Entertainment 3 - What's On In Sutton Coldfield

The Wizard Of Oz – Sutton Coldfield Musical Youth Theatre

Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

Monday 16th February – Dress Rehearsal

By Nigel Gambles

Photography – Studio 55 Photography

There’s no place like home… and on this occasion, there was certainly no better place to be than Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, where Sutton Coldfield Musical Youth Theatre transported audiences down the Yellow Brick Road in a vibrant, heartfelt production of The Wizard of Oz.

From the opening notes of Over the Rainbow, it was clear this was a special evening. The transition from sepia-toned Kansas to the dazzling colour of Oz was beautifully handled, drawing audible gasps from the audience and setting the tone for a joyful theatrical journey.

Leading the way was Lola Hinsley as Dorothy, delivering a wonderfully warm and sincere performance. Her vocals were confident and emotionally grounded, capturing Dorothy’s innocence while showing impressive strength for such a demanding role. She carried the story effortlessly — a truly standout portrayal.

And then there was Biscuit as Toto — quite simply, the scene-stealer of the night. Every entrance earned smiles, laughs, and spontaneous applause. Proof, if ever it was needed, that four legs can sometimes upstage an entire cast.

Dorothy’s companions were equally engaging:

Elliott Winhall brought charm and comedy as the Scarecrow,
Jamie Wilson offered heart and humour as the Tin Man,
Euan Barnby delivered a delightful Cowardly Lion with great physicality and timing.

Louise Heard revelled in her role as Miss Gulch / The Wicked Witch, striking the perfect balance between menace and theatrical fun, while George Wells added gravitas and warmth as Professor Marvel / The Wizard.

Supporting roles were handled with confidence by Daisy Moore (Aunt Em / Glinda) and Kian Haden (Uncle Henry / Guard), with strong contributions from principal vocalists Erin Freeman, Grace Wilson, Molly Lewis and Neve Matthews.

The principal dancers — Anna Green, Aubane Doireau, Daisy Yates, Erin Freeman, Esme Wolverson, Molly Lewis, Natalie Heard, Neve Matthews, Peyton Lockley and Sophia Reeve — brought real energy and polish to the Emerald City sequences, while the full ensemble filled the stage with colour, movement and infectious enthusiasm.

Behind the scenes, this production was steered with care and creativity by director Georgia Young, supported by musical director Imogen Botham and choreographer Ellie Johnstone, with Neve Matthews also serving as Dance Captain. The result was a tightly paced show with lively choreography and well-balanced musical moments.

Stage management by Paula Lumsden, alongside a dedicated crew including Finley Waldron, Paul Lumsden, Ian Bowley, Ed Hill, Nathan Rock, Tom Wells, Hannah Litwinne, Simon Smith, Kate Holland, Lauren Orgil and Mark Shett, ensured everything ran smoothly.

Costumes by Suzanne Harris (assisted by Liv Lawton) were bright and characterful, while lighting from Going Dark Theatrical Services, sound by Sam Bukhshav, scenery by Made to Measure Productions, and props from Theatre House combined to create a fully immersive Oz.

⭐ A Fond Farewell

This production also marks a bittersweet milestone for director Georgia Young, who, after five productions with the youth group, will now be moving on to the adult company, where she’ll be producing Frozen next year. She will be deeply missed by the youth cast and families alike — her passion, encouragement and creative vision have clearly left a lasting legacy.

What truly sets this production apart is the heart behind it. Every scene reflects the dedication, rehearsal hours, and genuine love for theatre shared by cast and crew alike.

A joyful, polished and thoroughly uplifting evening — and another shining example of just how strong Sutton Coldfield’s youth theatre scene continues to be.

Click those ruby slippers and follow that Yellow Brick Road — you won’t regret it. 👠✨

A Kick In The Baubles – Sutton Arts Theatre

Sutton Arts Theatre

Wednesday 28th January 2026 – Dress Rehearsal

By Nigel Gambles

Photography – Studio 55 Photography

A Kick in the Baubles is festive farce at its most relatable — a sharp, affectionate comedy that finds big laughs in the chaos, compromises and quiet catastrophes of Christmas with family.

Set across Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the Bauble household, the play centres on Frank Bauble (Andy Jones), a man who would happily cancel Christmas altogether if given half the chance. Recently made redundant and utterly worn down by the season, Frank’s dream of a calm, uneventful holiday is immediately crushed by the arrival of relatives, neighbours and well-meaning disasters. His long-suffering wife Jean (Joanne James) is determined to hold everything together — even as it becomes increasingly clear that “together” is a very loose concept indeed.

Andy Jones delivers a wonderfully grounded performance as Frank, capturing both his simmering frustration and reluctant vulnerability. He is matched beautifully by Joanne James, whose Jean balances warmth, steel and perfectly timed exasperation — the emotional anchor of the household as everything spins out of control.

The extended family bring the chaos in waves. Harry and Doreen (Phil Shaw and Lynette Coffey) provide deliciously smug comedy as the superior, slightly unbearable in-laws, with Coffey in particular leaning confidently into Doreen’s sharp tongue and self-importance. Alex (Sophia Firkins) adds youthful edge and energy, playing off the older characters with ease.

The arrival of the neighbours injects the production with an extra jolt of festive madness. Gary (Dan Holyhead) and Julie (Bexs Perry) are gloriously loud, unapologetically chaotic and clearly enjoying every moment — their scenes are packed with physical comedy and bold character choices that land strongly with the audience.

Younger cast members Milly (Tilde Porter) and Darren (Daniel Charlton) round out the ensemble with charm and clarity, ensuring that even at its busiest moments the stage never feels overcrowded or unfocused.

Under the confident direction of Maureen George, who also leads on set design, the production embraces the rhythm of farce while allowing quieter, more heartfelt moments to breathe. The domestic setting works perfectly for the piece, feeling lived-in and instantly recognisable — a Christmas living room that becomes the battleground for festive tension and escalating misunderstandings.

Behind the scenes, Stage Manager Allan Lane keeps the production running smoothly, while David Ashton’s lighting and sound design supports the pacing and mood without distraction. Lighting operators Elijah Topliss and Melissa Arslan, alongside sound operator Archie Exhall, ensure technical elements remain sharp and responsive throughout.

The set is well supported by Paul Wescott as Set Building Manager, while costumes — provided by Sutton Arts Wardrobe and the cast — help clearly define character and social contrasts. Wardrobe Mistress Rachel Marshall keeps everything cohesive, and properties by Christina Townsend, Sue Atkins and Maureen George add the finishing touches that make the space feel authentically chaotic and lived-in.

Ultimately, A Kick in the Baubles succeeds because it recognises a simple truth: Christmas rarely goes to plan — and that’s exactly where the laughter lives. Warm, knowing and consistently funny, it offers audiences the chance to laugh at the madness while quietly recognising a little of their own family in the Baubles’ living room.

A festive treat that proves sometimes the best way to survive Christmas… is to laugh straight through it