The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz

by L Frank Baum; adapted by Frank Gabrielson

with Music and Lyrics from the MGM motion picture score by Harold Arlen & E Y Harburg

directed by Beverley Anthony & Juliana Hogg

Little Dorothy Gale of Kansas, like so many girls of her age, often dream of what may lie over the rainbow.  One day a tornado hits her home and town and carries her away to picturesque Munchkinland and the other end of the rainbow.

The Munchkins fete Dorothy as a hero because, in landing, her house accidentally killed the Wicked Witch of the East, who had long tormented them. Dorothy wants to go home to Kansas and seeks help from the kind Sorceress of the North.  Only the great Wizard of Oz, says the Sorceress, can help Dorothy get back to Kansas.

Dorothy persuades three friends to accompany her on the trip to the Emerald City to see the Wizard.  They are the Scarecrow, who believes he lacks a brain, the Tin Woodman who has no heart and the Cowardly Lion who would like some courage.

The Wicked Witch of the West, sister of the witch killed by Dorothy's arrival, vows vengeance on Dorothy and does all she can to stop Dorothy and her new friends from getting to the Emerald City and meet the Wizard.

The Wizard will only help them if they kill the Wicked Witch of the West - an apparently impossible task.  They do, however succeed: they all get their wishes and the Wizard accompanies Dorothy back to Kansas in a rocket ship.

 

Cast

Dorothy Caroline Anthony
Scarecrow Rachel Hogg
Tin Woodman Hannah Strawson
Lion Leo Spowage
Aunt Em Emma Tuplin
Uncle Henry Sam Nutting
Farm Hands Robert Doughty, Stephen Doughty
Sorceress Siobhan Hustler
Mayor Phoebe Nicholls
Farmer Luke Tuplin
Coroner Hannah Bows
Wizard James Hall
Growlie Stephen Doughty
Private Robert Doughty
Gloria Hannah Bows
Lady of Oz Amelia
Girls of Oz Jessica Whitlam, Jade Truswell
Soldiers Sam Nutting, Aaron Spowage, Rob Dennis, Stephen Doughty, James Hall, Luke Tuplin, Phoebe Nicholls
Wicked Witch of the West Louise Cutler
Tibia Helen Baker
Witches Pollyana Gough, Verity Smith
Cat Amy Freeman
Mice Duncan Hack, James Freeman, Liam Tuplin, Jessica Readman, Phoebe Nicholls
Ghosts Steph Horstead, Louise Hogg, Emma Tuplin
Munchkins and Citizens Members of the Cast

Musical Director:  James Smith

Crew

Assistant Directors Robert Dennis, Charlotte Broughton, Katherine Boyce
Vocal Coach and Choreography Pam Reaney
Stage Manager Louise Hogg
Stage Assistants Emma Major, Emma Tuplin
Set Design and Construction David Broughton, Tina Speck
Lighting Charles Spowage, Aaron Spowage
Sound David Potter
Front of House Charlotte Broughton, Katherine Boyce
Box Office John Anthony
Stills John Anthony
Prompt Mel
Make-Up Juliana Hogg

 

Acknowledgements

Sue Freeman for costumes; Caroline, Luke and Rachel for Promotion, Birdbook Promotional Products for Ribbons and Medals; Vicki Makin for Costumes and Props; Peter Rhodes for the Hoover; Auntie Daph for Costumes and Props and all the other parents, friends, patrons and sponsors who contributed towards the production.

 

with thanks to John & Beverley Anthony for the photographs