Wizard of Oz

Ok a disclaimer before I start. This is my first ever review so be nice to me! I am not associated with any MPAC performances past or present. I do however know 3 people in the lead cast. This is my opinion only. I do not claim that I could do better than those on stage. I am stating as an audience member. I will be typing in internet grammar not correct letter type formal grammar so don’t bag me out. I forgot to bring the programme with me so I hope that I get actors names correct. Ok that being said – here goes! I saw the performance of Wizard of Oz last night (Thursday 25 Jan 08). I came away feeling uplifted, excited and couldn’t sleep for ages on returning home (thank you! I had to get up at 5am for work). I think this is proof that overall it was a fantastic show. Dorothy was played by Ali Hill (one of the performers I know so Ill try my hardest to be unbias). Ali captured the innocence and frightened form of Dorothy shadowing the performance by the original Judy Garland. Yes I believe she did take her inspiration from the movie – but hey ‘why fix it if it ain’t broke”! My opinion is that the professionals did it that way for a reason. It is because of them that Wiz of Oz is now famous so if you can carry off the same personality and characterisation as they did, you are on the right track. Ali’s voice is so pure and crisp and really is her god given talent. She looked that part, she sounded the part and she played the part. I am so proud to know you. Best Bit: Her accent. It blew me away with accuracy. Scarecrow (Kim Goldeman). His singing voice was right on the mark. The lack of control in his legs (and therefore 100% control!) delighted both me and the children around me. I was disappointed that most of his face was covered by the hat/straw. I’m sure his facial expressions would’ve been equally as impressive as his body language. His interaction with Dorothy was very loving and convincing. There were two little boys infront of me that – at interval – were saying Scarecrow was their favourite. Enough said! Best Bit: Flexibility in his legs. Were you made of straw??? Tinman (Jessie Angus). I have never seen Jessie perform before but I was aware of his reputation before seeing the show last night. Therefore I think I may have viewed his performance more critical than the others – for this I apologise. I had also read the reviews regarding his costume, so was waiting to see that. I think if I hadn’t read the negative reviews regarding the tinmans costume I would’ve been quite ok with it. I cannot find anything bad in Jessies performance. He was obviously a stable/anchor point on stage. This being the person that may not necessarily be the star of the show but is the glue that keeps the show rolling for the audience. Best Bit: His opening scene as tinman. You gave the character the familiarity I was craving. Lion (Darren Bilston DAZZAB!). I only know Dazza through his posts on this forum (and will not change my review just because I know he will read it) and his reputation. Darren was my favourite out of the three males. His portrayal of the Lion made me cry with laughter. His ‘Ruummff Rummmff’ gave me an insane giggle each time. The lion was another character that was in line with the movie version. And for this I thank you. Your interaction with Dorothy was the kindest and most caring out of the three – however this may be due to the character you were playing. Your singing voice could not be faulted. It is unusual in amateur shows for an actor to be able to speak and sing in the same accent. You pulled this off with complete accuracy. Yes your costume did make you look like a man in a lions outfit – exactly the whole point of the story line. King of the Forest is usually the part in the movie that I fastfwd. Because I couldn’t fastfwd you last night I had to watch it – and THANK GOODNESS for that! It was amazing. One of the top 3 songs of the night. My only correction would be to make your moves slightly larger or more pronounced – due to the fact your costume was obviously so large, maybe some of your more subtle movements were lost. Best Bit: every time you Rummffed Wicked Witch (Carole Dhu). (I have worked with Carole before – will try to be unbias). This is the first time I have seen Carole on stage that I didn’t recognise her instantly CONGRATS costuming. I agree with above posts that her character was more funny than scary (I used to be petrified of the witch!) but as also mentioned in above posts this would’ve been fault in the script not Caroles performance. The role of the wicked witch is made for Carole. She looks exactly the part – hrmmm I don’t know if that is a compliment! Sorry Carole! I preferred her performance as Miss Gultch – she made me angry taking Toto away. Like always Carole pulled off her part with such professionalism. I am disappointed in the way she died. I’m Melting…MELTING….hello??? I think freezing her character was a bad choice by the director. When you have such convincing effects the whole way through the show why in the world did the director decide to have her freeze at the end. Caroles frame is small enough that if she had slid to the ground she would’ve been lost under her cloak and therefore would’ve looked ‘melted’. This really made the show hit an anticlimax for me. Broke the magic. Also the bucket of water thrown on her had no water in it??? So for the children that didn’t know the story – they didn’t know what had happened. I understand the danger of water on stage but surely ½ a litre of water (*cough Singin in the Rain cough*) wouldn’t have caused harm and then be mopped up by a Winkie/Winkie Hat. OR even have Dorothy throw the water (non existence) from downstage facing back toward the witch then you wouldn’t need water at all. I don’t know the answer – but I do know that what was done, didn’t work. Best Bit: Riding around and around as Miss Gultch. Glinda (Karen Godfrey). Glinda is my least favourite character IN THE MOVIE. So Im glad Karen did not play the role as per the movie. I agree with an above post that she mustve taken her inspiration from Glinda in ‘Wicked’. Lovely voice. Good performance. Best Bit: I want that crown! Uncle Henry (Sorry I do not know actors name). Very good portrayal of a character I totally forgot existed! Your interaction with the audience was very welcomed by them. I loved you getting in the face of Miss Gultch. And you played the role of the guard without any fault. Best Bit: “Can’t you read the sign” – but then again this bit always makes me laugh in the movie too…I was an easy audience member! Wizard (Lawrence _____). It is obvious that Lawrence is a very very talented actor. He played the role of the Wizard beautifully. However – he shouldve been aged more. He looked younger than the three male leads. Surely the people/person doing the casting could’ve found an older man to play this role? There is always an abundance of (eekkk im going to get in trouble) very mature men in theatre. But they didn’t – so back to Lawrence. He was both charming and mysterious – not to mention extremely good looking. He gave off warmth and had charisma that all actors wish they were born with. Congratulations on a captivating performance. Best Bit: The intensity in your stare out at the audience spellbinding. Winkies. I disliked the Winkies. I thought it dropped the level of the show and reminded us that it was an amateur show. But is there anything wrong with that? Of course not. Some people just need a little more guidance and im sure under the right direction that lead winkie would flourish – stick with it, you have great comic timing. HOWEVER on saying this – it seemed that the Winkies were LOVED by the rest of the audience. They received the most laughter and applause through the show. I am one person with one view. The laughter and applause should be your reward – not the review of one person. Best Bit: The lead winkies legs swaying sidways The monkey Niko – I will not review as this character as Ben is like a baby brother to me. Other than…yet again I was astounded by your agility and flexibility on stage. You are a pure star. Other points: - I wish we had seen Toto a little more…so did the children around me. I understand the difficulty of this – but I believe it could’ve been achieved a few more times. - Im am 100% a green eyed monster when it comes to the MPAC sets. Grrrr amateur theatre shouldn’t have that much cash to play with…hehehehe I say this in jest and totally jealousy. - I cannot comment on the orchestra as I have zero experience in this field. I did notice how your timing on sound effect was perfect. - I think some of the little bits and pieces worked like the Dragonflys…but some didn’t…the white rabbit? (buoy on a stick) If you can have a roof fly from the house – surely you can buy a toy rabbit? A few of the little bits like this did distract from the actors BUT the kids loved it – so no complaints from me – it just would’ve annoyed me had I been on stage. - The Munchkins were great – kudos to the little boy with the flowers on his shoes…you were exactly munchkin-like. - I make no judgement on the tech side - again i have zero experience in this field. Usual mic probs - which were dealt with quickly and efficiently. Lights although maybe a little boring at times - worked well. All in all…a fantastic night out for $25. Congrats to MPAC for yet another amazing community performance. xxx