The Wizard of Oz

I had the privilege yet again of visiting Oldbury Rep to see the performance of The Wizard of Oz being performed as a pantomime. 

There were only 13 actors 12 on stage and 1 in the wings being the voice of Toto the dog. 

For a small company the performances outshine the number of actors on stage. Everyone contributed whole heartedly into the spirit of their performance. Each complimenting one another. It was team work at its best. 

What did help as well were the costumes used, from the audience’s view they were professional and certainly gave an authentic look to each character. I loved the costumes used in A Brand New Day.  Yet again Aunt Em played by Ian Thompson had a number of changes how his dresser keeps up with him I don’t know. Charlie Bland, Tim Ward and Chris Smith, (Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion) were excellent supporting characters to Dorothy played by Natalie Forbes-Moore, the four of them working well as a group. Toni Bird certainly performed her role as a wicked witch aided by Eve Pitt as the monkey. The supporting roles of the Munchkins and the ghost played by Pamela Green, Jenny Gordon-Redmond, Lynn Roberts and Matt Turner with Matt also undertaking the role of the ghost. 

The Company had been given permission perform When You’re Evil and Toni Bird, as the Wicked Witch of the West, certainly did justice to the song and why it was great that this permission had been granted.

I did not ask the question at the end but perhaps I should have whether they all did their own make up or had help because they certainly looked professional. 

The performance was under the direction of Sandra Bird aided by John Barber as Musical Director and Natalie Forbes-Moore as Choreographer, Stage Manager Diane Careless. 

Asides in the script were great and much appreciated by the audience.

The digital backdrops worked really well and I liked the way the Wizard’s eyes lit up on the screen. Also there was an effective use of the violin .

Scene changes were done well and there was effective use of very limited floor space. 

Oldbury are fortunate in that they have a large group of very talented backstage helpers sound, lighting, set builds who help bring experience to each of these areas that are sometimes not found elsewhere. So, congratulations to all. 

Thanks yet again for the invite it is always a pleasure to come

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.