It's an excellent school-holiday idea to go to see The Wizard of Oz, and this bright adaption of the Judy Garland film, complete with the songs, ought to satisfy most young fans.

At 2 1/2 hours (including interval) it's a little long. Fewer blackouts between scenes and more imaginative transitions might tighten up the show. And although Brian Sudding's set is bright, economical and functional, the sense of a yellow brick road might have been stronger.

Most of them also have to double up, as characters from Dorothy's real-life world of Kansas appear in other guises in the fantasy world of Oz. Christine Forbes is very likeable, both as Aunt Em and Glinda the Good Witch, and Hugh Stevenson is warm as Uncle Henry and suitably bumbling as the Wizard's Guard. Craig Marvell effectively doubles the trickster Professor Marvel and the Wizard himself. And Alyssa Morse absolutely relishes the two villainesses, Miss Gulch and the Wicked Witch.

Then there's the three Kansas farm hands who become the Scarecrow, the Tinman and the Lion. Alex Jordan is a lovely sharp Scarecrow, Darren Cullerne catches the Tinman who yearns for a heart and David Smith is the cuddliest cowardly Lion you would want to meet.

And there's also an energetic and colourfully costumed chorus who double everything from the munchkins to the monkeys in fine style.

A doughty Dorothy, played by Josie Dunham, heads the cast most capably, catching both the character and the yearning of the girl who is swept off to Oz and who sings Over the Rainbow with conviction.

However, it's Joymont Tiger Lily, the Cairn terrier as Toto, who, in the best showbiz tradition walks away with the show. At six she's a grandma and it's a treat to watch this canine grandma upstage the humans.

So if you and the kids are fans of The Wizard of Oz, visit the Street Theatre these holidays, and sing along.

Review by Alanna Maclean

Canberra Times, April 18, 2007.