Girls pull out all the stops in The Wiz
The Wiz will return to the coast with a special school production at Westville Girls' High School, assisted by prominent Durban theatre personalities this week.
Courtney Cantor as Addaperle the good witch in the centre.
Photo: Val Adamson
A groovy, soulful and feisty version of the classic tale of Dorothy’s journey to Emerald City, The Wiz will be part of Westville Girls’ High School’s celebration of 50 years of excellence from this Friday, 21 to 27 March.
The Wiz, the urbanized retelling of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which is presented by kind permission of DALRO, promises great entertainment for the whole family as the audience is taken down the yellow brick road with ever-earnest but resolute Dorothy, scaredy-cat Lion who seeks some courage, a rusty Tinman who seeks a heart and the adorable Scarecrow who joins this motley crew in the hopes that he will get some brains from the Wiz.
“We are thrilled to present this delightful musical production as part of our 50th celebrations,” said Catherine Raw, principal of WGHS. “We chose a musical to give our pupils the opportunity to showcase the huge variety of talent they possess and to involve as many girls as possible.”
Moe than 100 girls from the school are performing in the musical with some male contributions from Westville Boys’ High. The show is directed by drama teacher Claire Spinelli assisted by Roxanne Fuller, with costume co-ordination by Chelsea-Rae Martin.
The show boasts involvement of top Durban theatre professionals, Evan Roberts as musical director, set by well-known Durban theatre personality Bryan Hiles and graphics by MC, poet and artist Ewok Robinson. Award-winning lighting designer, Michael Broderick adds his ambient-magic to the show and the technical stage management is being run by Jane Cross and Megan Levy of Darkhorse Productions. Some impressive choreography by Lyn Tottem and Chantal Laubscher of ‘The Studio’ allows the talented cast of learners to shine in a variety of dance forms including ballet, tap and hip hop.
This updated and vibrant musical of the timeless tale of determination against all odds, will be presented in the WGHS new Mary Johnstone Centre, which will be transformed into a unique performance space.
Shows are at 7pm on March 21, 24, 26 (special gala/VIP performance) and 27 with matinees on 22 at 2pm, 25 at 3.30pm and a special performance for primary schools on 27 March at 10am.
Tickets are R50 for adults and R30 for scholars with a special price of R20 for the primary schools’ production and can be booked through the school on 031-2661258 or emailed to tickets@wghs.co.za.
