Photographs - coming soon
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The NHGS Performing Arts company took “The Wizard of Oz” to the stage this term in a technicolour, multi-media, jubilant production. Paying homage to the musical film as inspiration, the tale of Dorothy, who is removed from all of her natural surroundings by a tornado and deposited in the Land of Oz, was a joy to watch from start to finish.
There was a professionalism and an exuberance from the entire cast and technical crew from the opening announcement to the closing bow. It is hard to single out individuals given that everyone from Dorothy to the Jitterbugs, from Aunt Em to the flying monkeys and munchkins, was giving their performance 100% - and the power of their voices and performances collectively made the show. The relationship between Dorothy and the three friends she makes along the way - the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the cowardly lion - was played brilliantly and enthusiastically by Colette, Arlo, Jasper and Finlay, with their antics providing a great deal of humour. As was the clash between Glinda, the good fairy (Hannah) and the commandingly evil Wicked Witch of the West (Freya) who received a huge round of applause as she melted away.
The design of the show was spectacular. Screens were used on either side of the stage to extend the set, and the artwork was fabulous with almost Hundertvasser-style forests, the grim witch’s castle and the transition to the land of Oz all gaining impact from this device. Screens were also used to great effect with the disembodied head of the Wizard appearing before the real “wizard”, characterised perfectly by Barnaby Turner, was revealed behind the screen. Houses that came apart and reassembled in the twister, proud apple-flinging trees, hot air balloons and a range of interiors rivalled those of a professional production. As did the costumes, with special mention having to go to the eerie flying monkeys who made me jump as they crept up the side of the hall in a most sinister way. All of this and the other technical aspects were managed by a large team under the auspices of Rosalind Cunningham who did a superb job.
The message of the show, as the director, Chris Cresswell, stated in the programme is that whatever you feel you lack is not missing at all, you just need to find it. And that friendship, determination and support will help you to bring it out. An uplifting and important message for young people today to hear. The grit, determination and friendship shown by Guy Marsh, the directors Jess Weston and Chris Cresswell, and Rosalind Cunningham and the entire team, as they have overcome the many challenges of getting this production to stage has been evident in abundance.
It seems that like Dorothy, after a lot of upheaval, all of us have all had to “find our way back home” with grit, determination and friendship. This whole show demonstrated also the joy that can come at the end of that journey - and the warmth of the audience response was evidence of that. It felt like a real rainbow and was wonderful indeed to see.
A L Kent
Having been on the education advisory board for the National Youth Theatre and Headteacher of a Performing Arts specialism Grammar school, I have high expectations for school productions. I can safely say those expectations were met and in many respects exceeded with the NHGS production of Wizard of Oz. What impressed me the most was the sheer joy and enthusiasm from everyone involved. The production values were high and stage discipline was exemplary. The production stands as an undisputable testament to the value of performing arts in schools. It is doubly satisfying given that we have made the decision to rename the school hall The Theatre. Oz therefore serves as its maiden voyage!
D Deehan