Dark Lucy


The Evening Telegraph - September 2001

DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF OZ
Review by Jan Souter

"We're Off To See The Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz" was the call last night as my four-year old companion and I set off to Follow The Yellow Brick Road with Thomson-Leng Youth Music Theatre, writes Jan Souter.

For Me it was a nostalgic journey, having once been involved in a production of the show on ice, but for the little girl with me it was a wonderful new adventure. Neither of us were disappointed.

This is a musical for the whole family to enjoy. A chance to be magically transported to the fantasy land of Oz, a land of talking trees, flying monkeys and little munchkins.

It is obvious a lot of hard work and effort has gone into this production with some professional performances it belies belief the cast are aged between seven and 18.

The lead role is shared by Lisa Lynch and Jenna Davidson, performing on alternate evenings. "Both girls were so good we couldn't choose between them," said director/producer Brian Boardman.

This was borne out by Lisa's excellent Kansas girl whose adventures take her and her dog Toto (played by a sometimes reluctant Sparky) to the land of Oz.

On the way she meets the Munchkins, Glinda, Good Witch of the North (Samantha Robertson) and the feared Wicked Witch of the West (Tricia Stewart).

Dorothy tells Glinda she wants to go home and is told the only person who can help is the mysterious Wizard of Oz (Richard Waghorn), who lives in the Emerald City. On her journey she befriends the scarecrow (David Millar), who ponders what he could do if "I Only Had A Brain", the Tin Man (Scott McRuvie), who craves a heart and The Cowardly (lovable) Lion (Greg Davidson), who longs to be brave. Hoping the Wizard can help them too, they continue along the Yellow Brick Road but most contend with the Wicked Witch's attempts to stop them.

The cast give 100% and deserve the support if a full house. Tickets for the show, which starts nightly at 7.30 and runs until Saturday are on sale at Central Booking Office, City Square, Dundee, and each night at the Whitehall Theatre.

The show is the RSC version adapted by John Kane. Chorus direction and choreography is by Agnes Boardman and Euan Crabb is musical director. Ross McGill is in charge of pyrotechnics and the set is impressive

© D C Thomson & Co., Ltd 2001

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