Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds production Dorothy, Back in Oz is a show as magical as its setting

Dorothy, Back in Oz, Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds, Friday

After thoroughly enjoying 2023’s Theatre Royal community production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, my daughter Clara and I were keen to return to the fantastical land this summer.

So on Friday we went to the last surviving British Regency playhouse, in Westgate Street, for the buzzing opening night of the theatre’s new production Dorothy, Back in Oz.

What we discovered was another storming success by the theatre, which has delivered a production full of singing, dancing, hope and happiness, based on the 1985 film Return to Oz (a firm favourite of my own childhood).

The plot again focuses on Dorothy (Anya De Villiers) who, following a huge storm over Stowmarket – referred to as ‘Stow Meerkat, of Su-folk’ by Oz residents – is transported back to Oz, with only talking chicken Billina (Safia Bartley) for company.

However, Dorothy finds the yellow brick road smashed and the Emerald City in ruins, thanks to the rule of the Gnome King (Michael Lambourne).

Dorothy’s mission is to restore order to Oz, while meeting new characters along the way – such as the conniving Princess Langwidere (Leonie Spilsbury).

The royal’s series of interchangeable heads – including that of the loveable scarecrow – and some clever visual effects had the adults in the audience belly laughing and my daughter querying how the effects were achieved. I particularly enjoyed the fleeting (and hilarious) appearance of the ‘headless’ princess.

Throw into the mix unhappy munchkins (and confident performances from young cast members), a flying sofa, expert puppetry and a memorable intervention by Billina firing renegade eggs at the Gnome King, and you have all the ingredients for a show as magical as its setting.

With its catchy songs, effective choreography, wonderful costumes (bravo to Billina for avoiding sneezing while surrounded by all those feathers) and an atmospheric set, Dorothy, Back in Oz audiences can expect an exhilarating and thoroughly enjoyable ride suitable for all ages.

The professional cast are given seamless support throughout by the superb young company, who sang, danced and acted their talented socks off.

And while the young cast may be ‘amateurs’, you would not know it. Hopefully their experiences on stage this month could see some become the stars of the future.

The production runs until August 31 - tickets are available at www.theatreroyal.org or by calling 01284 769505.