Over the Rainbow

This year’s LWC production of The Wizard of Oz takes us all on a meaningful journey along The Yellow Brick Road.

 

Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was first published in 1900 and over 125 years later, the moral of the story still holds true. When LWC brings the tale to life at The Haymarket in Basingstoke next week, the true meaning of the much-loved favourite will resonate for all of those involved.

 

Cast and crew will transport the audience from the centre of Basingstoke to rural Kansas at the turn of the 19^th century. There, we’ll meet Dorothy Gale and her faithful dog, Toto, who are dramatically swept away to an unfamiliar place during a cyclone.

 

They need to find their way home from this magical Land of Oz, but to do so takes brains, heart and courage – along with the help of a few strangers. The similarity between the moral of the story and the real-life experience of those treading the boards is striking.

 

“I can’t wait to get to show week, as much as it slightly terrifies me,” admits 4^th Former, Amber, who shares the lead role of Dorothy with one of her best friends, Faith. “I think once you get to show week, it becomes real and the show becomes alive… even the idea of getting to perform on stage gives me chills.”

   

Finding the bravery to get up on stage and perform is an experience that unites most of the cast, as is the newfound feeling it instils when you achieve it.

 

“The best role I have played at LWC so far was Francis Henshall in One Man, Two Guvnors,” explains Upper Sixth Former, Tilly. “Interacting in my own way with the audience was definitely the most enjoyable part of the experience. I got to change it up each night, which has dramatically improved my confidence on stage.”

 

In The Wizard of Oz, Tilly takes on the more mysterious role of The Wizard himself. “I particularly love his monologues and his sometimes-questionable word choices. He obviously tries to be more intellectual than he is, which is so fun to characterise in rehearsals.”

 

“I’d advise anyone to take part in the school musical at least once. The warmth and enthusiasm you feel from the first rehearsal to the very last show is something really special”

— Tilly

 

5^th Former Henry takes on the somewhat dour, yet caring persona of Dorothy’s Uncle Henry in the show and admits that he has also become more self-assured, having been in previous LWC productions.

 

“Last year, I performed in Bugsy Malone and had such a great time doing so. I spent a lot of time on stage, which boosted my confidence a lot,” he reveals.

 

“Playing the role that I do is definitely pushing me out of my comfort zone,” agrees Upper Sixth Former, Imogen. “What I love most about my character of the Wicked Witch is that in all of my drama experiences, I have never played a character quite like this. The biggest challenge has definitely been perfecting my evil cackle, which is something I’ve been working on to get it as good as Miss Reeks’!”

   

The learning we take away from L.Frank Baum’s original story is clear. Characters such as Tin Man, Scarecrow and Lion spend most of the tale in pursuit of traits that were within them all along – much like those taking to the stage next week, who initially admit to searching for the bravery to perform and brains to learn their lines, only to discover they were already there. Throughout the story, the kindness of strangers is also apparent and every LWC production similarly sees students from across year groups make friends for life, having been thrown together for the first time during rehearsals.

 

“The integration is a real highlight,” continues Imogen. “Rehearsals really bring the cast together.”

 

“I have become good friends with people I’d never really spoken to before,” reflects Amber. “It’s a great way to get to know others,” agrees her fellow Dorothy Gale, Faith. “Before coming to LWC, I came to watch the production of Oliver! and was blown away by how professional it was. I instantly knew that I wanted to be part of it. I love Dorothy’s determination and excitement.”

 

Many of the principal actors have also fallen in love with their roles. Suggestive that each part has a depth to it that they’ve enjoyed getting to grips with.

 

“I love Dorothy’s curiosity and liveliness,” continues Amber. “I see traits of myself in her as well, which makes me love playing her even more. She is bright and often misunderstood, but she soon finds herself again after going to Oz. She sees good in people and stands up for what she believes in, something I try to do as well.”

 

Both Amber’s sister, Lucy (who plays Scarecrow) and Natty (who features as Tin Man) also relish performing their roles, but because of the physical opportunities they bring.

 

“I can play around with Scarecrow’s movement,” admits 5^th Former Lucy. “I love how Tin Man’s movement is so restricted,” agrees fellow 5^th Former, Natty. “It means that you can really play around with the character. The biggest challenge is definitely getting all of the stiffness just right. From finding it difficult to move at the beginning, to easing up towards the end.” Natty is a veteran when it comes to LWC productions, having played the lead role in Oliver! two years ago and that of Fizzy in Bugsy Malone last year. “I love the atmosphere of the shows and the entire rehearsal process.”

 

Some characters come with their own challenges, of course. “Aunt Em’s accent has been tricky to learn and practise,” admits Lower Sixth Former, Ella. After all, there are few similarities between the dulcet tones of North East Hampshire and those of the American Midwest.

   

For 5^th Former, Emilia, who plays Lion, it’s not only the spoken word which has proven tricky to grasp. “The biggest challenge in playing Lion is characterising the songs,” she admits and 4^th Former, Chloe is intent on focusing on her own targets, as she takes the role of Glinda. “I need to make sure I use gestures, because she’s very expressive, eccentric and funny.”

 

Finding the qualities they need to succeed, in the company of (sometimes) strangers, is something the 80-strong cast and crew for The Wizard of Oz have already achieved and next week (if they didn’t already know it), they’ll discover there’s no place quite like being at home, on stage.

 

“I feel excited because of the amount of adrenaline I get when I’m up there,” continues Chloe.

 

“It’s something I can’t emulate anywhere else,” concludes LWC’s Wizard, Tilly. “I’d advise anyone to take part in the school musical at least once. The warmth and enthusiasm you feel from the first rehearsal to the very last show is something really special.”

 

The Lord Wandsworth College production of The Wizard of Oz runs from Wednesday, 21st to Friday, 23rd January at The Haymarket, Basingstoke.