THE WIZARD OF OZ

THE WIZARD OF OZ

Galleywood Theatre Group

at the Keene Hall

22.01.12

Kansas comes to the Keene Hall in Galleywood, for the last of this season's pantos, James Barry's re-working of The Wizard of Oz.

Baum's old morality tale works well as a panto, with its witches, Munchkins and ding-dong battle between good and evil.

But the cast had to work hard to push out their performances over the excited hubbub of Sunday's matinée - most successful were Beverley Eary's brainless Scarecrow, Annette Michael's Wicked Witch, and, impressively, understudy Caroline Bradley making the most of her sidekick Riff Raff at only a few hours' notice.

The songs ranged from Sound of Music to S Club 7, via Paloma Faith, with only a nod to Over the Rainbow, recast by MD Joanne Cocklin, and nicely delivered by Lisa Manuel, a likeable, lively Dorothy. There was some deft dance work – the monkeys in the ghost routine – the design, though basic, did have some lovely poisoned poppies. Scene changes – of which there were many – would have benefited from some bold musical backing.

Debbi Flack's family-friendly show featured performers across the age range, from Abbi Flack's tiny Toto to Jean Speller's timorous Lion. A real community effort.

THE SNOW QUEEN

Galleywood Theatre Group at the Church of St Michael and All Angels

22.01.11

A world première Panto, and the first I've seen in a church [though our medieval forebears would have thought nothing of bawdy knockabout drama in the aisles]. 
St Michael and All Angels were joint sponsors of The Snow Queen, together with Naked Flame Candles. Mr Simm's Olde Sweet Shoppe benefited from prominent product placement too – confectionery was central to the show, with the Dame [a lively Beverley Eary] in a natty Allsorts apron presiding over her Kingdom of Sweets.

Another experienced performer was Annette Michaels as the evil title character, cackling away in her green gloves and green wig. An unusual character for pantomime was “sophisticated and slightly foreign” René, played with some style and a wonderful accent by Paula Rayner. Stevie Gill and Caroline Fernandez worked hard as Ig and Lou, with two duets and lots of banter.

But there was promising work from the youngsters, too, with a neat chorus ensemble [The Candyman]. And if the young lovers [Charlie Kinsman and Harri-Nicole Kinsman] struggled to put over the dialogue in this unfriendly acoustic, their singing was attractive [a nice Lion King duet].

Debbi Flack directed, with Jo Cocklin in charge of the music.

This is the first major production from a new group – their next venture, appropriately enough, will be The Vicar of Dibley in April.