LEISURE: On the Yellow Brick Road with Broadway’s youth group

THE long-term future of the Broadway Amateur Theatrical Society is in safe hands thanks to the hugely talented members of its youth section.

The youth group of BATS put on three outstanding performances of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz at Broadway Village Hall on Friday, May 20, 2016, and Saturday, May 21, 2016.

The production was a first-time for Lisa Souster as director and she was thrilled with the show’s success.

“What a great experience I have had directing a show for the first time,” she said. “The Wizard of Oz has always been my favourite childhood musical and I now have been able to bring it to life on stage.”

Lisa added: “We have an amazing junior cast – whom I have been extremely proud of – and have enjoyed every minute working with.”

While Lisa said she enjoyed working with the young cast – it looked as if the young cast aged from five to 14 years loved every minute being on stage.

PHOTO - TOP: The cast of The Wizard of Oz - performed by youth group members of the Broadway Amateur Theatrical Society.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Jess Withers as Dorothy with Toto the dog.

Jess Withers took the lead role of Dorothy and was ably supported by George Souster as The Scarecrow, Jack Souster as Tin Man and Tiegan Owen as The Lion.

There were also good performances from Lorna Warren as the Good Witch Glinda, Heidi Warren as the Wicked Witch of the West and Beth Young as the Wizard of Oz.

But there were a lot more stage performers along the Yellow Brick Road with the Munchkins and the citizens of the Emerald City and they all played their parts in making sure the show was a success.

The show was an abundance of brains, hearts and courage – just as Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion would have wanted.

PHOTO - LEFT: Heidi  Warren as the Wicked Witch of West.

The cast: Dorothy – Jess Withers; The Scarecrow/Mr Crowe – George Souster; Tin Man/Mr Woodman – Jack Souster; The Lion/My Lyon – Tiegan Owen; Glinda/Emerald Citizen – Lorna Warren; Wicked Witch/Miz Switch – Heidi Warren; Aunt Em/Ogma – Lily Cumming; Uncle Henry/Emerald Citizen – Storm Lamb; Wizard of Oz – Beth Young; Mille Munchkin/Ozma – Lola Russell; Merry Munchkin/Emerald Citizen – Sienna Potter; Mooch Munchkin/Emerald Citizen – Ava Saunders; Munch Munchkin/Emerald Citizen, Olly Withers; Milton Munchkin/Emerald Citizen – Abigail Russell; Milburn Munchkin/Kadabra – Milly Tucker; Missy Munchkin/Ozma – Kelsey Potter; Moody Munckin/Abra – Isla Gibson; Milford Munchkin/Oswald – Sophie Clements; Melinda Munchkin/Ozmary – Savannah Lamb; Minnie Munchkin/Ozark – Ella de Warren-Penny; Mayor Munchkin/Boo – Holly Tucker; Ozra Pocus – Hatty Withers; Octas/Hocus – Poppy Lankester; Bippity/Emerald Citizen – Martha Keitch; Boppity/Emerald Citizen – Charlotte Saunders.

Most of the children were playing three or even four or more roles – but just their main characters are listed above.

Production Team: Director – Lisa Souster; musical director – Jackie Lankester; producer – Christine Trueman; sound – Graham Reeks; music – Julie Dunn; lighting – Nick Urch; stage management – Mark Savill, Viv Cumming; costumes – Jane Brown, Carol Crane; continuity – Carol Rice; dressers and make-up – Jo de Warren Penny and parents; publicity – Christine Trueman; prompt – Jackie Lankester; front of house – Maurice Baigent, Jo Warren and Roger Allen; refreshments – Mandy Wildman and friends; bar – Paul Trueman, Phil de Warren Penny, Ron James; raffle – Vera Pharoah, BATS members and friends.

More photos from the show can be found on these links:

Photo Gallery 1: http://www.ilminsterpress.co.uk/blog/2016/05/21/wonderful-wizard-of-oz-part-1-may-2016/ .

Photo Gallery 2: http://www.ilminsterpress.co.uk/blog/2016/05/21/wonderful-wizard-of-oz-part-2-may-2016/ .

Photo Gallery 3: http://www.ilminsterpress.co.uk/blog/2016/05/21/wonderful-wizard-of-oz-part-3-may-2016/ .

Photo Gallery 4: http://www.ilminsterpress.co.uk/blog/2016/05/21/wonderful-wizard-of-oz-part-4-may-2016/ .

If anyone would like to order photos from the show – please look here http://www.ilminsterpress.co.uk/order-photos/ for further details.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Dorothy (Jess Withers) with Toto the dog and Tin Man (Jack Souster), The Lion (Tiegan Owen) and The Scarecrow (George Souster).

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Leisure.