Wizard of Oz
Information
- Date
- 19th December 2014
- Society
- Campaign Amateur Theatre
- Venue
- Needham Hall City of Ely College
- Type of Production
- Musical
- Director
- Becky Green
- Musical Director
- Maria McElroy
- Choreographer
- Becky Green
Based on the famous film this stage version of The Wizard of Oz was an excellent choice by CAT for their December show, which made full use of the young members of the society.
This must be the most colourful production I have seen in 2014. Splendid costumes, impressive make-up and wigs plus colourful projected backdrops. The large items of moveable scenery multi-tasked and I loved the giant flowers.
Technically Needhams Hall is a difficult venue given the huge width but shallow depth of the stage. However, this was made full use of with an added thrust stage built out into the audience. I did find this off putting and inwardly questioned whether it was really necessary.
The projected settings on the back wall were all cleverly done but I think caused one or two lighting problems. The opening sequence with the storm clouds whizzing by and the twister brewing distracted attention from the action: several times actors found themselves with part of the projection on their faces and it left the front of the stage inadequately lit. Having said that, with the exception of the Jitterbug UV where only the upstage dancers showed up, all the effects worked and great amusement ensued with the reducing spell.
The main principals were a credit to the production. Anastasia Barnes as Dorothy gave a lively and confident performance: Adam Hebbard, made an admirable Scarecrow: Martin Kemp as the Tin Woodman had a good voice and gave a fine performance; Graham Brown as the Cowardly Lion gave a sterling performance and proved a huge favourite with the audience and justly so.
The Wicked Witch of the West Lisa Bushell put in a splendid performance. She had such a fearsome full volumed shriek it gave me concern for her vocal chords at times.
For me however, without wishing to minimise in any way the achievements of anyone else Amy Burrows as the Sorceress of the North shone, in more ways than one. First-class delivery, an absolutely superb singing voice and a good confident performance.
Over the rainbow there was the most endearing set of Munchkins led by Sam Jones as the Munchkin Mayor, and they all worked very well together. All knew their song and dance routines and every one seemed to know what they were doing and did it without the smallest uncertainty. There was a highly amusing scene in the Emerald City where Matthew Buzer as the General and Niamh Kemp as the Private had an opportunity to show us their obvious potential.
Of course with a cast of forty-one plus Starsky Barnes as Toto the dog it is not possible to give all those who deserve one a mention but this cast was a team where each person put in every effort which showed in the end result. The choreography and the chorus work was well rehearsed and executed: the Orchestra under the Musical Direction of Maria McElroy were extremely good and earned well-deserved applause.
I take my hat off to Director/Choreographer Becky Green, this show was a huge undertaking that met with unqualified success. Bravo!
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