The Wizard of Oz

Based on a book from 1900, the familiar version of The Wizard of Oz came to the attention of a wider audience when Meto-Goldwyn-Mayer released the groundbreaking film of the same name, in 1939. Starring Judy Garland in the iconic role of Dorothy, this film and story has stood the test of time and is always a pleasure to watch. Newtown Musical Theatre Company presented a more traditional retelling of the story including all the familiar characters many of us have grown to love.

The stage opened with simple, but effective scenery including a wooden house, fences and a projected image of a dusty road that set the scene of a grey, Kansas day. The director chose a monochrome pallet reflective of the black and white portion of the film. This filtered into the costumes of the characters as the action began. The use of props added perfectly to the story. The cart, the bicycle, and the bale of hay in the opening sequence perfectly transported us to Dorothy’s home. The cart/caravan belonging to Professor Marvel was super and positioned perfectly on the side of the stage. An excellent choice of set and props that gave added impact when the scene changes and the characters arrive in Oz.

The production moved seamlessly into Oz; the spinning house created a focus as the scenery was reset. The change of colours, the fabulous set and the witch’s legs poking out from beneath Dorothy’s house transported the audience to the Land of Oz. This continued throughout with thoughtfully placed props; the yellow brick road and the balloon to mention just a few. The characters were fun and colourful, and the audience was immediately drawn into the story. 

When telling a story that features iconic characters, audiences naturally look for familiar representations. Newtown Musical Theatre Company did not disappoint. They gave their audience traditional representations of all the story’s characters. From the sweet, determined Dorothy to the illusive Wizard all the characters played their part.

Dorothy Gale played by Millie-Grace Williams gave an excellent performance. She understood the character and displayed the range of emotions synonymous with Dorothy and her dilemmas. She embodied the sense of perseverance that Dorothy is known for. Millie-Grace confidently sang a range of songs throughout the production. I particularly enjoyed her rendition of Over the Rainbow. Beautifully performed. 

Brian Morgan-Worley played the scarecrow and Hunk. This was a fabulous portrayal of the scarecrow character. His mannerisms and uncoordinated body movements were superb. Throughout his journey, the scarecrow learns that true capability comes from within. Brian truly brought this character to life and was both convincing and entertaining. An impressive performance Brian, very well-done!

Ollie Orme played the Tinman and Hickory. Another super depiction of the character and his search for a heart. The Tinman displays compassion and sensitivity and finally realises he does not have to have a physical, human heart to be able to sympathise and empathise with those around him. A lovely performance by Ollie.

Gareth McMurdo played the Cowardly Lion and Zeke. Gareth stepped into this role at the last minute and must be congratulated for his believable and entertaining performance. 

Chris Clarke gave us a lovely portrayal of Dorothy’s Aunt Em and the good witch Glinda. This character is a gentle yet reassuring presence in Dorothy’s world and was played beautifully by this actor. 

Mike Clarke played Uncle Henry and an Oz guard. He was charming and strong in his depiction of both characters. Mike had a good stage presence and was a pleasure to watch.

Justine Nelson played Almira Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West. This is a delightfully wicked character to play and Justine did her justice. Her unkindness towards Dorothy and Toto at the beginning was just enough to establish her position of baddie in the production. Justine’s portrayal of the Witch added another dimension to the story. A super performance Justine.

Andrew Bond took on the roles of Professor Marvel and the Wizard of Oz, delivering a delightful and entertaining performance. The part itself is inherently fun, and Andrew presented it in a manner that captured its playful spirit. The quirkiness of both Professor Marvel and the Wizard was evident throughout. Andrew highlighted their worldly wisdom, setting them apart from the other characters in the production. An engaging interpretation of these roles.

This show boasted a full ensemble that supported the production throughout. The Munchkins and the Mayor, the residents of the Emerald City, the synchronised guards and those that lived in the Haunted Forest all made a valuable contribution. The dedication and enthusiasm of the ensemble was evident in every scene, bringing energy and cohesion to the performance. The crows, apple trees and poppies were delightful and enhanced the scenes in which they appeared. Congratulations to all the members of the ensemble.

It was obvious the cast had worked hard on the choreography and there were many effective dance routines. I particularly liked the Jitterbug routine and the changing of the poppies into snowflakes. The singing throughout was good with standout solo moments from the lead characters. Great work everyone.

The costumes were superb. The use of colour brought this production to life. The greyness at the start contrasted beautifully with the colours of Oz. The crows were remarkably effective as were the poppies; the green wigs and costumes looked terrific. The lead characters looked perfect, and the red shoes were gorgeous! It is clear, that considerable thought and attention was given to the costumes for this production. My congratulations go to the wardrobe team. A fantastic job!

The use of live music was delightful. It is always a pleasure to experience live musicians in a production. Thank you to the band for your contribution.

This society presented us with a super retelling of a much-loved story. While the comments above celebrate the contributions made by the members of this company, I could not finish this review without mentioning Toto. This little dog was a firm favourite with everyone in the building. Toto, played by Dolly, was amazing. She took the whole thing in her stride and made everyone smile! A star indeed!

It is always a pleasure to visit Newtown Musical Theatre Company. They are a super team of people that work together to give their audience a wonderful evening of entertainment. Thank you for inviting me.

I look forward to seeing what this group does next.

 

The views in this report are solely the opinion of the writer.

 

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