The Wizard of Oz

Ribchester Amateur Theatre Society (RATS) celebrated an impressive milestone with their 200th production, presenting a lively pantomime version of The Wizard of Oz at Ribchester Village Hall.

From the moment I arrived, the sense of community was unmistakable. Posters could be seen on lampposts and in windows throughout the village, and families were making their way towards the hall for the afternoon matinee. Once inside, the buzz of conversation and the rustling of sweet wrappers created that familiar and comforting theatre atmosphere. Despite being a matinee performance, the show was completely sold out, with additional seating added. This is a great example of the strong local support for the society and the effective promotion of the production, including the work of Janette Watts in the box office.

Director and Producer Craig and Rebecca gave us a very warm welcome, personally guiding audience members to their seats. The journey to our seats was made even more special as we walked down an illuminated yellow brick road. This was a wonderful touch created by the stage design and build team, Jenny Berry, Jim Green and John Royle, and it immediately added a sense of excitement for both children and adults.

The programme design by Gemma Fergusson at Outhouse Creative was presented to a high standard. It was simple and clear but very effective, reflecting the welcoming spirit of the company. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of graphics from the society’s 1995 production of The Wizard of Oz, which provided a lovely nod to the group’s history.

This pantomime adaptation, written by Manchester playwright Tom Whalley, kept the heart of the original story while adding the humour and audience participation that we expect from a good pantomime. Dorothy’s journey from Kansas to Munchkinland, alongside Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion, was brought to life with plenty of energy as they set off to meet the Wizard of Oz in the hope that he would grant their wishes.

Before the curtain rose, Craig and Rebecca spoke to the audience to thank everyone for their support. They shared a humorous story about last year’s pantomime, when two “extra cast members” appeared on stage, later revealed to have been babies in utero. It was a lovely moment that really captured the friendly and family atmosphere of the society. Their relaxed interaction with the audience helped reinforce that strong sense of community that was present throughout the afternoon.

The directors clearly wanted the audience to feel part of the production, which is exactly what you hope for in pantomime. The yellow brick road doubled as the aisle through the audience and was used well for entrances and exits, helping to keep the audience involved in the action.

The energy of the cast remained high throughout the performance. At times, a little more refinement in stage positioning and movement could strengthen some scenes. There were moments when frequent movement reduced the visual impact, and sometimes a moment of stillness can help draw focus to key lines or reactions.

Rebecca also took on the role of choreographer alongside her directing and producing responsibilities, as well as appearing in a memorable cameo during the “melon tree” scene, which certainly raised plenty of laughs from the audience. With so many responsibilities it is understandable that the choreography did not always reach the same standard as other elements. Some routines relied on repeated side-to-side movements and there were a few occasions where the ensemble appeared slightly out of sync. With additional rehearsal time or choreographic support, these moments could easily become highlights, particularly as the show includes enthusiastic young performers and several opportunities for larger ensemble numbers.

Emili Peake gave a warm and sincere performance as Dorothy. Her gentle vocal tone worked well in both dialogue and singing, and her plaited hairstyle was a lovely nod to Judy Garland’s iconic portrayal.

Cosmo Draper-Guard’s Tin Man showed strong physical characterisation. His ability to hold his frozen position when first revealed in his rusted state was particularly effective and held the attention of the audience.

Julie Hesketh played the Cowardly Lion with great expression and warmth. Her facial expressions and physical gestures made us fully believe in her search for courage and she quickly gained the sympathy of the audience.

Finlay Hart was a standout as the Scarecrow. Clearly taking on the traditional “Buttons” role within the pantomime, he remained fully in character throughout and demonstrated excellent improvisation skills when responding to comments from younger audience members.

Hannah Murray clearly enjoyed every moment as the Wicked Witch of the West. Her shrieking laugh and villainous energy encouraged plenty of enthusiastic boos from the audience. Her ability to interact with members of the audience by name also added to the local community feel.

Lisa Loyd, as Glinda the Good, performed much of her role from a raised platform which helped set her apart visually from the main action on stage. She played the role with confidence and her vocal tone suited the character well. There were a few moments where reliance on the script was visible, but this was cleverly disguised through the use of a beautifully decorated book bearing her name. It was a practical and effective solution. Special mention should also go to Claire Davies and Tracey Lloyd for their excellent on-stage support and work with props.

Oscar Hart, Jay Mason and Willow Riley-Wheatcroft as Hickory, Dickory and Doc showed great promise and clearly represent the next generation of performers within the society.

Scarlett Bateman and Sophia Watkinson-Barnes were particularly popular with the younger members of the audience as the mischievous monkeys. Their costumes and make-up were excellent and their strong synchronisation showed that these roles had been very well rehearsed.

Ornella Bushell-Kinder embraced the challenge of playing Uncle Henry and used thoughtful characterisation and body language to establish the role. There were a few moments where the beard needed adjusting, which became slightly distracting. A more secure application or a stylised alternative might help avoid this in future.

The chorus of Rebecca Tyson, Poppy Robinson, Willow Fergusson, Maybe Sidey, Isabelle Sidey and Georgia Greenbank brought enthusiasm and energy to their various roles throughout the show.

A particularly enjoyable moment involved the three trees, played by Sue McConkey, Rebecca Soper and Sophie Tyson. The scene included plenty of playful innuendo and the performers managed to maintain impressive composure while the audience clearly enjoyed the humour.

The staging was simple but effective, with painted wings and backdrops that helped establish each setting clearly. In a compact village hall space the team made very good use of the stage area available. For a venue of this size the lighting was also very effective. While there were no elaborate effects or moving fixtures, the thoughtful use of colour helped define mood and location throughout the performance. It was a reminder that simple, well-planned lighting can be just as effective.

Reaching a 200th production is a remarkable achievement and reflects the dedication and commitment of Ribchester Amateur Theatre Society over many years. Milestones such as this represent the hard work of countless members, both past and present.

Overall this was community theatre at its finest. It was lovely to see a whole village coming together to create a family-friendly pantomime that clearly meant so much to everyone involved. From the cast and production team to the volunteers working behind the scenes and front of house, this was a genuine collective effort.

Productions like this remind us why amateur theatre is so important. It brings people together, encourages new talent and creates lasting memories for performers and audiences alike. Congratulations to everyone involved on reaching this impressive milestone and delivering a production that celebrated both performance and community spirit.

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