The Wizard of Oz

It’s always a pleasure to visit Centre Stage Company. We were warmly greeted by the producer with our tickets and it was also good to be able to have a brief word with the Director, MD and Choreographer before curtain up.  Interval drinks having been kindly ordered for us, we settled into our seats as the auditorium filled with adults and children all eager to see the adventures of Dorothy and her friends as they make their way to the Emerald City.

The society had chosen to perform the RSC version which aims to replicate the original screen version a far as is possible. The projected scenery worked really well, going from faded out tones to colour as Dorothy and her dog Toto (a very well behaved Pippa) are transported to the Emerald City in the Land of Oz.  One by one Dorothy meets the three characters who will accompany her on her journey along the Yellow Brick Road, each being an incarnation of either Hunk, Hickory or Zeke, from her life in Kansas; a life from which she is trying to escape when a storm hits.

A large cast of approximately 40 adults and children were further enhanced by the off stage choir, seated in the pit due, I was told, to space limitations off stage and I think this arrangement worked well. A mention here of how smart the chorus and orchestra looked, dressed in black with emerald green ties for the gents, and emerald green scarves for the ladies. A nice touch.

Heading up the cast was Faye Dower as Dorothy and what a lovely performance by this young actress.  She has a very strong singing voice which really did justice to her vocals including of course the iconic “Over the Rainbow”.

Dorothy is joined on her journey down the Yellow Brick Road by Scarecrow (Hunk), a strong performance by Cian Harriss stumbling around after being released from his pole, trying unsuccessfully to stay on his feet before finally making it.  Tinman (Hickory) was well played by James Player, reacting convincingly to the effects of a few drops of oil and walking around with just the right amount of stiffness. Jason Andre as Lion/Zeke had us all feeling sorry for him as he tried in vain not to be afraid.

Of the other principals, Billie Allen made a lovely Glinda and Jackie Parker and Andy Letcher were well cast as Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. A good performance by Alan Barney as the guard and Graeme Johnston was suitably scary as the Wizard as was Sam Barker as Wicked Witch of the West, complete with hooked nose.

The large team of well drilled juniors with Oliver Reid as Mayor, Chloe Ann Martin, Coroner and Marley Donaldson, Barrister were very well rehearsed and all performed well.

This show moved at a cracking pace and there were so many lovely scenes, one example being the fields of poppies, with the chorus dressed as poppies and reversing their capes to white when the snow came.   The director had made good use of the large stage and the terrific choreography really took this production to a different level.  Dance moves were slick and well executed, Jitterbug being a real highlight with lead dancer Edie Clark (Jitterbug) performing some quite amazing moves, partnered by Cian Harriss.

Costumes were good as was make-up, one of the best examples being Wicked Witch of the West. The tech team produced some amazing lighting effects, which at times were quite breathtaking. The orchestra under the direction of Karen Chinery provided excellent accompaniment as always.

This was a fast paced production with great musical numbers and loads of movement. Glancing through the long Crew list in the programme, it’s obvious that, in the true spirit of community theatre, this was a real labour of love by so many people.

I really enjoyed this production.  Very well done to all involved and thank you for inviting me.

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