I’m sure people will be talking about Sandymount Park’s first musical for years to come.
Firstly, congratulations to everyone involved in Sandymount Park’s first ever TY musical, The Wizard of Oz. It was very enjoyable to watch and a fantastic experience overall. I attended the show on Wednesday 9th February, the opening night and the first of the two performances. There appeared to be an error printed on the tickets as it stated the doors opened at 6:30 and the show began at 7:00, but it transpired that the doors opened at 7:00 and the show began at 7:30. The mistake was forgivable, although it left myself and many other guests waiting outside for half an hour in the bitter cold.
When we were finally granted access inside, everyone who greeted us on the doors was very warm and welcoming, which quickly made up for the earlier drop in temperature. Directions to the hall were given promptly and led each guest to their desired destination efficiently. The corridor was filled to the brim and everyone was bumping into one another. The chairs in the hall were strategically placed to seat the large numbers of people attending while maintaining as much social distance as possible. I was lucky enough to sit in the fourth row on the right which gave me a complete and uninterrupted view of the stage.
When the musical began, I was utterly mesmerised by the lull created on stage with tranquil lighting and muted set design. Circular shapes within the lighting created an illusion of a dreamlike atmosphere. Shades of purple and blue complimented not only the theme of the performance, but the complexion of each performer and their costume. I was constantly astounded by the sparkly props which were glistening on stage. Credits to whoever was in charge of costumes because you couldn’t have done a better job! The munchkins in particular were dressed to perfection from their top hats to their striped socks.
Dorothy made a magical entrance when she sang ‘Somewhere over the rainbow,’ her voice enchanting to listen to. All the dialogue was projected well with emotion and at a fair volume except for when things took a slight turn during the talking apple trees scene. There was a mighty screech that disturbed the ambience and flow but luckily it only lasted for a few seconds. A stray apple was also seen to be left onstage after the trees were throwing them but these slight setbacks were quickly made up for through the flawless choreography of Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, the Lion and Toto leading us to the interval.
There was a fifteen minute interval halfway through the show, similar to any professional show, although the sweets and snacks weren’t very professional. I heard that there would be a tuck shop, but when I stepped into the hall it was not as I had expected. There was only a tiny table acting as a stand for a minimal selection of crisps and chocolate. I think that perhaps a broader variety of sweets and treats would have been more pleasing and appealing for the hungry audience. I also noticed that there was only one available toilet which didn’t serve as satisfactory for close to two hundred people.
The second half of the show was when you could hear the best reactions from the audience. Each seat was charged with enthusiasm. There was a particular elevation in the school building itself that isn’t always there during day to day lessons. It was strange to see my teachers outside of a classroom environment partaking in social interactions!
In my opinion, all the actors did a remarkable job but especially the four leads. They really made the story come to life and brought the performance to the next level. I feel that everyone on stage deserves even more credit than they’ve received as it’s in no way easy to get up to sing and dance in front of a large crowd.
I would like to extend the biggest congratulations to our wonderful music teacher, Niamh, who put her heart and soul into an unforgettable performance. Every aspect of the show shone from the stage through to the audience, and everyone attending noticed the spark this performance had.
All those who contributed to the musical should be incredibly proud of themselves. I had a wonderful time and I’m sure people will be talking about Sandymount Park’s first musical for years to come.