The Wizard of Oz

Hippo Valley Estates Primary School in Chiredzi presented it's annual end of year play — The Wizard of Oz — to a packed audience this last Friday evening, (28^th October 2011). Growing on the successes of previous productions, the show was a huge hit and a highly enjoyable evening. The wonderful colour coordinated costumes helped with the flow of the story immensely.

The fun commenced with a number of singing performances by Grades 0 to 4, entitled, 'All the Colours of the Rainbow' and included those songs we all learnt at school from Baa Baa Black Sheep (Grade 0) to Lily the Pink (Grade 4).

The Wizard of Oz was performed by Grades 5 to 7 and eloquently narrated by the colours Red (Tinopi Gorejena), Orange (Rumwisai Chiwasa), Purple (Tadiwanashe Kadziyanyike), Blue (Takunda Kurakaraka), Green (Tracy Simonsen) and Yellow (Zanele Siziba).

A violent storm very dramatically sweeps away Dorothy (Kudzai Chigerwe), Toto (Gabriel Mugari) and their entire house. Flying right across the stage, the house came crashing down in the land of Oz and right on top of the Wicked Witch of the East. The Munchkins and Glinda (Vimbai Mahungana) present Dorothy with the late witch's ruby slippers and set her on the yellow brick road towards the Emerald City.

On their journey, Dorothy and Toto, ('woof'), meet Scarecrow (Robert Chinembiri) and pass through a forest of abusive trees where they are joined by Tinman (Matthew Makuni) and Lion (Joshua Nyoni). Their journey is fraught with dangers including flowers which make them sleep, but eventually they make it to the Emerald City. Having dealt with the overzealous Gatekeeper (Raymond Goredema), the imposing and grand Wizard of Oz sets an impossible task — kill the Wicked Witch of the West.

The friends set off on their quest but are quickly ensnared by a very confident Wicked Witch of the West (Natalie Charidza) and her energetic troupe of Dancing Monkeys. After a brief struggle, Dorothy melts the Wicked Witch.

Returning to the Emerald City, the newly revealed Wizard (Kudzai Tsingo) agrees to help the group. Unfortunately, Toto ('woof') wanders off and the Wizard is blown back to Chiredzi in his hot-air balloon. Fortunately, the Good Witch Glinda is there to help Dorothy return home to Uncle Henry (Brett Ncube) and Auntie Em (Trish Chagadama).