The Wizard of OZ

There was a buzz of anticipation in the Hall as many children settled in to watch the Friday afternoon performance of The Wizard of Oz.  This is a technically difficult show and a great deal of thought had gone into the staging and lighting on this difficult stage.  There were interesting backcloths, well-painted scenery and appropriate furniture and props. There were two raised areas one on each side of the stage; the on SL was set permanently with a throne and the other was bare.  A walkway had been created around the orchestra, which became ‘The Yellow Brick Road’.  The combination of well-painted backcloths, projections, special effects, furniture and scenery took us to all the various locations.  The costumes had been carefully chosen with those in Munchkinland very colourful and exotic, the use of glitzy red dresses for the poppies was a nice touch.  The make up and hairstyles all added to the show.  Although the Cowardly Lion did not have a ‘full’ lions costume it worked well, and I liked the ‘badges’, which linked the Kansas farm hands to the characters in Oz.  Well-designed lighting helped add atmosphere to many scenes such as brightness for the cornfield, and mystery in the Wild Forest and Witch’s Castle.  The walkway in front of the musicians was well lit enabling scene changes to happen on the main stage without stopping the action.  The arrival and departure of Glinda on her swing was a nice surprise and there were one or two WOWS from some of the children.

Choreographer Julia Edwards had devised interesting routines, which suited the show and the cast, but some of them such as, ‘The Jitterbug’, were a bit long and the audience became restless, but this is a fault of the writing.  Everyone looked confident in their movements, and I liked the ’tree’ dance.

Musical Director Stephanie Harrison had obviously worked hard with the cast to recreate the well-known music of Oz.  Everything was well sung with good diction.  The musicians were well controlled and there was a good sound balance between instruments and voices.

This show has challenges for many of the cast as they take on dual roles as their Kansas characters and those in Oz, with the basic characteristics such as kindness or vindictiveness remaining but magnified in Oz.  All those taking dual roles succeeded in meeting the challenge.  The show had been well cast Nadia Murphy as Dorothy, delivered this iconic role with confidence, her singing, dancing and acting were good throughout.  Steph Griffiths in the dual roles of Aunt Em and Glinda showed good character definition in both roles.  She flew in gracefully and was every child’s expectation of a Fairy Godmother.  Peter Berry brought out the more bossy side as the Emerald City Guard.  Joanna Hachani was vindictive as Miss Gulch and obviously delighted in developing into the truly Wicked Witch of the West.  Mark Collins as Zeke was kindly to Dorothy, and embraced the role of Cowardly Lion giving a performance the children enjoyed.  Richard Prior as Hickory and Tinman, had developed a stiffness of movement which was believable and well maintained in his dance.  Marvin Harris as Hunk and Scarecrow had some lovely movements when he came down from his pole and tried to walk, he was extremely flexible, I hope he did not hurt himself with all those falls.  Professor Marvel and The Wizard are the two characters most closely involved in Dorothy’s return home, both pretending to have powers they do not posses, they were both well played by David Wrench.  All other members of the cast strongly supported the principals.  The Munchkin Officials and Guild Representatives, Winkies and flying monkey all adding to the story; I loved the crows with attitude, and angry apple trees.  The young people in the show were all well disciplined and enthusiastic, working well together with the adults.  Last but not least I must mention Maisie, as Toto, Dorothy’s beloved dog, who behaved beautifully throughout and clearly enjoyed the sausages.

Director Heather Collins had obviously put a great deal of thought into how the performance space could be used to full advantage, with action in the auditorium and the front of the stage while scene changes happened at the back to keep the pace going.  There were some lovely moments as when the young Munchkins ‘revealed’ The Yellow Brick Road and the ‘melting of the Witch.  Everyone in all areas had worked well together as a team to create this enjoyable production

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