North Shore Theatre Company: The Wizard of Oz - Review by Selina Wong

North Shore Theatre Company’s production of The Wizard of Oz, directed by Luke Brattoni was simply spectacular! Brattoni’s artistic vision magically unfolded as a production full of laughs, magic and a feast for the senses. While the production paid homage to the original film, the cast, choreography, lighting, screen and costumes of NSTC made it their own. 

Sarah Elliot as Dorothy took on a huge role with stunning vocals. Her on stage manner, dancing and acting really characterised Dorothy as sweet and naive. Elliot’s rendition of the iconic Somewhere Over the Rainbow was a crowd favourite and her versatility showcased the light and shade of Elliot’s vocals. Peter Hellier who played Zeke and the Cowardly Lion delivered a strong performance. It was uncanny how much Hellier mirrored the original Lion in his voice, vocals and the sheepish manner of clutching his tail. His commanding vocals and on stage presence made If I Were King Of The Forest a clear crowd favourite. 

I adored what Holly Miller brought to the character of Hickory and Tin Man. From the moment Tin Man tried to communicate with Dorothy and Scarecrow, I knew Miller would play an interesting character to watch. She nailed the concise and rotational joint moves when Tin Man became rusted and infused the role with authenticity and a character filled with hope. My personal favourite was Alexander Whitbourn who played the hilarious, clumsy and ever loyal Scarecrow. I was already in stitches over Whitbourne’s twangy Kansas tone when he played Hunk. Much to the embarrassment of my daughter, my loud cackling continued due to Whitbourn’s slapstick humour and goofy smile. The chemistry between all four characters made their friendship and journey of self discovery convincing. All four were perfectly cast. 

Andrea Ginsberg brought sass and flair to both Aunt Em and Glinda. Her all knowing facials and tension between the Wicked Witch was highly entertaining. Alicia Benson absolutely nailed the character of Miss Gulch and the Wicked Witch. I just couldn’t get enough of her comical moves and evil laugh.  Raul-Xavior Garcia as Uncle Henry and the Guard brought an enigmatic side to The Land of Oz. Joe Walsh had the amazing knack to truly taking the show to a different time and place through his mannerisms and voice of Professor Marvel and the Wizard of Oz. 

Every single member of the ensemble was so versatile. From vibrant Munchkins to jeering crows, the all singing and dancing ensemble seamlessly transported the audience from the Land of Oz, a forest, Emerald city to the Wicked Witch’s castle. Ranging from young children to adults, the ensemble are highly commended for their fast paced costume changes, styles of singing and various roles.

Rachael Hyland’s innovative choreography saw a diverse range of dancing styles, assistant director Kristin Kok’s role in creating the unique props and costumes made every character truly unique. Costuming for the Tinman, the eclectic Munchkins and the witch’s guards were very impressive. The sheer number of settings and scenes appeared seamless which is a testament to Christine Heard and Nina Tchan coordination and hard work. It is impossible not to praise the co musical directors Helen Howe and Jessica Tannous. The number of iconic hits alongside the timing of scene transitions and dialogue were executed well. Brattoni’s clever use of the screen, the lighting and special effects made the tornado, arrival of the witch and Scarecrow on fire very believable. 

The emergence of Wicked has no doubt made The Wizard of Oz popular through the generations. Congratulations to the North Shore Theatre Company! A truly wholesome and delightful show for all ages!