The curtains closed on a triumphant final performance of The Wizard of Oz at Risedale School on Thursday 11th July, marking the culmination of months of hard work by a dedicated cast and crew. Directed by Head of Drama, Mrs Amy Southworth Gedye, and produced by Head of Social Studies, Ms Dunphy, the production brought the classic tale to life with vibrant energy.

A Stellar Cast Takes Centre Stage

Leading the charge was Grace Baker, captivating audiences as Dorothy. Joining her on the Yellow Brick Road were Archie Bassett as the endearing Scarecrow, Emily-Faye Fort as the heartwarming Tinman, and Oscar Baker as the cowardly Lion. Milly Mason and Mason Bassett brought warmth to the roles of Aunt Em/Glinda and Uncle Henry/Guard, respectively. Mrs Southworth-Gedye herself donned the iconic green make-up to play the Wicked Witch, while Harry Tester delivered a memorable performance as the Wizard of Oz.

A Supportive Chorus and Crew

The magic on stage wouldn't have been possible without the fantastic support of Mrs Johnson, Mrs Allen, and Tony Wilcock from The Georgian Theatre Royal, who brought the show to life with his lighting design and loan of all the sound and light equipment, our dedicated chorus and fabulous crew. Their tireless efforts behind the scenes ensured a smooth and visually stunning performance.

"I'm incredibly proud of the entire cast and crew for bringing The Wizard of Oz to life," Mrs Southworth-Gedye said. "This production truly exemplifies the dedication and talent of our Risedale pupils. It takes a tremendous effort to put on a show of this calibre and I am immensely grateful to everyone who played a part, from our phenomenal performers to the tireless crew and the supportive staff here at Risedale. This is a true testament to the collaborative spirit that makes our school such a special place."

Praise Pours In

The production received rave reviews from the Risedale Family. Chair of Governors, John Glahome, expressed his delight, commending Mrs Southworth-Gedye and the entire cast and crew for their “enjoyable performance.” He highlighted the importance of such productions in fostering confidence and development in young adults, expressing hope for many more shows to come.

A heartfelt email from a proud parent further solidified the success of the production. Riley Williams-Matthews, a Year 7 pupil who played a Munchkin, received glowing praise for his performance. His mother wrote, “Everyone involved in the Wizard of Oz did absolutely amazingly last night… Grace Baker (Dorothy)’s singing was phenomenal, it blew me away!”

A Performance to Remember

The Risedale School production of The Wizard of Oz was a resounding success, leaving audiences enthralled and highlighting the immense talent within the school community. With such a dedicated team and talented performers, the future of Risedale’s stage productions appears bright. 

⭐ To view a copy of the official programme please click HERE! ⭐

Licensing Information

This amateur production of THE WIZARD OF OZ is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.co.uk

THE WIZARD OF OZ

By L. Frank Baum

With Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg

Background Music by Herbert Stothart

Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company

Based upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by

Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros.