We all know the story of Dorothy’s search for the Emerald City as a means to get her back home to Kansas and her entourage their individual wishes granted. Bringing colour to this storyline was a variety of Munchkins, dancers, singers, bluebirds, monkeys and bats. Costume designer, Lynda McPherson, assisted by Rosemary Donald and Sally Doherty, had obviously spent a lot of time on the costumes which were full of colour. Choreographer, Rachel Nicholson, has a rare talent for dance production and presentation. There must have been half a dozen pieces of tightly rehearsed dance which neatly dovetailed with the story, each element being carried off with aplomb.

It’s normally the adult actors that carry shows like this, with the youngsters fitting in around them playing mainly minor roles. This show was quite different in that the youngsters carried off a variety of parts, some large, some small that put the adults into the shadows at times.

Our Munchkins were wonderfully animated and led by Irina Earnshaw and Fergus Lawrie, young actors with a variety of stage experience and burgeoning ability. There were two nice vignettes from young Alistair Lee (a character actor in the making) as the Doctor and Chamberlain. The two “good witches” (Rachel Nicholson and Rachael Anderson) would make an excellent comedy duo – timing and expression were excellent. Dorothy (Hannah Brown) also struck the right note – literally, as she has a stunningly good singing voice. The role of Dorothy is shared with Anna Robertson and carried out with equal professionalism and talent.

Not to be outdone the more senior members of the cast saw the wonderfully evil Eva Bisset as Olga who engaged superbly with the audience. And there were the usual nicely worked performances from Keith Lomas as the Cowardly Lion and Robert Barr as a suitably wizened Wizard.

But for me, the real star of the show was the Scarecrow played by young Oenone Kubie. Oenone held what is best described as an eclectic group of adults playing Aunt Em, the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man and Elvis (well, why not, it’s Christmas!) together. She conveyed just the right degree of energy and innocence, with facial expression, movement and voice used perfectly and, most importantly, she kept the story flowing. She clearly enjoys being on stage and has that oft sought and rarely seen stage “presence”. This and the sharpness of mind to get her fellow thespians out of several sticky moments in the second act – another truly rare talent!

It may be a something of an outdated institution, but the good old British pantomime can still entertain. More importantly, it allows youngsters, such as these in Tweed Theatre, the chance to try out live theatre before a supportive audience of friends and relatives. When you see the pleasure and confidence it brings these budding thespians, you know the many hours spent rehearsing and coaching them has all been worthwhile. And you are also helping create the next generation of performers that will keep theatres such as the Eastgate packed out in the years to come.

Director: Sue Tickner
Producer: Gordon Russell