With strong identifiable lead characters, a high standard of music and amazing props and effects, the familiar story of Dorothy, her newly acquired friends and their adventures unfolded grippingly.
Dorothy (played by Ruth Sliwinski) with Judy-Garland-like appeal was indeed the little girl from Kansas caught up in a whirlwind of events. Her dog Toto (Andriy Avramenko), was very much a little dog bringing many a titter from the audience with such doggy antics. Scarecrow (Henry Golding-Fuller) and his search for a brain caught our sympathy immediately and his constant concern for the fragility of his straw-filled body was convincingly portrayed. Tin Man (Sam Graham) displayed fantastic stage movements with amazing feats of agility and we did indeed believe in his quest for a heart. One of the best characters was undoubtedly Lion (Jack Riordan) whose voice control, pace and tremulous retorts vitalized events considerably. The witches contrasted well with the Good Witch of the North (Amelia Harringtom) and her Irish eccentricity providing a strong rebuff to the very rapid screeches of the Wicked Witch of the West (Alex South).
A fine array of other characters contributed to events magnificently: Aunt Em (Amelia Harringtom), Uncle Henry / Emerald City Guard (Lawrence Perkins), Zeke (William Gould), Hickory (Kieran Zausmer), Hunk (Harry Ixer), Miss Almira Gulch (Lizzie East), Professor Chester Marvel / Wizard of OZ (Tom Fitzer), Mayor of Oz / Winkie General (Oliver Hill), Coroner (Robert Atkinson), Barrister (Andrew Hewitt) as well as a fine collection of: 2 City Fathers, 3 Tots, 3 Tough Guys, Crows, Trees, , Beauticians, Commander of the Monkeys, Polishers, Manicurists, Munchkins, Ozians, Jitterbugs and Ghosts.
The stage was often packed wit5h delightfully costumed groups of characters. The giggles of the Munchkins in their amazing socks, the dance movements and antics of the crows were amongst the most memorable.
This was indeed a fine production that had obviously entailed considerable work. Key personnel: Producer Adella Charlton, Directors / Production Designers Adella Charlton and Nick Huntingdon, Musical Director Graham Griggs and Choreographrt Helen Pettit, should be rightly satisfied with a job well done.
Forthcoming productions include; “The Accrington Pals” by Peter Whelan 19-21 February 730 p.m. Hayward Theatre admission free and “Summer Term Showcase” in April 2008
