The Wiz
Posted on 14/12/09
The Wiz
9th – 12th December 2009
The pressure was on for the Performing Arts team to produce a show that would display Ratton’s diverse talent and blow the audience away. Back in July, auditions were held for eighty-plus students all hoping to win a part. The interest was phenomenal and students sung their hearts out. Parts were cast and the rehearsals began in September. Hard-working and reliable, the cast gathered three times a week to practise demanding dance steps, challenging songs, and dramatic scenes, their enthusiasm never wavering.
From the 9th to the 12th December, the Wiz cast put on a show-stopping performance every night, captivating the audience and leaving them forever more with ‘Ease on Down the Road’ in their heads! The strong cast ranged from year 7 to 11; the show being many of the students’ last performance at Ratton School.
A young and earnest Dorothy who, upon being whipped up in a tornado, encounters a ditzy Addapearle and befriends a Scarecrow wanting brains, a Tin Man needing a heart, and a Lion lacking courage. Together, the four friends venture across the Land of Oz in search of the Wiz. Along their way, Dorothy and co. stumble in to various obstacles that they must accomplish; the scary Kalidahs, the entrancing Poppies, and the wicked witch, Evillene.
There were many performances in ‘The Wiz’ that stood out and to name a few; Star Bray, who portrayed a loving but firm Aunt Em and had the difficult task of opening the show; Robyn Nash, who played Lord High Underling, gave a dramatic performance along-side Jess Woodrow playing a scary Evillene; the five year 7 girls playing the lead Munchies and Twinkies who never once came out of character (even back-stage!); Milly Attwood who was magical as Glinda the Good Witch; Lucy Cheetham who provided us with a wonderfully ridiculous Addapearle; and David Dumbleton who played a comical Wizard. Ben Gurney made audiences chuckle with his interpretation of the cowardly Lion, Jess Stubbs playing a rigid and thoroughly delightful Tin Man, Luke Crooke-French who enthralled audiences with his lithe movement, and Meggie Dennis who was simply charming as Dorothy and gave radiant performances every night.
A special mention must be given to Mr. Cane-Hardy and Mrs. Wood, who led a 20-piece orchestra and entertained audiences every night with their renditions of ‘He’s the Wiz’, ‘Everybody Rejoice’ and the difficult ‘Tornado Ballet’. There are so many people who were involved in this spectacular production and huge thanks should go to Mr. Adams, Mr. Stocker, Mrs Duncan, Miz Wells, Mr. Cane-Hardy, Mrs. Wood, Ms. White, Ms. Powers, Gracie Barrow and Mrs. Cooke for all their hard work. If you missed it, you missed out!
Review by E. Mockler