A PACKED audience filled Innerleithen’s Memorial Hall on Monday night for a dramatic journey via Kansas to the merry old land of Oz.

For the first time in the 110-year history of the town’s amateur dramatic society, the group performed The Wizard Of Oz.

Their inexperience with the musical didn’t show, with another well-polished production from the entire team.

After a long, cold, miserable winter, the energetic cast and crew had a spring in their step, and leapt into their new roles with ease, providing many well-known toe-tapping classics, as heard in the 1939 film, plus a few new catchy songs.

Rosie Graham excelled in the lead role as Dorothy Gale, with a stunning voice to match her equally stunning ruby red slippers.

And there was no place like home as Graham’s voice filled the memorial hall with her rendition of Somewhere over the Rainbow.

There was no stage fright for her four-legged sidekick, Toto, played by Harry, who, despite the mix of loud music and bright lights, behaved perfectly throughout.

Joining Dorothy on her travels to meet the Wizard of Oz were her fab three, Jack Robertson as the Scarecrow, Roger Brydon as the Tinman, and Stewart Wilson as the Lion.

Stewart’s comedic performance as the cowardly lion went down a storm with the audience, and delivered roars of laughter around the hall.

Despite her horrible intentions, Wilma Fox is a delight as a the Wicked Witch of the West, and provided plenty to get scared about.

The instantly recognisable sound of her witches cackle and notorious evil streak portrayed a character that audiences young and old love to hate.

As the show ventured down the yellow brick road en route to the Emerald City, the production provided a colourful mix of family-filled entertainment.

No matter what your age, this production of The Wizard of Oz is guaranteed to put a smile your face and put a spring in your step.

The show is running nightly this week at 7.30pm, with a matinee on Saturday at 2.15pm.

Tickets are £12, and £10 for concessions, to book, visit www.idaos.org.uk.

Roll of honour

  • Dorothy Gale – Rosie Graham
  • Hunk/Scarecrow – Jack Robertson
  • Hickory/Tinman – Roger Brydon
  • Zeke/Lion – Stewart Wilson
  • Uncle Henry/Guard – John Armstrong
  • Aunt Em – Leanne Young
  • Miss Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West – Wilma Knox
  • Professor Chester Marvel/The Wizard of Oz – Brian Dean
  • Glinda – Pamela Millan
  • Winkie General – Douglas Russell
  • Nikko, Commander of the Monkeys – Lizzie Bell
  • Trees, Crows, Ozians, Monkeys, Winkies - Barbara Allan Jones, Angela Barber, Lizzie Bell, David Brown, Anne Brownlee, Thomas Brydon, Drew Caldwell, Rachel Campbell, Pam Fraser, Helen Gault, Joe Giegerich, Kristeen Gilmore, Norma Henry, Ellie Hope, Ewan Little, Emma Lobb, Jamie McCubbin, Anne McKinnon, Ross McGinn, Alex Paterson, Gillian Rendle, Douglas Russell, Jennifer Russell, Heather Smith, Colin Tweedie, Nicola Watt, Kathy Webber, Tyla Winter
  • Munchkins – Lucy Bannister, Lizzie Bell, Sandy Bell, Katie Bryant, George Brydon, Thomas Brydon, Skye Connor, Millie Cotter, Grace Crichton, Belle Cross, Lenny Finn, Eilidh Irvine, Jennifer Keepence, Amy Landers, Ewan Little, Drew Lobb, Emma Lobb, Kirsty MacDonald, Olivia McGilp, Lexi McTier-Hay, Alex Paterson, Lucy Paterson, Owen Quayle, Eve Rathie, Kaitlin Scott, Sarah Whiteford, Stuart Whiteford, Freya Wilson, Alice Williams

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