Review: The Wizard of Oz, Telford and District Light Operatic Players
[gallery] It's such a well-known show, the members of Telford and District Light Operatic Players might have felt like they needed some of the Cowardly Lion's courage when they decided to perform The Wizard of Oz.
The 30s film is so ingrained in people's minds it's hard to know how to bring that cinema magic to the stage.
Everyone is familiar with the tale of Dorothy Gale's journey to Oz alongside the rag-tag Lion, Scarecrow and Tin Man, and using a hi-tech green screen, creative costumes and a fantastic musical score, they managed to pull it off.
A digital backdrop projected pre-recorded images of the tornado which sweeps up Dorothy's Kansas house, shows the good witch Glinda flying in by bubble and the head of the Wizard of Oz, which makes it possible for the performers to bring some of the magic of the movies to life.
The two rules of theatre are never to work with children or animals, but Tadlop threw out the rule book, including a young cast and a performing dog called Colin in the role of Toto, which worked to good effect.
However, even the most experienced performers can get distracted and there were some points where Colin's wild side came out and he decided to take on the Lion's tail.
The Lion, played by Stephen Davies, however brushed it off with aplomb and gave the show one of its stand-out performances, with a terrific costume and slapstick acting.
Dorothy, played by the young Hannah Bowen, was also excellent, with a strong voice able to hit the high notes of Somewhere Over the Rainbow and an acting performance reminiscent of Judy Garland in the movie classic.
Emma Burrows, who previously appeared in Tadlop's Calamity Jane in the main role was hardly recognisable as the Wicked Witch of the West and was a suitably pantomime villain.
Despite a few missed lines, a bit of scene-stealing by Colin the dog and a point where the Witch's guards struggled to find their way through the stage curtain, the issues of the night could probably be put down to first night nerves.
On the whole, a fantastic looking show, which is sure to transport the family to the land of Oz.
The Wizard of Oz will be playing at The Place theatre in Oakengates at 7.30pm for the rest of the week, until Saturday and will also have a 2.30pm matinee performance on Saturday afternoon.
By Sophie Madden
