The Wonderful Wizard of Oz comes to Sutton (From Sutton Guardian)
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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz comes to the Secombe Theatre in Sutton
9:53am Friday 23rd November 2012 in Freetime By Sophia Sleigh, Reporter
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz comes to Sutton
We’re off to see the wizard, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, writes Sophia Sleigh.
L. Frank Baum’s adventure novel will be brought to life in a pantomime next month sprinkled with Christmas magic.
The Wonderful World of Oz follows on from Polka Dot Pantomimes spectacular performance of Cinderella last year.
The panto is based on the original story about Dorothy, a little girl from Kansas, and her dog Toto who get caught up in a tornado and transported to the land of Oz.
The panto will follow Dorothy as she travels along the yellow brick road to find the Wizard of Oz who everyone says will help her get home.
She meets a whole horde of friends and foes along her journey including Scarecrow, Tin Man and of course the Cowardly Lion and they battle with a nasty witch in order to find a brain, a heart, courage and a home.
Producer Darren Maddison says: "We have 10 days of rehearsals so it is quite intensive. We start on December 10 but they all have scripts and music.
"We have also got teams of local children which we did auditions for and they start rehearsals next weekend.
"Most of the principals have West End experience and Radio Jackie presenter, Nicola Hume, is playing the wicked witch.
"We have a couple on a P&O cruise liner they have been travelling the world with them.
"We are really thrilled with the standard of it. It is good fun but hard work.
"It is definitely something that is suitable for the whole family. It is a real feel-good show."
A total of 70 local children were auditioned in June and were whittled down to 32 to make a team of Munchkins and Ozians.
Maddison adds: "They have all done incredibly well to get into the production. There is definitely a lot of talent there."
The performance is suitable for everyone from six years old to 106.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Secombe Theatre, 42 Cheam Road, Sutton; December 18-24, times vary, £13, £11 child, £44 family; call 020 8770 6990 or email suttontheatres.co.uk.
