The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz as a show is, in my opinion, a charming mixture of musical, pantomime and fairy story and as such St Austin’s Players managed to combine all three aspects, finishing up with an extremely good performance.

Lisa Hambleton, as Dorothy showed class, good dancing skills and a singing voice which excelled in this part.

Her three companions, Scarecrow (John de Tute) Tinman (Luke Woodhouse) and the Cowardly Lion (Joe Greco) worked well together as a team and one must mention the antics of the Scarecrow who at times appeared as if he were really stuffed with straw, such were his rubber legged contortions that he had the audience convulsed with laughter at every entrance.

Liz Marland (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Katy Ryan (the Sorceress of the North) both gave creditable performances showing good stage presence and timing, whilst Jools Greenwood as the Mayor of the Munchkins showed her flair for comedy.

Catherine Barber, the lady who founded the Society, performed a one minute cameo as an outraged lady of the Oz community and stole the scene, showing that she had lost none of her acting skills!

The other members of the cast and chorus were well drilled in their participation with mention going to the members of the Lollipop Guild and the Lullaby League.

Costumes were very colourful and much time had obviously been spent on ensuring that all the cast were well dressed with matching sets for the different groups within the show.

Anthony Channer’s lighting was superb as always, doing justice to the excellent scenery designed and built by Keith Lowe. The dragon purporting to be the Wizard was especially exotic.

Tom Windle and Emma Davies have reason to be pleased with their direction and choreography, they set a high standard on their first connection with the Society.

The chorus and principal singing had been well taught and was of a good standard. However, it was a great pity that on several occasions dialogue was drowned out by an orchestra intent on playing at full volume during these speeches. The musical director, Maria Willis needs to address this problem.

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