A tasty Easter treat in Oz
Last updated 15:56, Wednesday, 26 March 2008
WHITEHAVEN Theatre of Youth’s production of The Wizard of Oz was as tasty an Easter treat as a fondant-filled milk chocolate egg.
Enthusiasm, humour and melody were the ingredients for this lively adaptation of one of the most famous stories ever told.
Despite being over 100 years old, The Wizard of Oz possesses never-ending charm, indelible characters and songs everyone can sing – in short it is a perennial joy.
The youngsters acting and singing in this production, held at Rosehill Theatre and sponsored by Tony Roberts, had obviously thrown their heart and soul into their roles. There were some mature and confidence performances throughout the showing topped with some fabulous singing.
A slick production offered the audience a feisty rendition of Frank Baum’s greatest fairy tale which saw the kids, aged between seven and 16 years, performing their multi-coloured socks off to an appreciative first night crowd.
Holly Foley, who possesses one of the show’s finest voices, brought a sweetness to her role as Dorothy. James Last showed off his comic timing playing Tin Man, while Andrew Flynn’s Scarecrow was a goofy delight.
High praise also to Tim Butler who gave a scene-stealing performance as the Cowardly Lion, connecting to the audience with great humour.
Special mentions go to Sophie Warren as a pretty and wise Sorceress of the North, Whitney Hawkins cackling heinously as the Wicked Witch of the West, Lousia Morton as bumbling The Main General and Callum Wynne as the Mayor (along with the little munchkin in the red cap who made me laugh out loud, comic potential there for sure!).
Although it was the youngsters who were the stars of the show, they were more than ably assisted by director Rose Marian Finn, choreographer Judith Henderson and musical directors Pauline Robertson and Maria Morton.
CAST: Alex Stothers, Ami Morton, Andrew Flynn, Bethany Quinn, Caitlin Skillon, Callum Wynn, Emily Morton, Emma Dockwray, Fena Butler, Gemma Dinsdale, Holly Foley, James Last, Jamie Shaw, Jodie Lee, Kelci Coyle, Kier Pirie, Kieren Simpson, Lauren Davidson, Lauren Quinn, Lois Anderson, Louisa Morton, Melanie Agnew, Michael Holburt, Olivia Underwood, Sarah Dockwray, Sophia Brenan, Sophie Flynn, Sophie Warren, Tim Butler, Vaughan Richardson, Vikki Lee, Whitney Hawkins, Zoe Warren.
