"The Wizard Of Oz" by Long Eaton Operatic Society (LEOS)

May Hall, Trent College, Long Eaton.

We all know the story of the young girl, Dorothy Gale who lives on a farm in Kansas with her Aunt Em, Uncle Henry and her little dog, Toto. It tells the story of how a tornado sweeps her, her home and Toto to a magical land called Oz, how she manages to eradicate the Munchkins from the Wicked Witch of The East by flattening her when the house lands on her.

On the way to meeting the Wizard, so she can get back home to Kansas she meets, and helps The Tinman, Scarecrow and The Cowardly Lion while the quartet have a few scary adventures on their way.

Before I start to tell you about the production, if you've not been to May Hall for a few years, you'll notice the tiered seating which are as comfortable to sit in as they look. With the tiered seating as well, you get a great view of the stage and the performers from wherever you sit. Ok, now on with the show.....

Dorothy is played by Amy Parker. What you notice as the production goes on is that, while Amy injects her personality in the role, she also retains much of the Judy Garland vocal inflections into not just the singing but into the script. If you close your eyes you can at times imagine that you are listening to the film, the similarity is that close in parts. But why would you want to close your eyes? Lovely performance and a lovely voice to match.

Uncle Henry is played by Ali Langton and Aunt Em is played by Angela Walters, and if you'd have given me a list of the cast before knowing who was playing who, I'd have put Angela down as Aunt Em. Both start off quite crotchety with Dorothy. Possibly the most crotchety pair out of any of the productions that I had seen over the years. You know what though, within the confines of the story, they would be and that is nice to see. Of course, as the story develops, their concerned side is brought out. A well matched pairing for these two actors.

Amy Clover plays the Good Witch Glinda, and of course we know that she is the good witch as she is dressed in a gorgeous slivery white costume and enters through a veil of magical bubbles.

Harvey Latter plays Scarecrow/Hunk. I love the physicality of this character and Harvey, quite literally throws himself into the part. I'd be surprised if, by the end of the run, Harvey has a few bruises! Loved the choreography for Harvey as well.

Matt McAuley is the Cowardly Lion/Zeke. Again, I would have placed Matt as the Lion if I'd not been told of the casting previously because you can picture how Matt would play it. Matt did not disappoint and his performance was great fun as well as endearing, extracting some nice loud applause, especially during and after the song "If I Were King Of the Forest".

The Tinman/Hickory is played by Gavin Owen. The Tinman has possibly the most unnatural of movements for an actor to get into, but Gavin did the role proud with plenty of staccato movements.

Milly Bould is the Wicked Witch of The West and I loved the attitude that was given for this character by Milly, almost modern street-wise with the vocal delivery and the physical swag of a Wicked one. By comparison her alter ego on stage, Miss Gulch, just as nasty but very strait laced and proper. I've been told on many occasion that the nasty roles are the best to play for an actor as they can really get their teeth into a bad un. That said I expect Milly loves her dual role here.

The Emerald City Guard is played by Jack Woolley, and once more a fresh characterisation, bringing out a more camp version of the guardian of the Mighty Oz, not only in the physical side of the character but in the vocal delivery and some wonderful animated facial acting. Probably for the first time I really noticed this character and that is thanks to Jack's flamboyant acting talents.

The Wizard/Professor Marvel is played by Adam Guest. He wins the audience over straight away as Marvel with his slightly over the top conjuring calls with his crystal ball, just after Dorothy runs away. Adam is great at comedy and his natural comedy flair also shows as the Wizard. There is also a hologram style image of Adam as The Wizard projected on to the curtains which is quite unnerving to see, but great fun.

Playing Toto is Peggy, who just happened to be the first member of the cast to be cast! Indescribably cute with a tail that just never stops wagging and full of that "aaahhh factor"

This is a big production with a big ensemble, and when the production is as wizard as this one, it's only fair that they should all get a mention, so here goes...

Nicola Adcock, Molly Parkinson, Gemma Rimington, Laurie Trott - who is her usual excellent self and especially in the role of Munchkin Mayor, Jordan Neary, Alex Tavener, Jack Warbuton, Lilli White, Lottie Ludlow, Heather McGunnigle, Clare Kay, Melissa Vickerstaff, Robert McAuley, Arden-Caspar Jennison, Adele Smith, Eleanor Harvey, Hayley Wood, Emily May Corner, Anna McAuley and Mariko Jones. The last three actors also giving a brilliantly attitude driven performance as trees - go see the show and see what I mean!

Directed by Emma Collins, who I am sure is responsible for a lot of the attitude seen in this production, and in part it's that attitude that brings a new modern feel about this production. Pacy and fresh feeling. Assistant Director is Dave O Neal.

Musical Direction by Charlotte Daniel. In the past there have been productions that have slightly overpowered the actors on stage. This is because the orchestra pit is in front of the actors and when there is a nine-piece orchestra to sing over something can be lost. Not this evening. The musicians sounded well rounded and a full sound did not diminish the excellent vocals from the stage.

There is some brilliant choreography, thanks to Rachel Murray, especially in some of the big ensemble pieces like the wonderful "Jitterbug" sequence.

Sound and light design is by Sam Lenord and David Price respectively. The sound was perfectly balanced with only a couple of ever so slightly missed mic cues - you know how hot I am on that - but probably not noticed by anyone else. The lighting was deliberately dark at the start, giving you a feeling of the oncoming storm, and after that explosions of light and colour to show the extremes of Kansas and Oz.

With a show like this the costumes are really important, and they were brilliant, especially for Tinman, Scarecrow and the Lion. I wonder how warm it was within that lion costume. Tinman's costume actually looked like it was made of Tin and Scarecrow's gave a feel of fluidity and invertebrate.

The length of the show seemed to be longer than the previous productions I'd seen and there seemed to be more songs. That said it did not feel too long due to the enjoyment factor. It also did not matter that the weather outside was cold, because on leaving this production, you were left with a lovely warm fuzzy feeling inside. "Wizard Of Oz", the equivalent of comfort food, but without the calories.

"The Wizard Of Oz" is at May Hall until Saturday 9 April, so follow the yellow brick road to Long Eaton and get yourself a ticket - quick!