When on my way out Fred Cowgill asked me what I thought of the show, I replied ”Stylish”. He looked dubious but I meant it as a compliment.

The first sound of that saxophone set the early twentieth century feel of the much loved story, brought vividly to life. The yellow brick road was set just like a Clarice Cliff plate. Abi Baker’s portrayal of Dorothy was so beguiling --- a bit rebellious, inquisitive, loving and caring and a pretty voice. The music was outstanding - thankyou Paul Martin --- the choir’s unaccompanied singing of “Somewhere over the rainbow” was lovely - it’s a difficult thing to achieve.

The amazing sound effects of the tornado were pretty scary. The scarecrow may not have had a brain but the script gave him some witty one-liners - “so that’s who was playing bridge with us!”. Loved the bridge business ---Mark Bullen and mushroom pallets was it? I’ve heard of Welsh wizards, but a WITCH with a Welsh accent?

Maria Petherick-Moss has a great stage presence and for the voice she used Ruth Madoc and that awful landlady in an old film “Only two can play” starring Peter Sellers come to mind.

Didn’t you love the way the cowardly lion (Simon Medd) used his tail tuft to mop up his tears? The Tin Man (Stephen Newell) was impressive and his song “If I only had a heart” added to the pathos.

More good singing came from Jane Godbehere as the sorceress and Louise Brown as Gloria. Of course we had show-stopping hilarity at the performance of the 60-something ballerinas Echo and Pauline. I was amused at the modern broomstick --- not a Nimbus 2000 but a lightweight vacuum cleaner with “Twice the Pickup”.

The junior section of the club showed their developing skills as they moved adeptly around a confined space as Jitterbugs and king-sized Munchkins. But the magic had to end and Dorothy was restored to her family behind closed curtains before the finale, when we all got a chance to sing “Somewhere over the rainbow”.

Rosemary Hodges