The Wiz Report

21 November 2011

Members of the audience at Cirencester Deer Park School, over three nights from Wednesday 16 November, consistently congratulated pupils and staff on their absolutely tremendous production of ‘The Wiz’, a colourful retelling of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ with lively foot tapping soul rhythms!

Pupils from Watermoor Primary School had the opportunity to see a special preview performance on Tuesday 15 November. They thought it was ‘wicked’, ‘brilliant’ and ‘mind-blowing’! Teacher, Jo Pearce said, ‘I thought the band were fantastic and played extremely well all the way through the performance.’ Tom Sandilands, age 12, who played the keyboard in the band said, ‘It was a great experience,’ and fellow band member and drummer, Harry Teague, aged 14, felt, ‘It was great’ and said, ‘I have learnt a lot about how bands work in shows!’

Parent, Phil Waterhouse, commented, ‘I am always in awe of the talent both on display and behind the scenes that go into any school production. ‘The Wiz’ was truly one of the best school shows that I have ever had the pleasure to see and the warmth of the occasion combined with some fantastic individual performances was a real credit to the school.’ In particular, he commended Katrina Webb, aged 15, who played a superb Dorothy and Tom Broadbent, aged 15, who entertained everyone in his role as the Tinman! The Scarecrow, Henry Blackaller, aged 14, and the Lion, Alex Butler, aged 15, are equally worthy of special mention.

Rachel Snowball, mother of Tom, aged 13, who comically strutted his stuff on stage as Lord High Underling, congratulated the show’s Director, Vito Anzalone: ‘I just wanted to say thank you for putting on such a superb show of such a high standard. To include the number of children that you did and to rehearse within such a limited time frame was truly amazing.’

Similarly, the uncle of Shaye Poulton- Richards who played a stunning Evilene, the Wicked Witch of the West, enjoyed the final performance so much he recommended it should go on tour! None of the cast, who throughout the rehearsals and shows demonstrated impressively high levels of commitment and teamwork, wanted the production to come to an end. Shaye, aged 14, said, ‘I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to be part of such an amazing experience. I have learnt that I can cope being out of my comfort zone.’

Taking their final bows, the cast expressed their gratitude to staff, the chorus, dancers, musicians and technicians for the support they had received, not least from the show’s Director, Drama Teacher, Vito Anzalone, and our aspiring choreographers, Hannah Ponting, Della Hill, Sophie Park and Amy Williamson who created impressively tight and creative dance sequences.

Lizzy Chambers, aged 16, who deftly played the character-changing Wiz, reflected, ‘This is my last show before leaving to go onto sixth form. I have made lots of new friends and it has allowed me to be involved in the Performing Arts at Deer Park. It has been a fun experience and a real challenge to play a completely different character to any I have played before.’

Vito Anzalone, enjoyed working with everyone involved and praised the way in which they all contributed to the success of the production: ‘Young people can achieve so much when motivated and encouraged. I hope this experience contributes to their confidence and enjoyment of being involved in a project bigger than themselves. The staff have equally been brilliant in their help. I feel we have achieved a real sense of community.’

Headteacher, Chiquita Henson, said, ‘I am immensely proud. A production of this scale is infectious and it draws people in. The strengths of an event of this kind are the opportunities it gives pupils both on and off stage. I have been impressed by commitment of everyone involved especially the hours they have put in. It was a privilege to watch and an honour to say thank you to those who ensured a show of this quality ran smoothly.’