Following the Yellow Brick Road

The Wizard of Oz, Playbox Theatre, until Dec 31 This production is an enchanting interpretation of the iconic 1930’s MGM movie starring Judy Garland and the young Playbox cast and production team certainly do it justice. Young Dorothy and the family farmhouse get blown away in a storm and she finds herself in the far off land of Oz where she has become a hero as her house landed on the Wicked Witch of the East. She then meets some wonderful characters including a Scarecrow, a Tin Man and a Cowardly Lion as she tries to find her way back home. However, the Wicked Witch of the West now stands in her way. Dorothy and her new found friends then ask for help from the Wizard who demands that they bring him the Witches’ broomstick. Young Dorothy and her companions learn many important lessons along the way and she certainly comes to the conclusion that there’s ‘no place like home’. All the main cast give strong performances and Natasha Chapple (pictured) is particularly impressive as the innocent and sincere yet determined Dorothy who even manages to maintain her Kansas accent throughout the well known songs. There is some imaginative choreography and some extremely tuneful singing from the entire cast including the lively Munchkins and the rest of the energetic Ensemble. Excellent use is made of lighting, technology and effects in order to bring the whole production to life. The performance definitely held the attention of the many children in the audience whilst the adults all left the theatre with the famous songs going through their heads. Certainly nobody will have left feeling disappointed and it provides great Christmas entertainment for children and adults alike.