarah and Amy clearly enjoyed themselves and were well taught by Amy and benefitted from the experience of Sarah. Well done to all the children including Evan and Tash you were great, keep it up, the enthusiasm, the energy and the smiling.

If there was any criticism it would be the delayed start, the scene changes and the lack of scene change music early on, but I am sure you overcame this.

This was a delightful production, with very good sets, the Munchkin Land in particular was full of colour, The Poppy field with the umbrellas and then the snowflakes, quick changes for all, the Witches Castle, Congratulations on the number of amazing costumes and props, the makeup, and  the Lighting design and sound provided by Jamie Robinson. Congratulations to Amy Moulder for your Choreography and to Vocal Director Kathy Philipot

This show ran on the hard work of the behind the scenes crew so congratulations to Director Phil Melia, Producer Robert Hornett and the whole company for a lovely evenings entertainment. Well Done

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