This is a joyous, heart-warming show with a distinctly local feel to it.
I'm not a great fan of turning non-panto stories into seasonal offerings, but in this case, it makes sense. Why else would The Wizard Of Oz feature on our TV screens every Christmas, if it doesn't have festive appeal? Sheringham Little Theatre consistently turns out great panto, but this year I think it has really excelled.听 Even sitting right in the front row - just a few feet from the action - it is truly a spectacular show, visually and musically, and there is a connection with the audience right from the start. The theatre is lucky in that it already has an accomplished local actor in the shape of radio presenter Greg Powles - who also featured in last year's panto - and he forms the backbone of Dorothy's trio of mates, in the shape of the Tin Man.听 Paul Ferguson - known to Big Brother afficionados as "Bubble" - plays the Scarecrow to great effect, and Ben Goodridge is the quivering mass of fur, known as the Cowardly Lion. Together they form a humorous counter to Dorothy's sincere and youthful innocence.
 | | Toto and Dorothy in the land of Oz |
Caroline Ruskell is our Kansas heroine, dressed exactly as you would expect, right down to the pigtails and plaid pinafore, and not only does she look like Judy Garland, she sings like an angel too. Every Oz has its quotient of witches, good and bad, and here are two of the most extreme - Rebecca Oliver is very, very bad indeed, so bad she's turned green and has her own Boo-Meter, measuring audience reaction. Her counterpart Jemma Harris, who always seems to arrive at the right moment, is so good she's in danger of becoming the class freak. Together with the Wizard, the well rehearsed Little Theatre Dancers and the 60 excellent Sheringham Munchkins - here is a cast that truly appeals, to grown-up kids and real kids everywhere. The Wizard Of Oz runs at the Sheringham Little Theatre until Tuesday, 2 January, 2007. For more details call 01263 822347. | 
