The Wizard of Oz the Panto!

If you thought it wasn't possible to convert this timeless motion picture into a pantomime - think again!  The writer, Alex Jackson, has done just that in his version of ''The Wizard of Oz, the Pantomime' - and what a brilliant piece of comedy theatre he has created!

Whitkirk embraced this different concept with gusto - all the well-known characters were there but with a twist and the production was cleverly directed by Keeley Row in her debut directorship!

Introducing the proceedings was, of course, the Good Fairy, Glinda, the golden girl of Oz, played impeccably by Louise Norbury-Hall with strong vocals, characterisation and stage presence. We then went back to the 'Kansas' scene - here we met Dorothy, played sweetly by Laura Harvey - Laura maintained a perfect Mid-Western American accent throughout, very much in the Judy Garland mould. I have to say, I was a little confused when the rest of the cast spoke with varying accents, either Yorkshire or received pronunciation (posh!) but, heigh-ho, this is pantomime, remember!

The storyline followed pretty much as the film. The Dame, in the shape of Auntie Em, was played to perfection by Andrew Brown - his command of the stage and interaction with the audience was superb - his costume and make-up immaculate and comic timing perfect.

Of course, the 'twister' came - with excellent effects, voice-over and weather reports. Dorothy lands in Oz and meets the 'Munchkins' - all adults who reacted wonderfully to the 'newcomer' - Glinda then told Dorothy and Auntie Em (who had flown to Oz with Dorothy - keep up, please!) to, you guessed it, 'Follow the Yellow Brick Road'!

We then met the Scarecrow, played by Emma Thomson, surrounded by crows (effective masks here). It was lovely to see Emma use her comic talents along with her beautiful voice. Anna Deane played the Tin Man with charm and excellent diction - I must mention here the excellent make-up and costume, not only for Anna but the cast in general. Then, the children's favourite, Cowardly Lion joins them, played very well by Michael Eliot Hall - he was so shy that at times his dialogue was almost lost, but with the 'aahs' from the audience, not a problem here! 

We couldn't forget the Wicked Witch of the West, played very strongly by Frankie Lakin - looking gorgeous and lapping up all the 'boos' from the audience in her quest to get Dorothy's Ruby Slippers!

On her travels, Dorothy and her friends have to contend wth the Flying Monkeys, the Wicked Witch's loyal servants played by Sarah-Louise Martin, Charlotte Stenhouse and Nichola Taberner - they were loved by the audience for their cheekiness and physical stunts. Also helping the Wicked Witch were the Witch's Guards - Beth Henderson-Clark, Mia Rayson Regan, Sophie Rumbold and Claire Norbury-Hall - now, they were supposed to be 'tall & grim' - but were basically hopeless - excellent characters and dancers!

Finally, Dorothy and her friends get to meet the Wizard of Oz, played here by Mattthew Jackson very well (and with an American accent!). We all know what happens next - the Wicked Witch has been exterminated with water pistols but the Wizard isn't all he's cracked up to be - however, he promised to take them all 'home' in his hot air balloon! Dorothy assures Scarecrow he has a brain, the Tin Man has a heart and the Lion is brave again!

Once again, Louise Norbury-Hall was the Musical Director and apart from the excellent singing from the cast, she had chosen some lovely music for the show. Of course, none of the original music was allowed to be used, but Louise had intergrated different music with the story. It was modern and tuneful. I particularly enjoyed a totally different verion of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' - Very poignant, Choreography was in the talented hands (and feet) of Charlotte Jackson, Frankie Lakin, Claire Norbury-Hall and Nichola Taberner.

WAG has a very proud reputation for its excellent Ensemble - this tireless bunch of actors always support the principal cast with energy and enthusiasm: Kate Bentley, Emma Cassells, Charlotte Jackson, Nick Jackson, Judy Harberd, Ann-Marie Mallinson, Sam Rawlings, Helen Thomson and Scarlett Walker.

Behind the scenes, but always top-notch, were Lynne Bigland, Stage Manager, with her crew, Tim Bigland, Jason Robinson and Keith Speight. Those twin creatives, Chris Beardwell and Dan Dainter provided sound and lighting - no missed cues, well done. Claire Jackson was responsible for the excellent costumes - no credit for make-up but as I have said previously, all of the highest standard, Excellent publicity from Kate Bentley.

This was indeed a pantomime of the highest standard, well directed - confirmed by an ear-spliting audience of Brownies, who screamed their way through the performance - but what a fitting testament to a wonderful evening spent with Dorothy and the Land of Oz - those ruby slippers were truly magical - there's no place like home but theatre is a second home for so many!!

My sincere congratulations to you all!

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