‘The Wizard of Oz’ is the biggest single production Ballard has ever staged, with well over 200 pupils from Years 2 to 11. In addition, a large team of staff and alumni have collaborated in the process from its conception a year ago to the performances we are staging this week.
Pupils and staff have been involved in every part of the production, taking this much loved classic from page to stage. It was important to us that we made ‘The Wizard of Oz’ our own and we have used the inspiration of iconic artists such as Lichtenstein and Warhol to create our colourful Land of Oz. When the cyclone takes Dorothy to Oz, she lands in a ‘pop art’ world, full of bright colours and neon clouds.
Pupils have researched the style to contribute ideas. These are reflected in the set and costumes you see on stage created from scratch by our wonderful team of staff and pupils. Our theme reflects the youthful energy of the performers on stage and has helped them to connect with a production that was made most famous by its film release, almost a century ago.
I often highlight the collaboration involved in producing musical theatre and the many varied skills needed within a production team to make it work. From start to finish, this production has been such a wonderful example of this. The creativity and teamwork required by pupils to bring the show to life, will transfer to so many other parts of their education.
It has been a joy to work with such a talented team of colleagues and, as a staff team, we are hugely proud of the way pupils have embraced every part of the process; they have supported each other to bring together the show you will see this week.
We look forward to seeing you all at The Regent!
Victoria Gray
Director of Co-Curricular
Please use our QR code or visit the Regent Centre Box Office link Regent Centre Box Office, to purchase your tickets.
A video snippet of Jessie Walton (Year 8) singing ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ may be viewed here.
By L. Frank Baum. With Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg. Background Music by Herbert Stothart.
Dance and Vocal Arrangements by Peter Howard. Orchestration by Larry Wilcox. Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Based upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros.
