Wonderful child-friendly production for the summer holidays

 Owen Watts, Emily Tietz, Emmeline Braefield, John-Robert Partridge. Photo courtesy of Tread The Boards.

The Wizard of Oz at The Attic Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until 30 August.

Review by Charles Essex.

There are still several weeks of the school holidays left – what to do to keep the family entertained?  Go to the theatre of course, especially when there is a superb production of The Wizard of Oz at The Attic by Tread the Boards (TTB).

The ever-inventive TTB, under the astute direction of John-Robert Partridge (JP) came up with new ways of telling a familiar story.  Starting on the family’s farm, which we all know is in Kansas, the cast, who all took several parts apart from Emily Tietz as Dorothy, had good accents of the American mid-west, which they maintained throughout. 

When Dorothy found herself transport to Oz, we saw the first of Adam Clarke’s very clever scenery changes by folding screens on the back wall, which accompanied each change of location.  These were swiftly accomplished and the story flowed apace.  Emily played her part superbly as the ingenue with a determination to find her way back home while being loyal to her friends

Dorothy’s companions on her journey to find the Wizard each brought a very different flavour to their characters.  JP was outstanding as the rather floppy and hypermobile Scarecrow, with excellent scatty facial expressions as he hoped to find a brain.  Owen Watts, with a fabulous costume as Tin Man, gave the role a suitable melancholy as someone looking for a heart and looking for love.  The Lion who lacked courage was given the right amount of fake bravado by Emmeline Braefield. 

Emily Tietz. Photo courtesy of Treat The Boards.

 JP directed this as a summer pantomime by any other name.  Rosie Coles was Glinda, the good witch with glamour and gentleness, while Abigail Brennan was the Wicked Witch of the West.  Abigail combined a first-rate singing voice with being suitably villainous.  Pete Meredith was a revelation as a song and dance man in the role of The Wizard.  The original songs and music composed by Elliott Wallis enhanced the play, and Kat Murray’s lighting designs enhanced the atmosphere in each scene.

All the cast gave energetic and assured performances, which TTB has a reputation for, and maintained the characteristics of their characters through this quite lengthy play.  It has a long run, but TTB casts have shown their stamina and will delight audiences with this lively and engaging summer production, ideal for families.  The full house, with numerous family groups of all ages, left with smiles and happy chatter, a tribute to the quality of this TTB production.

Tickets from theattictheatre.co.uk