The Wizard Of Oz (West Bromwich Operatic Society)
When it comes to a long standing, respected and well loved story like The Wizard of Oz it can be tempting to make subtle changes in order to make a production individual, in this case though West Bromwich Operatic Society have chosen to take a very traditional approach, enhanced only with some inclusive video footage to link scenes together and I can honestly say the performance was a delight to watch and had me drifting back to the 1939 Movie (is it really that long ago).
Jessica Harrison is an enchanting and vocally captivating Dorothy Gale providing that consistent link as the story progresses, joined initially by Alex Woolliscroft as a physically dexterous Hunk/Scarecrow, then by Elliott Mann as a vocally outstanding Hickory/Tin Man and finally by Andy Foggin as a highly entertaining Zeke/Cowardly Lion. As a team these four work exceptionally well and engage the audience continually with the story, the songs and (certainly in the case of the Cowardly Lion) their antics.
When it comes to witches there are good and bad, on the good side Emma Wetherall's stunningly dressed Glinda (also doubling as Aunt Em) has a classy vocal and some really bewitching (excuse the pun) stage presence. On the bad side (and this is really good, bad if that is an appropriate set of words) Sarah Moors is wickedly authentic, right down to the 'cackle' as the Wicked Witch of the West (also doubling as the rather unlikeable Miss Almira Gulch).
Doubling as Professor Chester Marvel and the Wizard of Oz whilst coping with some trickily worded speeches a great piece of acting from Tim Jones and Dan Smith proves his multi-faceted capabilities as Uncle Henry and an enthusiastic Emerald City Guard.
Matt Evans, Will Foggin and Harvey Zaffino are suitably simian as the witches Flying Monkeys, Megan Bruce, Jessamine Cox and Molly Williams appropriately arboreal as Trees and Grace Bradshaw, Matt Evans and Dan Smith fittingly corvine as the Crows.
There is a sizable ensemble cast picking-up various characters from Munchkins to Jitterbugs (the Jitterbug Number is always an interesting one and strangely cut from the movie), I would however highlight particularly the Merry Old Land of Oz Number as an outstanding piece of choreography from Claire Flavell, performed incredibly well by all involved.
Sadly the whole cast has succumbed to the point that one should never act with animals and they are flagrantly upstaged by Angel in the role of Toto, I suspect this will be a common theme throughout the run which ends on Saturday 5th October 2019.
Simon Pugh as Director and Ian Room as Musical Director have created exactly the enchantment that should come from this story and it's something you really shouldn't miss whether you're young or old.
Book Here
Jessica Harrison is an enchanting and vocally captivating Dorothy Gale providing that consistent link as the story progresses, joined initially by Alex Woolliscroft as a physically dexterous Hunk/Scarecrow, then by Elliott Mann as a vocally outstanding Hickory/Tin Man and finally by Andy Foggin as a highly entertaining Zeke/Cowardly Lion. As a team these four work exceptionally well and engage the audience continually with the story, the songs and (certainly in the case of the Cowardly Lion) their antics.
When it comes to witches there are good and bad, on the good side Emma Wetherall's stunningly dressed Glinda (also doubling as Aunt Em) has a classy vocal and some really bewitching (excuse the pun) stage presence. On the bad side (and this is really good, bad if that is an appropriate set of words) Sarah Moors is wickedly authentic, right down to the 'cackle' as the Wicked Witch of the West (also doubling as the rather unlikeable Miss Almira Gulch).
Doubling as Professor Chester Marvel and the Wizard of Oz whilst coping with some trickily worded speeches a great piece of acting from Tim Jones and Dan Smith proves his multi-faceted capabilities as Uncle Henry and an enthusiastic Emerald City Guard.
Matt Evans, Will Foggin and Harvey Zaffino are suitably simian as the witches Flying Monkeys, Megan Bruce, Jessamine Cox and Molly Williams appropriately arboreal as Trees and Grace Bradshaw, Matt Evans and Dan Smith fittingly corvine as the Crows.
There is a sizable ensemble cast picking-up various characters from Munchkins to Jitterbugs (the Jitterbug Number is always an interesting one and strangely cut from the movie), I would however highlight particularly the Merry Old Land of Oz Number as an outstanding piece of choreography from Claire Flavell, performed incredibly well by all involved.
Sadly the whole cast has succumbed to the point that one should never act with animals and they are flagrantly upstaged by Angel in the role of Toto, I suspect this will be a common theme throughout the run which ends on Saturday 5th October 2019.
Simon Pugh as Director and Ian Room as Musical Director have created exactly the enchantment that should come from this story and it's something you really shouldn't miss whether you're young or old.
Book Here
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