Past Productions – Holiday Schools / Workshops

The Wizard of Oz · 20 - 26 August 2007 · Arden Theatre

The 2007 summer school revealed talents unknown and made existing talents shine! As we followed the story of Dorothy and her whirlwind trip to the mythical land of Oz, familiar characters such as the lion, the scarecrow and the tin man all sang solos to tell the story of the downfall of the Wicked Witch of The West.

Emily Royles took the lead role of Dorothy and delivered a beautiful rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” describing her hopes and dreams of a place better than Kansas to her friend, Anne played by Rhiannon Lee.

In a flash of a storm Dorothy finds herself in an unknown world with a new pair of shoes in ruby red, and is greeted by Glinda the Good Witch of the North played by Hannah Tonry. As the munchkin’s crept from their hiding places - startling some audience members – they find the Wicked Witch of the East is dead, yes really really dead!! Leading us into Ding Dong the Witch is Dead sung by all cast and a beautiful solo from Glinda.

Suddenly the Wicked Witch of the West appears, played by Vikki Bray, demanding to know the story behind the death of her sister, sparking a grudge against Dorothy. Under Glinda's instruction Dorothy is sent to the Emerald City to see the great Wizard of Oz so she can get back home and away from the evil Wicked Witch! The munchkins send her off in song telling her to “Follow the Yellow Brick Road”, with lines from Alex Lake, Cos Mandis, Jasmine Fairhall and Maddy Annandale.

On Dorothy’s lonely trek she suddenly comes across the sweet but slightly dim scarecrow, played by Elliot Bates. Elliot performed his singing debut at da capo brilliantly with “If I Only had a Brain”. Dorothy kindly offers to take the scarecrow with her to the Emerald city to sort his thinking problem! Off they went singing the aptly named song “We’re Off to see the Wizard”.

On the next stage of their journey they come across the frozen and grumpy tin man, played by Bethany Lee, who just wanted her oil can! Bethany delivered a comical performance as the oil man and gave an endearing rendition of “If I Only had a Heart”. She then joined the scarecrow and Dorothy on their trip to the Emerald City (“We’re Off to see the Wizard”).

As they continued on their trek worrying about lions and tigers and bears (oh my!) who do they come across but a . . . not so scary lion! Claire Tonry gave a memorable performance as the cowardly lion leaving no member in the audience wondering whether she was scared or not! “If I only had a Nerve” convinces the tin man, scarecrow and Dorothy to take the lion with them on their journey. Little do they know the Wicked Witch is watching them from her castle with her eyes on the coveted ruby slippers!

When they arrived at the Emerald City they were greeted by a fierce guard, played by Maddy Annadale, who lets them in only because they were sent by the Good Witch of the North. Krista Banks as Guard 2 gave them an ultimatum from the Wizard; they must bring the Wicked Witch of the West’s broomstick to him before he can grant any wishes.

The group travel to the witch’s tower apprehensively and a comical panto style of the witch’s approach scared the poor lion and got the audience chuckling in their seats again. The witch’s evil monkeys surrounded Dorothy led by head monkey Isobel Denning. It all ended here for the witch though when the scarecrow cleverly melted her with a bucket of water! The witch was no more, much to the pleasure of all the munchkins and occupants of Oz, “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead Reprise”.

The Wizard of Oz was played by Cos Mandis, who wowed everyone with his great ability to learn large amounts of script at a young age. The Wizard is unveiled by the lion to be no great being of magical power; however the Wizard helps everyone with his philosophical thinking rather than sorcery! He convinces the scarecrow he can think and does have a brain and so presents him with a diploma. The lion is presented with a medal initiating him into the Legion of Courage for his bravery against wicked witches, reminding him he can be courageous even if he doesn’t think so! The tin man learns from the wizard that a heart is not judged on how much you love others, but by how much others love you, and is presented with a ticking heart.

Dorothy doubted she would ever get home as surely the Wizard didn’t have anything for her . . .Glinda comes to her rescue and tells her she has always had the power to go home, just closing her eyes, clicking her heels together three times and thinking to herself, there’s no place like home got her back to Kansas in flash!

The cast pulled off an amazing show from only 1 week of rehearsals. Many of the cast showed outstanding promise in acting and singing with hidden potential coming to light, particularly from some of the younger cast. Kelsey Brazier directed, choreographed and organised the show on her own with amazing results.