PLAYTIME THEATRE COMPANY’S DRAMA WORKSHOP PRODUCTION OF THE WIZARD OF OZ

For three days last week the Arden Theatre in Faversham became a land inhabited by witches, wizards and Munchkins as the Whitstable based Playtime Theatre Company’s Drama Workshop group staged a rollicking version of the Wizard of Oz.

Up to sixty children from 4 to 16 years of age took to the stage and presented, what everyone who saw it agreed, was a splendid version of this much loved story.

In the role of Dorothy, the heroine who journeys through the Land of Oz in search of the Wizard, Megan Meeks gave a strong performance both in her acting and singing. She was well supported by Oliver Pilcher as the brainless Scarecrow, Daniel Hedley Smith as the rusty Tin Man and Katie Drinkwater as the Lion, too scared to roar. Her dog Toto had the distinction of a split personality being played both by Rebecca Elliott and Charlton Chopping.

As Dorothy and her motley companions journeyed through her dream world, they encountered a very pink Good Fairy, played by Kira Hedley Smith, a very unhelpful Door-Keeper to the Emerald City, played with aplomb by Henry Martin and an extremely Wicked Witch, played with gusto by Rebekah Turner, before arriving at the door of the famed Wizard of Oz, played by Ellen Robinson. Offering support along the way with a multitude of characters were Rachel Champkin and Jenney Pirbudak.

A host of Munchkins - infants on the first night and juniors on subsequent nights - threw themselves wholeheartedly into their roles, singing, dancing and providing some gems of humour. The magical staging which brought the whole production to life was designed and constructed by Nickolas Champion.

Script was by Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Woolf and the play was directed by Katie Shrubsole and Sara Kettlewell, and choreography & singing by Katie Shrubsole.

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Cast with Junior Munchkins !