Review: The Wizard of Oz, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

The curtain went up on Viv Kelly's latest production starring a talented cast of about 30 county youngsters.

Her Children's Theatre Group – led by Ella Jane Boswell as Dorothy – delivered a heart-warming version of The Wiz which is a modern adaptation of The Wizard of Oz.

A packed audience in the Walker Theatre were transported out of Shrewsbury and down the yellow brick road for the hour- and-a-half long musical, featuring plenty of soul music.

Packed with colourful costumes, lovely choreography and beautiful singing, the show is a family must-see.

It featured songs from the 1975 Broadway smash including He's the Wizard, Ease on Down the Road and Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News.

I grew up with the Wizard of Oz, with Judy Garland, in the lead role and it is still one of my favourite family films.

So I was intrigued to see for the first time how it had be adapted for stage as a musical.

But with a click of the heels – three times – the young cast of The Wiz transported the thrilled audience out of Shrewsbury via Kansas off to the magic-filled land of Oz.

Complicated soul songs, many of them solos, were delivered beautifully, accompanied by first-class acting and fabulous costumes, which had been created by Viv herself.

Ella Jane Boswell was simply enchanting as Dorothy while Lowri Page deserves a mention for her performance as wicked witch Evillene. My film favourite was always the cowardly lion – no different last night with Alex Devalis in the role.

Cameron Hughes-Williams embraced his role as Scarecrow while Emilly Morgan was wonderfully cast as Tinman.

But indeed all the cast are worthy of praise. They sang their hearts out and acted their socks off.

Viv, who directed the production, in her footnotes, said: "We have had a lot of fun putting this show together."

And you could certainly tell. Every single cast member looked like they enjoyed every second.

I look forward to Viv Kelly's next production when the Youth Theatre Group present Miss Saigon in May.

But for now – there's no place like Shrewsbury, there's no place like Shrewsbury. . .

Claire Dunn