Publicity #1: The Wizard of Oz
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: December 17 1993 issue – page 17
Text Header: “Wick go along the ochre road”
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A MAGICAL trip along the Yellow Brick Road is in store for visitors to Southwick Community Centre’s Barn Theatre from December 28 to January 2.
Wick Theatre Company promises a colourful and exciting production of The Wizard of Oz, a musical directed by Betty Dawes with Nick Ryder as musical director. Young newcomer Tanja McGhie, 14, plays Dorothy, a girl whirled away into a land of fantasy. Her dad, Peter McGhie plays the wizard. Dorothy’s travelling companions are a cowardly lion [Ray Hopper], a tinman without a heart [Andy Chalk] and a brainless scarecrow, played by another newcomer, Matthew Bartlett.
Margaret Ockenden takes the rôle of wicked witch opposite Hazel Starns as the beautiful sorceress. Adults and children team up as Munchkins and Jitterbugs.
Curtain-up is at 7.30pm each night except for 7pm tart on December 31. Matinees are at 2.30pm on December 28 and January 1 and 2.
The company advises early booking for tickets. Phone the Barn box-office on Brighton [0273] 597094
Review #1: The Wizard of Oz
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: December 3 1993 issue – page 8
Text Header: Colourful characters in this wizard show
Reviewer: Alan Olieff
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A SPLASH of colour and cheery songs brightened a dreary winter’s evening, thanks to Wick Theatre Company’s production of The Wizard of Oz. The overall impression from Tuesday’s performance was one of a cast clearly enjoying what they were doing. This sentiment spilled over into a large audience at Southwick Community Centre’s Barn Theatre.
Tanja McGhie made an impressive debut as central character Dorothy. Her stage presence and ability to react convincingly to various situations were commendable especially for a girl only 12 years old.
Mastered
Also popular with the audience was Ray Hopper as the cowardly lion, whose whinings and mock displays of bravery raised many a laugh. He looked mighty impressive in his costume made by Amanda Dawes. Matthew Bartlett gave a good example on how to build on a character in the role of the brainless scarecrow. He mastered the gormless expressions and voice, unsteady walk and jolly waves to other characters as they headed offstage. Andy Chalk kept his cool in a solid performance as the tin man, complete with a fine metallic costume made by Frances Moulton.
Rolling
Scenes featuring the Munchkins were an eyecatching were an eyecatching affair with multi-coloured costumes. Smaller children looked particularly cute in their hoods, or flat caps and oversized trousers.
The dance-crazy Jitterbugs didn’t seem to make their victims strain themselves too much with their moves on Tuesday night – perhaps we were watching in slow motion. Musicians directed by pianist Nick Ryder kept the show rolling along with favourite tunes such as Somewhere Over the Rainbow and We’re Off to See the Wizard.
Perhaps the funniest moments in the show was the lion’s corny joke made when the Wicked Witch of the West [Margaret Ockenden] produced a can of beer as a warning to the tin man – I won’t spoil it.
The Wizard of Oz continues tonight [Friday Dec 31] at 7pm, tomorrow [Saturday] at 2.30pm and 7.30pm and on Sunday at 2.30pm only. For ticket details, phone the Barn box office on Brighton [01273] 597094.
