The Wizard of Oz a Pantomimime
Information
- Date
- 16th February 2023
- Society
- Bunbury Players
- Venue
- Jubilee Centre, Mildenhall
- Type of Production
- Pantomime
- Director
- Darren Mather
- Musical Director
- Will Cahill
- Choreographer
- Chloe Gilbert, Mandy Morrish & Alisha Darkins
- Producer
- Darren Mather
- Written By
- Tom Whalley
The Bunbury Players’ panto this year was Tom Whalley’s pantomime inspired by the novel by L Frank Baum The Wizard of Oz. All the well-known characters were there as was the basic story but with added traditional panto elements.
This show also had the the two things which create a successful panto — energy and attack. With lovely colourful backdrops and costumes plus excellent lighting. Props were great and the farmhouse spinning in the twister was impressive. From the opening number you could tell this was going to be a good show. Musical Director Will Cahill had done well with the vocal talents bringing out some nice harmonies and one of my very favourite songs Over the Rainbow was beautiful with the cast’s signing adding that little emotive extra. The trio of Choreographers Chloe Gilbert, Mandy Morrish & Alisha Darkins must have been well pleased with the way the cast skilfully carried out their routines.
In Kansas we had some really enjoyable performances from Aunt Em (Karen Humphreys) and Uncle Henry (Randy Borden), Hickory, Dickory and Doc (Joshua Humphreys, Jo Ward and Bryony Hewitt), Ms Gulch (Louise Cywinski) and adding the “Aah” factor the well behaved dog Toto played by Luna.
The main principals were a credit to the production. Emily Smith led from the front as Dorothy both in Kansas and Over the Rainbow. She has a fine voice and great stage presence. Dylan Watkins did a grand job, he has a good delivery and made an excellent and energetic Scarecrow: Carrie Parsons as the Tin Man gave a fine performance; Matt Darkins as the Cowardly Lion gave a sterling performance and proved a favourite with the audience and Alex Parsons was really cute as Toto yapping in all the right places.. Then we had Glinda the Good or rather Harrison Southgate in a glorious sparkly frock —well it is panto. Glinda proved a huge hit with the audience.
The Wicked Witch of the West Mandy Morrish put in a splendid performance. She had a fearsome shriek which garnered her plenty of the requisite boos. Amy Cahill as Winkie the Chief of the flying monkeys and the Wicked Witch of the West’s right hand primate added an extra bit of nastiness.
The Ensemble players Christopher Humphreys, Kaylee Harrington, Liana Barnard and Mariah Stewart were all kept busy as farmhands, munchkins and Ozians. They augmented the adult chorus well. The scary Wizard of Oz (Will Cahill) turned out to be quite friendly and all ended happily with Dorothy back in Kansas with Aunt Em, Uncle Henry and the four-legged Toto.
Congratulations Director Darren Mather, MD Will Cahill the cast and backstage crew. This was a splendid production with a most talented and energetic cast who brought a huge amount of enjoyment to the audiences in the full houses the show enjoyed. Thank you for inviting me. Best wishes to all The Bunbury Players as they begin their 50th anniversary year celebrations.
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