IF it ain’t broke: don’t fix it. That’s how the old adage goes.
But in the case of East Berkshire Operatic Society (EBOS) and their take on the classic tale of The Wizard of Oz, grab an oil-can and fix away.
Telling the much-loved story of Dorothy, her little dog Toto and the friends she meets somewhere over the rainbow, EBOS have stayed true to the story that everyone knows and loves. But to spice things up a little, they’ve added their own twist.
Dorothy wishes to be far away from boring, old Kansas, where the nasty Miss Gulch can’t get her hands on Toto, and someone will care about the both of them for a change. But be careful what you wish for, as a huge twister rips through her family’s farm and carries her and Toto to a far away land.
Faced by good witches, bad witches and the oh-so-sweet Munchkins, Dorothy must find her way to the mysterious Wizard in Emerald City, meeting a trio of unlikely friends along the way.
With an added dance performance while making their way through the Haunted Forest, Oz fans will be won-over by the foot-tappingly catchy The Jitterbug: designed by the Wicked Witch to exhaust Dorothy by dancing, you can’t help but join in too.
Will Dorothy make it home in one piece? Or will the Wicked Witch of the West be too much of a match for this little girl from the Midwest?
Stepping into Dorothy’s ruby slippers is Lucy Marshall, tackling the huge songs and choreography with ease, this wonderful actress keeps all eyes on her throughout and navigates the tricky dance steps with precision and poise.
Courtney Fleming takes up the role of the Scarecrow, and brings so much to the character. His effortless acrobatics make him incredibly entertaining to watch, and his comic timing and self-deprecating humour keep the audience in stitches.
The Tin Man (Daniel Strong) is played to great effect, with his stiff movements kept up throughout the performance leading you to believe that he is actually made of metal.
Paul Sheppard’s Cowardly Lion is superb and a highlight of the cast. Expressive and witty, he captures some of the biggest laughs of the night.
The Munchkins, played by Freddie Burton, Holly Adamson, Ruby Adamson, Sam Bennett, Jodie Ferguson, Morgan Ferguson, Beau Ferguson and Grave Lavender (Team Ruby), were a joy to watch. All local youngsters, picked as part of the company’s Summer School programme, they all displayed professionalism beyond their years. Nailing some tricky dance moves and solo numbers, these fine young actors certainly added the ‘aww’ factor to the evening.
Amy Cowie plays a superb Glinda, oozing with sweetness and charm, it was just a shame not to see her brilliant vocals more often.
For me, the star had to be Laura Thain, who seems to have been born to play the Wicked Witch of the West. Her menacing snarl, her withering looks, she really is the baddie you love to hate.
The set design is truly incredible, with the impossible task of transporting the audience from dusty Kansas to the glittering Emerald City, the designers have done a truly superb job and no detail has been spared. The costumes are all fabulous, with all the glitter you would expect, and some clever quick-change outfits during the poppy field scene adding to the magic and ‘wow’ of this show.
Credit must also be given, of course, to Toto, played by the adorable Suki. The relationship between her and owner Lucy is clear to see as she follows every direction brilliantly, with minimal treat rewards needed. Not a woof out of place, Suki is an absolute star and melts the audiences hearts with ease.
Taking on such a classic show such as The Wizard of Oz is a hefty task, but EBOS succeed with ease and style. Putting their own stamp on the proceedings, they added their own spice and leave lifelong fans wanting more.
Be sure to follow the yellow brick road to The Wilde Theatre at South Hill Park before Sunday!
The Wizard of Oz by EBOS is showing every night until Sunday (November 5) at 7.30pm, with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets are £19/£17, with concessions available. To book visit www.southhillpark.org.uk/events/the-wizard-of-oz.
