FLICKY HARRISON finds cute pooch is ready to steal show

The old theatrical adage of never work with animals or children has been thrown out the window in the coming production of The Wizard of Oz, as there are 40 youngsters in the show and one dog called Indy.

The cute little dog has stolen the show even before rehearsals were well underway. Indy will take the part of Toto in the SALOS family musical beginning at Swindon's Wyvern Theatre on Wednesday, October 19 until Saturday, October 22.

Indy belongs to SALOS member Nicola Burridge, who takes the part of the Wicked Witch of the West.

He will be working mainly with Sally Rudd who, in the role of Dorothy, follows the ruby-slippered footsteps of Judy Garland, along the Yellow Brick Road.

The young Judy Garland wowed audiences in the 1939 musical produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was based on the 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

The Swindon version is the stage adaptation but tries to stay close to the sound and vision of the film.

Russell Langdown is the director guiding the cast, and his technical crew are musical director Malcolm Webb, associate director Sandra Gilbert, technical director Sarah Wrixon and the choreography is undertaken by Gemma Short.

The 40 children, the youngest is seven, all attended a theatrical workshop in the spring. They were put through their paces in drama, singing and dancing before being chosen for the Children's Ensemble.

SALOS members were delighted to win the rights to perform the famous musical which includes songs such as Over The Rainbow, Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead, and We're Off To See The Wizard.

One of Swindon's best known singers, Ray Dance, takes on the title role and doubles as Professor Marvel, while other respected names in the town such as Tony Asprey, Stuart Dark and Christopher King are Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion respectively.

Ray's business partner, Judith Sharp, takes on the role of Aunt Em and Glinda and Chris Coleman is Uncle Henry and the Guard.

The silver slippers that Dorothy wore in the book were changed to ruby in the film to take advantage of the new Technicolor process, and in Swindon they will take Dorothy on a magical adventure over the rainbow to a world peopled by her imagination.

Last year's performance of Sister Act by SALOS won the South West District 16 Achievement Award and was nominated for the Best Musical Production in the South West. For more details about SALOS and how to join the company visit http://www.salos.org/

Tickets at £15 are available from www.swindontheatres.co.uk or call 01793 524481 - Flicky Harrison