From an early age The Wizard of Oz has been ingrained in the consciousness of millions of people all around the world. Since the much-loved 1930s motion picture starring a young Judy Garland there have been countless incarnations through the decades of Lyman Frank Baum’s magical story, most recently portrayed in the hit West End musical Wicked... the prequel to Oz. But it is that first movie extravaganza we all nostalgically remember; letting that innocent and surreal saccharine world wash over us, we recall our own childhood amazement as Dorothy emerges from a monochromatic Kansas into Oz’s technicolor spectacular. We also enjoy the pleasure of recounting to those around us the terror we experienced when first encountering the Wicked Witch of the West! West Wickham Operatic Society’s production of The Wizard of Oz was firmly rooted in the film’s imagery and character. We experienced extremely accomplished flying witches (from both good and bad sides) played by the experienced Amanda Farrant and Jacqui Morris respectively, an overwhelming number of colourfully dressed munchkins, top-drawer singing and dancing and very high-class sets; so faithfully following the film’s appeal that even in the first scenes the houses in Kansas were black and white, before revealing the sparkling colours of Oz when Dorothy (Katie Morgan) is caught up that fearful american phenomenon - a tornado. Katie Morgan was perfectly cast as the show’s heroine Dorothy. Here was an extremely confident performer with a beautiful voice; she also dealt very well with being outrageously upstaged by Dorothy’s dog Toto, played very naturally by Tilly the terrier. Jacqui Morris relished the role of the Wicked Witch employing a terrific cackle, and Amanda Farrant was suitably vague and wholesome as Glinda the Good Witch of the North. The trio of the Lion (Kevin Gauntlett; also the show’s director) the Tin Man (Philip Netscher) and the Scarecrow (Andy Moore) were aptly played by three accomplished performers. Kevin Gauntlett’s production had a lot of time, talent, love and money lavished on it and it was well worth staging. Although it’s a shame that this hard-working society did not achieve the full houses it deserved.
NODA Review by Chris Williams
West Wickham's production of The Wizard of Oz had much to commend it. Having seen the film and show about 37 times I feel I know it by heart and was therefore surprised when additional topical dialogue was added. The opening scene is really not what the audience have come to see and to extend it was unnecessary. That said the show was bright and cheerful with the massive cast seeming to enjoy themselves, and if they did then so must the audience have done. The production team of Director, Kevin Gauntlett, Music Director, John Hargreaves and Choreographers, Sally and Emma Warsop, had worked hard to produce in the main a well-paced show with specific known highlights and some not often used on the amateur stage such as the Wicked Witch of the West arising out of the woodsman's cottage. The singing in the whole show was good but I would have liked to have heard the actual voices of the solo children who played for example the Lollipop League rather than hear adult voices. The costumes, designed and made by Charlotte and Josie Simpson and their helpers, were colourful and in particular the 'Raggedy Ann' costumes of the munchkins looked very fine and suited the personalities of the 'little people'. The set from Scenic Projects is large and does need practising to manoeuvre it effectively and effectively across the stage and at times on the Thursday matinee this was not done well, but hopefully this was not the case in other performances.
Dorothy, played by Ellen Gauntlett, was a joy to watch and listen to, and Tilly, as Toto, was well-trained and delightful and at times stole the show. Aunt Em, Pauline Gregoire, was a little too angry and needed to show a softer side, whilst Uncle Henry, John Moore, did portray a hen-pecked husband well. Hickory/Tin Man, Philip Netscher, was a well-rounded character and some sympathy was felt for his rusted plight; Hunk/Scarecrow, Andy Moore, was the epitome of the floppy and loveable straw man, and Zeke/Cowardly Lion was well-played by Kevin Gauntlett, Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West was very like the film version in looks and mannerisms and was well-played by Jacqui Morris. Terry Gauntlett as Professor Marvel/Wizard of Oz gave two well-studied and convincing performances. Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, Amanda Farrant, was beautifully dressed and carried off the sugary role with confidence and she made it her own. The Munchkins, particularly the very tiny ones, looked adorable and the bigger ones, as city fathers/Queen, were an interesting change from the usual all children casting. Enjoyable was the spats clad tap-dancing crows and the apple trees with their attitude and apple-throwing antics.
All in all an enjoyable production which captured some of the magic which is Oz. Thanks as always to the front-of-house team of John and Julia Stone for a warm welcome.
