What: Over the Rainbow
Where: Little Theatre McGrath St, Napier
When: Season has concluded
Napier Junior Frivs have chosen for their school holiday entertainment a stylish take on the timeless classic the `Wizard of Oz'.
Written by a Napier local Kay Mooney and tightly directed by Julie Smith, Napier
has never been better served with school holiday entertainment, than by this production.
Lydia Wilson as Dorothy gave a very mature and confident performance, along with a pleasant singing voice, she set the standard for her fellow cast members to follow and follow they did. Rhiann Baker as Toto projected well to her audience and was an excellent mover about the stage.
Dorothy and her friends are off seeking something from the mighty Wizard of Oz played with passion by Jamie Macphal, who defiantly was a surprise when he finally appeared and where he ended up after his balloon ride we can only imagine. The Lion played by Mandy Smith and the Scarecrow played by Carole Boswell gave the audience a well-balanced performance of singing, dancing and looking for that elusive object _ audience participation.
Standing out was Steve Driver as the Tin Man, who grabbed the audience in both hands from the first moment he appeared and never let them go. He sang and danced straight to our hearts and this performance was matched by Tiffany Heyworth as Glinda, who stole his heart given to him by the Wizard.
All shows of this nature need good and bad witches, Kasey Smith as the White Witch sang well and certainly was good but following her was Donna Smith as the bad witch, who took everything her production team gave her with superb costuming and lighting and stormed into the audience, scaring everybody around, including, I am sure, herself.
An ensemble containing soldiers, bats and naturally lots of Munchkins sang and danced in front of a simple but effective set to director Smith's and musical director Margaret MacKerra's high standards and they were rewarded with an excellent performance.
The production crew showed how easy it is to provide a magical setting using some clever sound and lighting and above all else imagination. Highlighting their effects was a magical dance by three skeletons, Zoe Frechttling, Taylor Hickmott and Kelsie Hawkins using some clever effects to provide a performance that long stayed in my mind.
Unfortunately this show has now ended after four performances, all played to packed houses with patrons being turned away each time. If the Junior Friv's are going to present performances to this standard they should consider providing the Napier public with a much longer season and did Dorothy get home? Well there is nothing like being offered to be `Queen of the Munchkins' to turn a girl's head.-->