THE Wicked Witch of the West wants to get Dorothy and her little dog too...and now she can give it her best shot as the hunt for a pooch to play Toto in the Wyvern Summer Youth Project is over.

Director Rodney Howard and the team behind this year’s production of The Wizard of Oz put three doggy candidates, Lucy, Basil and Daisy, through their paces in Toto Talent.

And the winner is due to be announced later this week.

The team were looking for a dog that was comfortable being around a large number of children, was fairly obedient and, above all, looked cute.

“We couldn’t have a Great Dane playing the role but we’re not too worried about whether they could fit in a basket or not,” said Rodney.

“We’re trying to protect the dog from doing lots of rehearsing and being around large groups of the children too much – even the most gentle dog can get stressed out when 250 pairs of hands all want to stroke them.”

Each of the dogs took it in turn to go out on stage with Georgina Hendry, who is playing the role of Dorothy.

To check the dogs wouldn’t be nervous on the night the technical team played thunder and lightning effects and music over the sound system while changing the lighting.

Basil, Daisy and Lucy then had to show how obedient they were by running to Georgina and their temperaments were tested when Georgina and Natalie Milne, who is playing the Wicked Witch, fought over them.

Georgina said it had been good fun working with the dogs. “It was interesting, I didn’t think it would be that hard though,” said the 16-year-old.

“I’ve got dogs at home so I’m used to being around them.

“It’ll definitely be an experience working with the dog during the show but it will be nice to have a four-legged friend in some of my scenes.”

The Wizard of Oz runs at the Wyvern from August 26 to 29. Tickets cost from £10 and are available from the box office on 01793 524481 or by logging on to www.wyverntheatre. org.uk