The Wizard of Oz

In the words of the song this The Wizard of Oz was ‘Practically Perfect’ in every way. The talented and dedicated production team of Sue Collins, Annie Ford and Samantha Aylott must have worked tirelessly but they were blessed with a cast of young people who gave the show their utmost concentration, convincing performances and sheer talent. They worked determinedly to entertain an enthralled first night audience. Although the first performance had been a matinee earlier that day, that fact in itself was amazing as in the second performance of the day, there was absolutely no indication of fatigue.

The beautiful company costumes each different from the other, were in carefully blended shades of the same main colour, many costumes for different scenes, but my favorites were the blue set for Munchkinland and the green set for the Ozians each gave a quite beautiful overall effect. The costumes for the principals were outstanding, Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion, skillfully created with accessories and makeup to match.

Very clever graphics were projected onto two angled screens on stage suggesting the pages of an open book. There was no need for scenery (a probable impossibility on the Blakehay small stage with no wing space) the composer of the graphics is to be congratulated for his imagination and ability. The Tornado effect with added excellent lighting effects was fabulous. The lighting enhanced the whole production with strong colours, down spots where solo performers always found their light and special effects perfectly on cue. The use of smoke machine / hazer and fallout from the pyrotechnic theatrical flashes was quite overwhelming in the hot theatre but never once interfered with the action or inhibited the performers. The orchestral backing track, presented perfectly on cue, provided excellent accompaniment to the show.

The whole company worked as a team, beautiful talented ballet and company dance routines (over 40 young people in the cast) with excellent and tuneful singing from all. The principals were outstandingly good…. if they are all like this as teenagers imagine their talent in an adult society! An outstanding Dorothy Gale, a ‘Judy Garland look and sing alike’ was Madison Walker, a wonderfully talented athletic dancer and singer was Beth Perrins as the Scarecrow. A beautifully controlled and excellent performance as Tin Man from Hannah Steer and a born comedian who can sing dance and act was Freya Perrins as the Cowardly Lion. Equally outstanding were Bethany Jones and Lottie Elcoate as Glinda and the Wicked Witch of the West respectively. 

The two boys, Jack Walker and Ben Adams as Emerald City Guard/ Uncle Henry and Wizard of Oz/ Professor Marvel were very talented performers with excellent comic timing and a delight to watch.

I absolutely loved this show and wished I could have seen it twice. This recreation of The Wizard of Oz using the ‘RSC Version’ follows almost faithfully the film and is far superior to the old ‘musical version’ and I offer my sincere congratulations and admiration to everyone involved in this production. It was outstanding in every way.

Congratulations Oppitts… how do you follow this?

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