The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Although the story is well-known, this particular version is another piece of home-made entertainment from this group, the writer and Producer having gone back to the original book on which to base the story.   All the usual characters are there, led by Emma Money as a delightful Dorothy who even discovers a love interest in the shape of farm-hand Hank, whilst the role of Aunt Em is expanded so as to become the traditional pantomime Dame.  Lucas Fawcett and Mike Hall made the most of these roles and the opportunity which they provided to become involved with members of the audience.  As Bert and Ernie, henchmen for the Wicked Witch, Jane Taylor and Joanne Johnson were responsible for more of the fun, including a slapstick scene in the best pantomime tradition. Scarecrow, Tin man and Lion were all well played and eventually we meet the Wizard himself, a character who may well have relatives in Avenue Q but, thankfully, a somewhat better vocabulary. 

I was rather puzzled that the costume for Toto, Dorothy’s faithful canine pal, made the character look more like a cat when only two years ago the Society had used an excellent costume for a dog. Animal costumes used by various members of the chorus were more effective.  As I mentioned last year, the musical backing tracks were not sympathetic to the needs of the singers and it was often difficult to hear their words in spite of the microphones they were using. 

The cast, as always, displayed great enthusiasm and many local charities will benefit from their efforts.  This production is often the first outing of the New Year for many, myself included, to the extent that we do not consider the year to have started properly until we can say, as many of the audience did, that “It’s behind you”!           

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