The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz - Mitchell Theatre, 22-27 October, 2002 The Theatre Guild committee were delighted to present The Wizard of Oz as our 2002 production. This was the first time in the club's history that we had presented this show! This recently released version of the stage show was written to be almost identical to the original 1939 MGM movie. Audience figures finalised at around 90% and feedback was extremely positive (artistic direction, choreography and cast enthusiasm coming under particular praise). The addition of around 50 children to our membership certainly boosted ticked sales (and, some might add, blood pressure readings!). THE STORY Little Dorothy Gale of Kansas, like so many girls her age, dreams frequently of what lies over the rainbow. One day a twister hits her farm and carries her away. At the end of the rainbow, she finds herself in picturesque Munchkinland; home of the fascinating people, the Munchkins. In this famous land of Oz, Dorothy meets her first fairyland figure: the Good Witch of the North. The Munchkins fête Dorothy as a heroine, because in landing, her house has accidentally killed the Wicked Witch of the East, who had long tormented the Munchkins. Dorothy wants to return to Kansas, fearing her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry will worry about her. The Good Witch advises Dorothy that only the great Wizard of Oz can help her get back to Kansas. But Dorothy has an enemy, the Wicked Witch of the West, sister of the dead Wicked Witch of the East, who vows revenge. The witch is frightened away on her first encounter with Dorothy as the Good witch places the powerful ruby slippers previously owned by the Wicked Witch of the East on Dorothy's feet! On the way to Emerald City Dorothy meets Scarecrow who joins her. Next they meet the Tin Woodman and finally in a haunted wood they are joined by a Cowardly Lion. The Wicked Witch curses a poppy field on the outskirts of the Emerald City causing the travellers to fall asleep - but they are saved by the Good Witch who causes a fall of snow to awaken them. In the Emerald City Dorothy introduces herself and her friends to the Guard. He explains that the Wizard of Oz is the most powerful Wizard in the world, but not very friendly! They are granted an audience with the Wizard who sends them on a quest to capture the broom of the wicked witch. On the way to the Witch's castle they are attacked by the Witch's evil Flying Monkeys who kidnap Dorothy. The three remaining friends vow to rescue her but at the castle the Witch attacks the Scarecrow with fire. Dorothy protects Scarecrow by throwing a bucket of water over the Witch. This is the witch's weakness and she melts immediately at the touch of the water - the Witch is DEAD! When they return to the Great Oz, the four discover he is an ordinary man, not a powerful wizard. Nevertheless, the Wizard of Oz is able to grant everyone's wishes. He gives the Lion a medal to represent courage, the Tinman a watch to show his large heartedness, and the Scarecrow a diploma to signify graduation from advanced study. The Great Wizard of Oz escorts Dorothy back to Kansas in his balloon.

Cast List

The cast of our 2002 production of The Wizard of Oz (in order of appearance) was as follows:

Dorothy Toto Aunt Em / Glinda Uncle Henry / Guard Hickory / Tin Man Hunk / Scarecrow Zeke / Cowardly Lion Miss Gultch / Wicked Witch Professor / Wizard of Oz Munchkin Mayor Munchkin Barrister Munchkin Coroner First Crow Second Crow Third Crow First Tree Second Tree Third Tree Winkie General Nikko	Allison Bennie 'Chloe' Victoria Eadie Mark Ridyard Wilson Paterson Cameron Lowe David Brown Norma Fingland Les Hooper Laura Burns Ashley McInnes Martha Smart Christopher Lowe Kris Guthrie Moira McLeod Shona McAulay David McCurrach Susan Kerr Sharon Osdin Suzanne Lowe Stuart Forrester Hamish Fingland

Dancers

Susan Bedford, Karen Brown, Denise Hooper, Suzanne Lowe, Moira McLeod, Heather Smith

 

People of Kansas, Snowflakes, Ozians & Jitterbugs

Laura Caricato, Linda Conway, Julie Cuthbertson, Hamish Fingland, Stuart Forrester, Lynn Henderson, Susan Kerr, Robin Kyle, Shona MacAulay, David McCurrach, Elaine McGill, Claire McMurray, Louise McMurray, Sharon Osdin, David Sturgeon, Sonia Wallace

 

Munchkins

Ailsa Baird, Jenna Carey, Karay Gibson, Gabriel Harris, Julie Henery, Emma Jamieson, Jennifer Jamison, Christopher Kerr, Aimee Knox, Megan McMillan, Matthew McGlinchey, Katie McKitting, Mharie McLay, Jamie Martin, Stephanie Mullen, Jade Patterson, Natalie Pollock.

Karen Adamson, Hannah Bowering, Christopher Brown, Stuart Brown, Dawn Bulloch, Sophie Dalziel, Laura Dickson, Bethany Donald, Rebecca Donald, Kimberley Gibson, Laura Hendry, Laura Kelly, Rebecca Lowe, Andrew McArthur, Heather McGillion, Laurie McIntyre, Sammy-Jo Marshall, Katy Morrison, Siobhan O'Brian, Helen Slater, Ashley Welch.

 

Production Team

The production team of our 2002 production of The Wizard of Oz was as follows:

Artistic Director Assistant Director Musical Director Choreographer Rehearsal Pianist Stage Director Stage Manager Properties Wardrobe Prompt	Alasdair Hawthorn Mark Ridyard Gerry Devlin Jonathan Parsons Graham Boyd Ian Purves George Baird Elenor Wilkins Colin Hooper Christine Hooper Louise Munro

Professional Services

Our thanks to the following companies who provided services for this production:

Set Costume Lighting Design Sound	Border Studio, Selkirk Utopia, Dundee George Armstrong Alan Beattie, BSL

Show Programme

Click the links below to see excerpts from the Show Programme:

Production Team
Principal Cast
Supporting Cast
Full Cast

If you have any photos from this production please email them to cammy@uktheatre.net