Audiences off to see the wizard as Bridgnorth theatre company stages shows

Audiences will be off to see the wizard when Bridgnorth Musical Theatre Company (BMTC) performs The Wizard of Oz at the leisure centre in a series of shows from February 18 to 22.

Jess Knowles, playing the part of Dorothy, will be following the yellow brick road with the Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion in their search for the Emerald City.

Joseph Childs, who has been with BMTC since he was a junior, is playing the part of the loose limbed Scarecrow.

The Lion is played by Jez Mann, whose previous successes with BMTC include Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Bill Sykes in Oliver and Daddy Warbucks in Annie.

They will be joined by Neil Bultitute as the Tinman in his first major role for BMTC.

Michael Payne, from the theatre company, said: "We've been busy putting the finishing touches to the The Wizard of Oz, and 80 years after Judy Garland appeared as Dorothy in the original film, our imaginative director Louise Welsby is putting her own stamp on this timeless classic."

The journey to Oz will undoubtedly be made difficult by the dastardly plans of the Wicked Witch of the West, but aided by the good witch Glinda who uses her magic to help them on their way. These parts are played by Ellie Madden and Becky Adams who were also rivals in last year's show, Half a Sixpence.

There are matinee performances on February 19 and 22, as well as evening performances February 18 through to 22.

Tickets can be purchased from Bridgnorth Leisure Centre or by calling 01746 761541.

The company recently staged a successful production of the comedy Cheshire Cats in which a group of intrepid women try to raise money for a breast cancer charity.

This followed on from its successful main show, Half a Sixpence, in February.

Members of the company also raised money for the charity Headcase in last year’s Bridgnorth Walk.