The Talent Box gave audiences a real treat with their production of The Wizard of Oz at the Blackmore Theatre last week. 

 Due to popular demand, they increased their performance run to two nights and still had a sellout performance. The Talent Box is a local theatre group for adults with learning disabilities, run by professional actor Jane O’Connell and performing two shows a year. Jane says she is ‘enormously proud of the group and keen that they receive recognition for their hard work and commitment to their shows.’ 

The talented group brought the Wizard of Oz characters to life and performed with their usual energy and enthusiasm, engaging the audience with their singing and dancing.  

The role of Dorothy was played delightfully by Molly Bradley, with Robert Hatfield giving a commanding performance as the ‘Wizard’ Hannah Pooley cackled and shrieked convincingly as the Wicked Witch, contrasting beautifully with Nicki Slynn’s elegant Good Witch. Jayne Rawlinson, Anthony Richardson and Debbie Reed had a busy night with their multi-role playing and many costume changes. James Tetlow captivated his audience with his extraordinary magic tricks and proved a versatile performer as he too, played multiple parts. Chris Brown was an excellent Tin Man and sang with great gusto, Andrew Howard made an endearing Lion who involved the audience in his act. Ethan Shapter, who had played the Scarecrow so brilliantly during rehearsals, was sadly unwell, so Phil Williams kindly stepped in to cover for him.  

 The Talent Box’s next show will be their Christmas production of ‘Scrooge the Panto.’ The Talent Box would like to thank the Cranford Sports Centre for the use of its rehearsal space.