SOUTH Hill Park’s interactive two-site outdoor promenade show promises to delight children, and adults alike.
Follow The Yellow Brick Road is good value, and ideal summer holiday family entertainment.
The show begins at the front of the arts centre mansion house, from where families journey into Frank L Baum’s story, The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz.
A cast of professional performers guides them through a Kansas storm with plenty of smoke, inside the arts centre, and out into the surrounding parkland.
Children at the first performance were excited and engaged, with plenty of questions for Dorothy and her friends between scenes.
“I enjoyed looking for things to help Dorothy, and meeting the Tin Man,” said young visitors, Nyla and Maya.
“The storm was good, and we had wind blowing round our legs.”
“It was great that it was interactive,” said their mum, Jessica.
“It was nice to be outdoors in the grounds, and to see parts of the mansion people don’t usually get to visit.”
South Hill Park is surrounded by extensive gardens.
There, in the woods, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion appear to complete the band of friends.
This interactive and immersive show suitable for all ages is well performed and ideally pitched,
It includes specially written songs, choreographed dances, special effects and surprises.
Presented in two parts, audience members journey from the arts centre to the Emerald City in Bracknell’s Lexicon.
Glinda, the good witch of the North, who helps Dorothy at several times on her journey, took time off from magical duties to chat with Wokingham.Today:
She said: “Like the children today, I was excited and nervous during the storm, especially when we came through the smoky tunnel.
“We’ve been to lots of different and exciting places, and it was a little bit scary – but not too much for children – just about right, in fact.
“I was pleased to help Dorothy, all by magic, even though I’m on my holibobs, because I’m awfully clever like that, I thank you.
“We’ve heard amazing original songs, enjoyed fabulous dancing and singing, and I’m overwhelmed.”
Audience members enjoy free parking at Braccan Walk Car Park for part two of the story.
“When we get there we’ll follow the Yellow Brick Road, to find out what happens during the rest of the story, and hopefully we’ll get Dorothy back home to Kansas,” said Glinda.
“I will be popping up a few times to help her out, and to make sure everyone enjoys a happy ending, because that’s what we all want.”
The show takes place at South Hill Park from Thursday, August 17 through to Sunday, August 27.
Shows start at: 11am, 12.15pm, 1.30pm, 3.30pm, 4.45pm, and 6pm every day.
Relaxed shows take place at 11am on Saturdays, August 19, and August 26.
Running time is approximately two and a half hours, including time for audiences to make their way from South Hill Park to part two at The Lexicon.
A Yellow Brick Road passport gives free parking at Braccan Walk car park, and instructions to reach the wizard’s home inside Princess Square.
Tickets cost £5, with a maximum of 40 people per performance.
Transport between South Hill Park and The Lexicon is not included.
The show is a collaboration between The Lexicon, South Hill Park, and Bracknell Forest Borough Council.
For information and to book, call: 01344 413524, or visit: www.southhillpark.org.uk
