The Wizard Of Oz (Brierley Hill Musical Theatre Company)

Always a joy to review one of the classics of musical theatre and after the eponymous journey along the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City in the company of a talented and enthusiastic cast from Brierley Hill Musical Theatre Company, one can't fail to leave the venue inspired that good will triumph over evil and there really is 'no place like home'.

I have no option but, to open with a comment about Toto, if you are expecting a Cairn Terrier a la the movie you might be disappointed but, that will last a mere trice before you are under the spell of George the Spaniel ! I have seen many a dog on stage and to be honest they are mostly looking for the quickest route into the wings, George however seemed very comfortable being part of the cast and you can't ask for more than that from your canine star.

So what about the human cast I hear you say well fortunately they are not to be overshadowed (too much) by George and are led by a stellar performance from Connor Wilson as the Wicked Witch of the West, this is witch at its best and equally 'evil' as Miss Gulch. Fortunately Jess Skidmore's vocally outstanding Dorothy will, via a bucket of water, prove that evil always has its 'achilles heel' and bring home the broomstick.

Dorothy of course cannot make the journey, fraught with danger as it is, to see the Wizard without some supportive friends and they come in the form of James Luckins's acrobatic Scarecrow, James Lawley's lovelorn Tin Man and Tom Ruff's highly energetic and comedic Cowardly Lion (I suspect Tom will miss that tail after this production, if his want to vehemently swing it round and round is anything to go by).

In supporting roles, Steve Taylor is totally believable as the slightly forgetful Professor Marvel and the Wizard of Oz, anybody who can deliver the line 'clinking, clanking, clattering collection of caliginous junk' has wizardly powers in his own right. Katie-May Leach oozes 'good' from every pore as Glinda/Aunt Em alongside Paul Smith who is obviously keen for a costume change as Uncle Henry, a Tree, a Winkie and various other roles and Meg Luckins is effervescent as the Oz Guard.

Unsurprisingly this production has its element of youth, predominantly as Munchkins with striking performances from Jack Seddon (Munchkin Mayor), Lucas Warby (Coroner), Finley Hassall (Barrister), Amelia O'Kane, Evie Parker, Olivia Ward (Lullaby League) and George Hampton, Mason Hewitt, Finley Skyrme (Lollipop Guild) to name only a few.

This is of course very much an ensemble piece and without the chorus players it simply wouldn't work, so much credit must go to all involved, including those not on stage, Producers - Jo Gresswell/Chris Psaras, Choreographers - Sally Evans/Rhi Luckins and Martin Francis/Richard Skillbeck who made sure all those memorable musical tunes were well performed.

I'll finish with a thumbs-up for all the tech involved, I know there will have been a lot of sleepless nights about the plethora of sound, light and other cues but, it was all worth it, a couple of minor hiccups but, nothing that detracted from a show that provides real entertainment value.

Only three performances remaining, don't miss out !





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