The Wizard Of Oz (Mary Stevens Hospice)
Suspect L. Frank Baum would have been amazed at the diversity of productions that his story could have spawned and this one is a complete mixture with some reminders of the MGM Movie, the adaptation ‘The Wiz’, a major pantomime twist and something fittingly artistic that stamps the mark of Director/Choreographer Mike Capri and Musical Director Adam Joy, ultimately presenting a joyful piece of theatre for all ages.
If you’re going to journey to Oz you’re going to need all the usual culprits, a sprinkling of good in the form of the ultra sparkly Jodie Rock as Glinda and a bostin’ piece of bad from Marlene, the Black Country Wench as the Witch of the West. A soulful voiced Jessica Brooks as Dorothy, Will Phipps’s engagingly hyperactive Scarecrow, a Tinman absolutely full of ‘heart’ even if minus the organ itself from James Totney and that ‘mean ol’ lion’ portrayed as required more with sympathy than ferocity by Alf Rai.
However this is Panto so the audience needs something else to make that foray into a different genre and they get it front and centre from entertainer Wally Wombat (aka Dave Jones) as Auntie Em (the Dame of this piece) full of subtle innuendo and double entendres. Added comedy effect comes from Witch’s Henchmen, comedy rap duo Salt and Pepper (John Aubrey and Rachel Coleman) who certainly do ‘push it real good’.
Alexandra Whitehead’s ‘principal boy’ character Harry Trotter (yes, that’s Trotter not Potter !) is an excellent vehicle for a running gag and Simon Cowell lookalike Andy Monk plays a nice little cameo as the Emerald City Guard. Leaving only one character, that of the Wizard of Oz himself and played by the unforgettable Wagner, remembered predominantly from his appearance on X Factor back in 2010 and now adding an acting role to his repertoire (his snippet of the B52’s ‘Love Shack’ is something I expect few will ever have thought they would experience).
Enhance all of this with some talented and beautiful dancers, mix it all up in the cauldron of Brierley Hill Civic Hall and you have a magical experience not to be missed.
Let’s not forget that all of this stagecraft and musicality is for a major cause, fundraising for Mary Stevens Hospice a local charity providing vital care for patients with incurable or life-limiting illnesses since 1991 so your money couldn’t be any better spent.
Sadly a limited run means you only have two performances on Wednesday 24th January to catch this show and support such a worthy cause, with only a few tickets left hit the booking link below to secure your seats.
Book Here
Mary Stevens Hospice Web Site
However this is Panto so the audience needs something else to make that foray into a different genre and they get it front and centre from entertainer Wally Wombat (aka Dave Jones) as Auntie Em (the Dame of this piece) full of subtle innuendo and double entendres. Added comedy effect comes from Witch’s Henchmen, comedy rap duo Salt and Pepper (John Aubrey and Rachel Coleman) who certainly do ‘push it real good’.
Alexandra Whitehead’s ‘principal boy’ character Harry Trotter (yes, that’s Trotter not Potter !) is an excellent vehicle for a running gag and Simon Cowell lookalike Andy Monk plays a nice little cameo as the Emerald City Guard. Leaving only one character, that of the Wizard of Oz himself and played by the unforgettable Wagner, remembered predominantly from his appearance on X Factor back in 2010 and now adding an acting role to his repertoire (his snippet of the B52’s ‘Love Shack’ is something I expect few will ever have thought they would experience).
Enhance all of this with some talented and beautiful dancers, mix it all up in the cauldron of Brierley Hill Civic Hall and you have a magical experience not to be missed.
Let’s not forget that all of this stagecraft and musicality is for a major cause, fundraising for Mary Stevens Hospice a local charity providing vital care for patients with incurable or life-limiting illnesses since 1991 so your money couldn’t be any better spent.
Sadly a limited run means you only have two performances on Wednesday 24th January to catch this show and support such a worthy cause, with only a few tickets left hit the booking link below to secure your seats.
Book Here
Mary Stevens Hospice Web Site
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