With a cast of 97on the stage in the School’s Bacon Theatre, the musical The Wizard of Oz was a feast for the 
eyes – a spectacular show with lots of surprises.
The singing was outstanding, led by Gabriella Sills who played Dorothy, Orly Giannini who played the scarecrow, James Hunt who played the Tin Man, Zac Castledine who played the Lion and Maddie Dunn who played the Wicked Witch of the West.
Alix Atwick, Loius Morford, Polly-Anna Harris and Andrew Whitford were all superb in their supporting roles. Every child on stage gave of their best and entertained a thrilled audience from beginning to end.
There were also parts for the children who did not want to be on stage – four played in the orchestra supporting their Senior School peers and five children helped with the wonderful special effects back stage; fireworks, a tornado, a glowing yellow brick road and a hot air balloon, which all helped to make this a real spectacle.
Over 300 children from visiting schools and parents and friends enjoyed this very wonderful show, though sadly the final performance had to be cancelled due to the hazardous weather conditions.
Director of Drama, Lynne Lawrence said, “The pupils approached rehearsals for this colourful musical with enormous energy, enthusiasm and enjoyment, as they created the story of Dorothy's dream-like journey to the Land of Oz.
With a cast and crew of over 100 pupils from Years 6,7 and 8, the performance on the vast Bacon Theatre stage was a monumental team effort. It was particularly pleasing to have the input from Dean Close Senior School pupils in the band and also in backstage capacities.
We were indeed enriched by the invitation to use the wonderful facilities of the Bacon Theatre, but look forward with anticipation to performing the next senior forms' production in our newly constructed theatre on the DCPS site.