Theatre passion brings rewards

 

They say to never work with children or animals, and yet The Wizard of Oz has both.

Otamatea Repertory Theatre (ORT) is staging the popular classic family show, with Peter Flower at the helm as Director.

“Directing a show is both exhilarating and exhausting. The Wizard of Oz is a huge show with many technical challenges,” says Flower.

“We have a dedicated team working together to create this fantasy. Orchestra, lighting, sound, costuming, make-up, props, set building – the list goes on. A show is like an iceberg – people only ever get to see the top, yet there is so much more going on under the surface.”

This is the seventh consecutive major musical production that Flower has directed for ORT.

Earlier this year, Flower was able to hand over the director reins to his wife, Maura, and enjoy treading the boards once again, as the hapless Rene in the popular comedy ‘Allo ‘Allo!.

“Our love of theatre is what drives us. We direct and organise others, and help them to be the best they can on stage. But occasionally, it is nice to have the opportunity to shine in a role, and not to carry the weight of responsibility that goes with directing.”

Otamatea Repertory Theatre has a philosophy of encouraging people to try various roles and responsibilities at the theatre. There has been a succession of directors over the years – for example, our end-of-year pantomime has been led by a new director every year, for the past six years.

The Wizard of Oz, adapted from the book by Frank L Baum, is well-known and loved by many. When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy and her dog, Toto, are whisked away in their house to the magical Land of Oz. They follow the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City to meet the Wizard, and en route they meet a Scarecrow, who needs a brain, a Tin Man, missing a heart, and a Cowardly Lion, who wants courage. The wizard asks the group to bring him the broom of the Wicked Witch of the West, to earn his help. The well-known score includes some of the best loved songs in musical theatre.

ORT’s The Wizard of Oz will open for an eight-show season on July 12 at the Maungaturoto theatre. Tickets are available online at www.ort.org.nz or at Tony’s Lotto Shop in Maungaturoto. The opening weekend features special school-holiday prices for families.

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