See pictures, production team, cast lists, read reviews and browse the show programme
Director – Russell Langdown
Musical Director – Malcolm Webb
Associate Director – Sandra Gilbert
Choreographer – Gemma Short
Technical Stage Manager – Sarah Wrixon
Chorus Mistress – Judith Sharp
Performed at: The Wyvern Theatre
“The Wizard of Oz” Principal Cast
| Dorothy | Sally Rudd |
| The Wizard of Oz / Professor Marvel | Ray Dance |
| Scarecrow | Tony Asprey |
| Tinman | Christopher King |
| Lion | Stuart Dark |
| Aunt Em / Glinda | Judith Sharp |
| Uncle Henry / Guard | Chris Coleman |
| The Wicked Witch of the West / Miss Gultch | Nicola Burridge |
Members of the Company
Alex Barrett, Martyn Brown, Luke Browne, Ethan Corfield, Tom Fisher, Ethan Hughes, Martin Lawrence, Mark Newton, Nicky Ashdown, Sarah Asprey, Carrie Barras, Becci Benson, Jill Carter, Jenny Harber, Carol Jeffcutt, Lucy Jenkins, Taylor Lynch, Chelsea Millard, Wendy Skane
Children’s Ensemble
Priya Bagga, Poppy Bartoszewska, Ellie Benge, Clara Black, Matilda Blake, Isla Clements, Megan Cuthbert, Winnie Diggens, Memphis Dixon, Mia Hayward, Kelsey Husband, Molly Lovegrove, Rhiannon Mackay, Matilda Robison, Ruby Roche, Kimmy Shopland, Georgia Skinner, Meghan Williams, Kody Bowler, Reese Carter, Faye Collins, Megan Dalton, Jessica Dunn, Poppy Fox-Thompson, Freddy Fox-Thompson, Evie-Rose Gaywood, Lexie Hammond, Kyle Iles, Ella Jones, Alexia Kuchta, Megan Leigh, Oliver Moore, Molly Portlock, Georgia Sims, Gabriella Virgilio
Picture Gallery – Photos by Jake Wadley
Trailer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v5JhxSse54ArC5lc4mfR6fzRAWNeSX65/view?usp=sharing
NODA Review & Awards Nomination
SALOS is delighted to learn that ‘The Wizard of Oz’ has been nominated for two NODA awards for the South West region in 2016.
Our nominations are for: ‘Technical Achivement’ and ‘Oustanding Choreography’.
Well done to everyone involved in the show, but particularly to our Stage Manager, Sarah Wrixon, and Choreographer, Gemma Short.
The winners will be announced at the NODA Awards evening in Bristol in March 2017.
SALOS were proud to be nominated for Best Musical and win an Achievement award for our previous production of ‘Sister Act’ (pictured left).
Review from NODA
Review of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ from Swindon Advertiser (Oct 2016)
After last year’s splendid offering from SALOS I wondered how they could possible better it with this year’s production, The Wizard Of Oz. It is a completely different genre to last year’s Sister Act and very much more of a children’s favourite. It doesn’t have quite the same wow factor, but instead a kind of ‘niceness’, if that makes sense. As with a lot of amateur companies in our town the talent on stage is undoubtedly good. The stalwarts of the society, such as Ray Dance and Judith Sharp, always give excellent performances in whatever role they play. This was no exception. Ray was in the title role of the Wizard and also Professor Marvel while Judith played Aunt Em and Glinda.
Directed once again by Russell Langdown and choreographed by Gemma Short, this very technical production didn’t have the huge chorus numbers that last year’s show had. However, the numbers that were in this one showcased the talents of the young children in the cast and also the adults, who always give it their all.
The iconic role of Dorothy was played by Sally Rudd. Her acting and singing ability had me believing in her from the start. Tony Asprey, who is making a welcome return to the SALOS stage after an absence of many years, played a good scarecrow and Christopher King was just right as the Tin Man.
Stuart Dark played the role of the Cowardly Lion with so much panache that he had me hooked from the start. I have seen Stuart play many roles in many genres but I think this was made for him; not only in characterisation but in singing voice too. Good direction and choreography added to the delightful staging of their work together.
The orchestra, conducted by MD Malcolm Webb, were good, although at times a little loud, especially at the beginning. Nicola Burridge epitomised the Wicked Witch Of The West. I was informed this was her first role on stage. Well done to her. And what can I say about the cute and cuddly dog Indy, as Toto? The children in the audience loved her and so did I. Sally Rudd and all the other cast members did a grand job of looking after her while she was on stage, which was for most of the production. She never flinched at any of the pyrotechnics or sudden movements.
Costume, sound and lighting all added to the magic and colour of the production. In the words of director Russell Langdown: “All creative teams and actors want to put their own interpretation on a production”. Well, SALOS certainly did that as always. Did I enjoy it? Yes, it has lots to offer. ROS HOLLANDS
SALOS search for Children’s Cast
On 2nd May, SALOS hosted theatrical workshops for children aged 7 yrs and over where they were coached by our Production Team in drama, singing and dancing. From this workshop, SALOS have cast 40 children who will perform as a Children’s Ensemble in the forthcoming production of ‘The Wizard of Oz.’
