Wizard of OZ

Following the "Yellow brick road" from my entrance of the Brook Theatre, and on entering the auditorium I was transfixed, on its transformation. My mouth dropped open and I thought to myself well done Gillingham !!! this is going to be something different. I'm still reeling from my experience at 'The Wizard of Oz' .My programme, once again smartly designed by Rebecca Lehmann, was shaking with excitement.

What a wonderfully directed piece of work in all the elements, Debbie Brennan you should be very proud of yourself indeed. You took your cast to the highest limits of amateur theatre directing them very professionally both in staging and direction.

Lauren Basset a young 17 year old took on the lead of Dorothy Gale and played it with such professionalism, perfect characterisation, both in singing and acting, and also having to cope with a very sleepy dog(Kobe Small) bless him. Well done Lauren. Lauren was teamed with 3 guys that working there socks in the roles of Scarecrow/Lion/and Tin man..(Glenn Atkinson) as scarecrow, I was beginning to think he was made of rubber superb in his portrayal, as was (Grant Baker) in his camp characterisation of the Lion who needs to conquer cowardice and (John Endicott) as the rusty old tin man with no heart, so convincing he had us sobbing. Jayne Stuart captured the right amount of evilness as the Wicked Witch of the West and not a boo was heard, this showed she played it perfectly as well as riding a bicycle. Glinda (Rebecca Lehmann) on the other hand looked stunning and  gave us a quality performance. Tarquin Flanagan made a adequate Professor and Wizard.

Tthe cameo players were all perfect in their casting Aunt Em (Claire Thurston) Uncle Henry (Chas Alder) Bill Law, Gerald Flanagan,Larry David,and Emilo Neita gave us a powerful Guard. The 3 trees Hanna Glover,Rae Hume,Nicole Gillespie gave us comedy with their 'Supreme' type diva characters. The munchkins and younger dancers were well trained and choreographed to their abilities by Kayleigh Carina.  

Daniel Stocking's  stage crew gave us swift set changing making this Oz speed along and lighting by the Brook staff was spot on. Projected imagery onto back screening brought the stage settings alive. Wonderfully inventive. Costumes and shoes were colourful and in period. Musical Direction under the batons of Brian Skinner and Peter Bailey was  tight and audibly load enough, as were the "Vocal Minority" Debbie Brennan Kathryn Norman and Jo Clements, with these, and the orchestra together the sound was perfect.

I cannot heap enough praise on this production, everything about it was solid in every way, and with Debbie Brennan being at the helm it showed, good teamwork and camaraderie within the cast. Debbie you gave us the show that has changed the way shows should be directed in Medway.

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