Uplifiting journey to Oz is a Christmas treat
Will Knights, Rachel Flynn, Daniel Bailey and Marc Akinfolarin in PFT’s Wizard of Oz technicolour psychoactive snow: there was vivid acting, impressive moving spectacles and every impossible beast and bug that Dorothy and her three pals met was bright and boldly spectacular.
The deleted ‘Jitterbug’ scene of the original movie was back and PFT’s flapping beetles did it so energetically, it was giddy beyond belief.
One aspect of the PFT show that has been excitedly talked about in past weeks of rehearsal is the inclusion of so many young local children. Not only did brave director Gemma choose to cast two living, breathing Totos, but she trained up 25 fantastic mini cast members who were worth their weight (and the Lion’s) in gold.
The Munchkin folk were not a grotesque midget army as I remember from the film - the gang we saw here were immaculately dressed and dignified micro-adults, with everything a soothing shade of palest blue.
Miniature pillbox hats and matching gloves are a rare call in most wardrobe departments, I’d guess.
Gemma’s Munchkin folk spoke, sang and danced with masterful confidence and won huge admiration from the audience for more than just their cutefactor.
Witches Camille Marmié (the wicked one of the west) and Sarah Galbraith (nice north lady Glinda) came and went in the style of panto goodies and baddies, drawing suitable reactions from the packed rows of seats on the 500-seat theatre.
When real Toto could not manage the bangs and crashes on stage, actress and creative Scarlett Maltman operated a wonderfully waggy and intelligent cloth version which worked a treat.
Rachel Flynn as Dorothy perfectly acted the troubled teen living with relatives who can’t be expected to understand very well.
Her hallucination (it was all in her head, right?) would have given psychotherapists a field-day and she matured in common sense and plucky determination with every scene.
Rachel evoked a warmth for her travelling companions that was matched in their friendship and loyalty