Centrestage Cymru may be a relatively new company, but the resident production team of Andre-Paul Spring, Victoria Bryant, Sharon Higgins and Peter Higgins have years of experience between them.
Their vision and drive, clearly evident in their latest production, The Wiz, is well-rewarded by an extremely well-rehearsed cast .
Disciplined and energetic, with well choreographed song and dance routines, the musical is unashamedly up-beat and gregarious.
The students from the Sharon (Fitzgerald) Higgins Musical Theatre Class provide a charming array of background characters, effortlessly (and speedily) changing from munchkins to mice to hilarious funky monkeys. I’m certain that amongst them there are a few leading lights of the future.
That said there are some excellent performances from the older cast members, Hannah Roper plays Dorothy with a huge voice and a huge personality. Her solo, Home, remaining memorable.
Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Lion (Jordan Archer, Matthew J Bryant and Martin Woodsford) characterise and inter-act well in three very engaging performances, likewise the three witches, Addaperle, Evillene and Glinda (Fiona Davies, Zoe Southcott and Sharon Higgins) deliver the excess, in three wonderfully over-blown performances.
Finally who could forget Marc Williams as the tongue –in-cheek ‘Elvis’ wizard secretly plagued by self-doubt?
Last night’s audience were more than happy to ‘Ease on Down’ this particular road, and you have until Saturday to do the same.
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