West Wickham Operatic Society were off down the Yellow Brick Road last week with a blockbusting production of the RSC's version of The Wizard of Oz.

This was a hugely ambitious project involving a cast I estimated to number about 80 plus flying for the witches and monkeys.

The plus side is that it is great to see any amateur society pushing the boundaries. The minus side is that too big an ensemble can sometimes look ragged and the flying didn't work for me since it appeared too clunky.

Likewise, it was distracting to see stage-hands pushing bits of scenery about.

Happily I was delighted with the fun on hand from Dorothy's trio of friends.

Andy Moore's natural talent for comedy and sense of movement made him stand out as the Scarecrow who wants a brain while Philip Netscher was sweet as the Tin Man in search of a heart.

Kevin Gauntlett (who also directed) was an irresistibly cuddly Cowardly Lion.

Jacqui Morris was mean Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West with a cackle which could shatter glass and pretty in pink was Amanda Farrant's magical good witch Glinda.

The show featured three generations of Gauntletts – Terry as Professor Marvel and the mysterious Wizard and Ellen as one of two Dorothys.

I saw Katie Morgan's very capable performance and her handling of Tilly as the scene-stealing Toto was excellent. The finale did make me smile: scores of people singing their hearts out yet I suspect most people in the audience were focusing on the cute little dog.

Sally and Emma Warsop deserve medals for choreographing routines for so many people, including dozens of children as aah-factor Munchkins, poppies and snowflakes.

Charlotte and Josie Simpson were responsible for the excellent costumes (WWOS is a strong family company!).

And as for those wonderful songs, they worked their magic with the help of a great bunch of musicians in the pit.

You can't fault WWOS for effort and almost certainly you will certainly never see this show done by a larger group of enthusiasts.

Next May the company will be getting to grips with The Full Monty.

Diana Eccleston

4 stars