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:
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Elliott Winhall brought charm and comedy as the Scarecrow,
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Jamie Wilson offered heart and humour as the Tin Man,
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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. 👠✨
