Mrs Howe (Director of Drama and Dance)

Last week, our talented Years 9 to Upper Sixth students transported audiences to the wacky and colourful land of Oz. What play to choose for the Senior Production was a bit of a challenging decision against the backdrop of COVID. However, there was understandably a real appetite for something light-hearted, but with all comedy there is the opportunity to shine a light on sensitive issues so that we can process them and find understanding and empathy within the theatrical framework of a safe and collective shared experience.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Re-Imagined. Re-Twisted by Poet Caroline Bird allowed for just that cathartic experience, focusing as it does on the journey of a young girl who has lost her parents and must navigate her way through immense change, managing anger and disappointment along the way to ultimately find acceptance of her situation; themes that resonate greatly with what many of us have experienced throughout the pandemic.

The play also explored timely themes around diversity and inclusion, where Lions can fall in love with Squirrel Secretaries and Munchkins with Tin Men. As the play winds down to its conclusion, Dorothy faces the realisation that as the twister roared, she misheard the words of her Aunt Em: ‘With my ear to that chimney, I thought I heard my Aunt reject me. I’ve been holding that feeling ever since. Not good enough … But what if it’s not true? What if we’re actually completely fine? More than fine. Wonderful!’

The cast and crew were hugely impressive throughout the rehearsal process and live productions; I cannot thank them enough for their incredible spirit throughout the creative process. It has been fantastic to have the buzz of youthful creativity and imagination back in the department and we have had so much fun in bringing to life this wacky, re-imagined story of Dorothy and her intrepid friends Toto, Scarecrow, Nick Chopper and Lion.

With all that we have faced over the past year, it is truly our hope as a company that audiences came away from the shows feeling just a little bit ‘wonderful’.

View photos here.