IT’S time to click your heels, grab your little dog and discover there’s no place like home as the Wizard of Oz lands at South Hill Park next month.
East Berkshire Operatic Society (EBOS) are inviting audiences to join them on an unforgettable trip to Oz to meet Dorothy, the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and not forgetting Toto the little dog, too!
Dorothy Gale lives on a farm in Kansas with her Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, and her best friend, Toto. Daydreaming of a life far away from the bland and dull Kansas, and desperate to save her dog from the nasty Miss Gulch, Dorothy decides to run away, but while away they are caught in a tornado, and she is hit on the head.
When she awakes, she and her house have been transported to the wonderful world of Oz, a far cry from her dull life in Kansas.
Dorothy meets the Munchkins and Glinda the Good Witch of the North, but evil is never far away and the Wicked Witch of the West soon appears to threaten Dorothy and Toto.
Desperate to return home to Kansas, Dorothy must embark on a quest to find the mythical Wizard, but along the way she encounters new friends who turn her life upside down. Will she make it home?
Featuring 18 local children playing the role of the Munchkins, EBOS have pulled out all the stops for this Royal Shakespeare Company adaptation of the classic story, which was turned into a film starring Judy Garland in 1939.
Director Stuart Hayllor said: “This is a children’s story so we had to have some children in the show. Summer School (or Munchkin School as it affectionately became known) was something very new for EBOS and for me, but the children really embraced what we were doing and had so much fun.
“A moment that will stay with me was at the end of the first day our Dorothy came to meet the young actors and play some games with them and sing with them.
“She stood there singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow and the children were absolutely besotted by her. They didn’t see an actress, they saw Dorothy and it was wonderful. They all joined in and sang it together and it set the tone for the rest of the week. They have become a very welcome and vital addition to our cast.
“When taking on the task of directing the Wizard of Oz I did so aware of the possibilities and challenges putting on one of stage and screens most iconic musicals presents.
“I think you have to embrace those challenges because this show means so much to everyone – and I mean everyone. It was part of all our childhoods.
“It’s testament to the MGM movie that just two years shy of its 80 birthday it still mesmerises children seeing it for the first time just like it did back in 1939.
“My aim from day one has been to trick the audience into forgetting that they know the story and ask them be that child again and simply follow Dorothy for the first time as she tries to find her way home.
“We wanted to pay homage whilst putting our own spin on things, and at EBOS we are seriously spoilt with so much great talent both onstage and off and with our exceptional cast, lead by the brilliant Lucy Marshall as Dorothy, I know they can do this classic title justice.”
The Wizard of Oz comes to the Wilde Theatre, at South Hill Park, on Wednesday, november 1 until Sunday, November 5 at 7.30pm, with 2.30pm matinees.
Tickets are £19 for evening performances, £17 for Saturday or Sunday matinees, with concessions available. To book visit www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the Box Office on 01344 484 123.
