The Wizard of Oz

I am well aware of the various tertiary training courses available to music theatre students, but less familiar with the options available for younger enthusiasts. So I was interested to see this offering from the Young Australian Broadway Chorus. They hold classes for five to eighteen-year-olds and obviously the advanced students end up participating in their major production.

And major it certainly was with a cast of “thousands”. Well it certainly appeared like that on the small stage at the Union Theatre. And what a talented bunch they were.

In a remarkably even cast, the outstanding components for me were the tight choreography, the powerful chorus singing and the colourful costumes. After attending an adult musical the night before where most of the chorus appeared to be rhythmically challenged, it was refreshing to see these energetic youngsters, who had obviously been well trained, and moved as one.

The chorus singing was equally impressive and powerful. The songs weren’t difficult, but when harmony was involved it was accurate. The costumes were very colourful and I loved the ones worn by the townsfolk of Oz who spent their entire stage time walking on their knees. It added an extra level.

The sets were basic but effective and changed quickly during blackouts. The direction was effective and there were quite a few entrances through the audience. The lighting was well handled. Backing tracks were used and no-one missed a beat.

Jaimee Bennetts was a charming Dorothy with a lovely voice and I was surprised to find she was already attending Monash University. She looked much younger. Adrian Agisilaou, Joseph Baldwin and Joshua Erdelyi-Götz were all outstanding as the lion, scarecrow and tinman with excellent voices. Jordie Race-Coldry played Toto the dog, and that worked well.

Stephanie Kavenagh was a suitably scary Wicked Witch of the West and Ruby Voss a charming Glinda.

At just over an hour this is ideal entertainment for younger people wondering what to do in the holidays.

Graham Ford

Photographer: Gary Richardson