“Welcomed by the Chair of Spotlight, Barbara Warren at the door, mic at the ready to go onstage, I was shown once again the amazing work that smaller theatre groups put into their productions on such tight budgets. Using very impressive scenic projections throughout, mixed with some very clever stage craft, using props and some outstanding puppets all made in house, as Dorothy, Tin Man, Lion and Scarecrow were transported off course on their way back to Kansas in a whirlwind, to arrive in Wonderland.

I must make special mention to Sue Taylor, who made all the costumes (and there were lots of them and all excellent), stage props, and, finally, designed and made all the high-quality puppets! This must have taken months of work. She deserves so much credit for this outstanding piece of artistic creativity. With a Dormouse, Humpty Dumpty, March Hare, Caterpillar and 3x Cheshire Cats (3 to create a very good disappearing and popping up elsewhere on-stage scene), this brought a whole new dimension to the magic of the show. However, trumping them all, was a huge, wonderful puppet depicting the wizard.

This was a very colourful and happy production with some lovely humorous moments. Daisy Knight as White Rabbit ran around frantically from beginning to end and summed up the energy of this production throughout. Stu Precious was suitably eccentric as the Mad Hatter, joined by Eden Jermany as the March Hare. Eden was superb throughout having the puppet hare attached to her and never switched off once in what must have been tricky making the puppet come to life. The humour between these two was very funny, in particular the moment where the Mad Hatter gave the Hare a cup of tea to drink, and the Hare sat cross legged supping the tea. As the baddy of the piece, the Queen of Hearts, Zina Vaitkeviciene delivered another very good performance.

As for Tweedle Dee (Hannah Guntrip), and Tweedle Dum (Sam Bailey), both were hilarious, and they were also excellent in the other scenes that they popped up in.

Spencer Botley as the Tin Man was a delightful, warm characterisation, having to stand rigid for quite a long period whilst “rusted” under the spotlights in full costume on a very warm summers evening must have been sweltering. The same could be said for Lion (Richard Shakespeare), and Scarecrow (Heidi Rix), who, with Tin Man, were perfect as the friends of Dorothy.

Dorothy (Molly Rix), and Alice (Eve Davis), were both excellent throughout, and both had strong vocals throughout-I particularly enjoyed “Will We Ever See Home Again?” with the two singing and supported by the Lion, Scarecrow and Tin Man.

Finally, playing Glinda, Tiffany Campbell-Smith was brilliant, lovely vocals, the duet with I’m Just a Girl” with Alice a very touching moment.

With a large company supporting, operating puppets, dancing, singing and playing the smaller roles, this was a very happy show, and the cast looked like they were having a wonderful time.

My congratulations to Director Charlotte Taylor-Hughes, MD Adam Kellingray-Williamson, and Choreographer Clare Morrison, and everyone else involved.”

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