The Wizard of Oz

Our own "Wizard of Oz" was staged in December '08 at The Little Theatre,

Hiddingh Campus University of Cape Town.

Pinelands Players first staged the Wizard in 1983 at The Victory Hall in Pinelands.

It was our 60th Anniversary Production so all the stops were pulled out to make it a real glitzy & glamorous affair!

The Production team were:

Director : Clifford Graham

Musical Director: Justin Wardle

Choreographer : Roxy Levy

Production Manager: Tina Gough

Set Design: Jack Mathee

Stage Manager: Andrew Whitelaw

The cast…(In order of appearance)

Dorothy Gale : Ami-Rose Barber / Christine Thonnissen *

Aunt Em / Glinda the Good Witch: Laura Bosman

Uncle Henry: Andrew Whitelaw

Zeke: David Bolton

Hunk: Greg Tinney

Hickory: Bruce Clayton

Miss Elmira Gultch / Wicked Witch : Roche Haupt

Prof. Marvel / Gatekeeper / Wizard of Oz: Simon Speck

Scarecrow: Greg Tinney

Tinman: Bruce Clayton

Cowardly Lion: David Bolton

Jitterbug: Roxane Hayward

Winkie General: Clifford Graham

Nikko: Cayleigh Stefano / Douglas Middlebrook

* Role played on an alternate performance basis

Munchkins:

Ami- Rose Cast:

Mayor: Douglas Middlebrook

Coroner: Alex Middlebrook

Barrister: Kirstie Pienaar

Tots:

Emma Reitstein

Gabrielle Botha

Rebecca Haines

Tough Guys:

Jessica Funston

Alexandra Clayton

Holly Hendrikse

Munchkins:

Lauren Pienaar

Joelle Verfaille

Kendra Saunders

Abigail van den Hoven

Julia Thorne

Samantha Erlank

Laura Troost

Munchkins:

Christine Cast:

Mayor: Cayleigh Stefano

Coroner: Tori Warner

Barrister: Milenka Cartwright

Tots:

Mia van Aardt

Michaela Symons

Fulvia Marchesini

Tough Guys:

Jenna Wood

Victoria Deary

Bianka Sass

Munchkins:

Elsie Sholto douglas

Frances Sholto Douglas

Sara Kamboj

Kayla Marian

Claudia Dyer

Bryony Bosman

Shannon Sissons

Lieske Bester reviews

THE WIZARD OF OZ. Directed by Clifford Graham for Pinelands Players. Choreographed by Roxy Levy. Musical Director Justin Wardle. The Little Theatre, Orange Street Gardens, Cape Town until Saturday 20 December
Bookings 072 923 1035.

This splendid production of a one hundred and eight years old much-loved classic celebrates in grand style 60 years of Theatre Tradition by Pinelands Players, the oldest dramatic society in the Western Cape.

Right from the start it is clear that all the stops have been pulled out by a gifted and committed director and crew and an equally talented and exuberant cast to do full justice to the famous musical.

Musical backing is supportive but never overwhelming, Jack Matthee's deceptively simple set, decorated by June Wells, provides an enchanting frame for every scene, enhanced by Daniel Galloway's lighting design.

Mandrie Haupt, Karin Matthee and Jan Barber have conjured up an array of delightful costumes and Jack Matthee also shows his magic touch in the large number of special props. Guilma Stander's very clever character make-up for Dorothy's three companions deserves a special mention. Top of the pops is Roxy Levy's choreography that inspires and fires up a pace that never slackens.

And that's just for starters.

Christine Thonissen is sweet, naïve, feisty, with a voice that carries the Judy Garland numbers with aplomb. The Straw Man (Greg Tinney), Tin Man (Bruce Clayton) and the Cowardly Lion (David Bolton) have strong and melodious voices that sound great in solos and their harmonised unison. They also convincingly hit the poignant and humorous notes in the verbals on cue.

As the Wicked Witch of the West, Roché Haupt powerfully and seductively strides across the stage, Laura Bosman sparkles as the pretty (and giggly) Good Witch of the North and Simon Speck acquits himself admirably three times over.

The Munchkins are a burst of well harnessed sunny energy; their choral harmony and synchronised movement a pure delight. All the young ones act, sing and sometimes dance up a storm. The Jitterbug number is another delightful outstanding piece of choreography and execution.

It may seem a lengthy show to the attention span challenged viewer of today, but the ageless values of wisdom, love and valour deserve a bit of extra playing time!

If any current theatrical offering fits the bill for a special treat, this presentation of L Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz must be it.