The Wizard Of Oz has been delighting children and adults alike for more than a century. This Christmas, Birmingham Ormiston Academy are presenting a West Midlands-orientated stage version of the much-loved story, directed by Doctors and Coronation Street actor Lorna Laidlaw. What’s On takes a trip over the rainbow to find out more...

Birmingham actor Lorna Laidlaw (pictured) is taking us along the Yellow Brick Road this Christmas as she directs a new pantomime version of The Wizard Of Oz.

Lorna, whose acting career has included the roles of Aggie Bailey in Coronation Street and Mrs Tembe in Doctors, is directing the BOA Group production of L Frank Baum’s much-loved story, which opened at the city’s Old Rep Theatre in late November. She worked with fellow Birmingham actor & comedian Janice Connolly on the show’s script, which she says will be recognisable to all fans of the classic tale - but with a few added extras.

“This one is a very Birmingham-orientated Wizard Of Oz,” she explains. “Obviously it’s set in Kansas, but there are references to the Witch being from the West Midlands, and the Crooked House is mentioned - all those sort of lovely things. When Oz is revealed, he has this fantastic American accent, but then it’s revealed he’s actually from Cradley Heath!

“It’s all lovely things that people can identify with, so it will feel like their panto; it will feel like it’s been grown in Birmingham. It’s good to have that for a production like this, especially when you’ve got young people in it - so their parents and grandparents will be coming - and people identify places that they know. 

“I think for the older people who come to see it, it’s another level of enjoyment - it feels like you own it. I’ve been to loads of pantos where you’ve thought it was fantastic and lovely, but it didn’t feel like it was written in Birmingham.”

Although the production takes inspiration from the much-loved 1939 Hollywood film classic, it features different music.

“A lot of the songs people will recognise from The Wiz, and there are a lot of other songs that have been specially adapted for it,” explains Lorna. “So, for example, there are a lot of popular-culture songs, like Miley Cyrus and even Baby Shark. It will hit all levels because there are songs people will recognise, especially the teenagers. It’s making sure we have enough for everybody.

“I think one of the biggest things with panto is that it’s a time when all the family, no matter how old you are, can get together and laugh, sing, maybe even cry a bit. There are very few places like that. When you can all go to the theatre, sit down and watch something that you’re all going to enjoy, that’s something quite special.”

Lorna, who recently played the grandmother in The Company Of Wolves at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, says audiences should head to the Old Rep this month prepared for a spectacle.

“I think one of the great things about this is that we’ve built a set that’s like a Transformer set - so things move into different spaces, and the house in Kansas unfolds like one of those Transformer cars. It’s fantastic and very clever. 

“I hope audiences go away skipping and laughing, with everyone having the best time they’ve ever had and saying ‘It was worth every single penny, and I’m coming back next year.’” 

The production brings together professionals - in the lead roles - and students from BOA Group, who form the ensemble and undertake many of the technical roles, from stage management and lighting, to costumes and props.

“I’ve had the most amazing time on this,” Lorna says. “It’s been really amazing being at BOA. When I saw the costumes... they are absolutely incredible! You don’t always have people on hand when you’re working on a show, so to be in a building where you can call on all their skills - they’ve got technical people and a wig & make-up department as well - is a real bonus.

“As a director, especially when you’re working with young people, you’re constantly leading by example.

There’s a very quick turnaround on this show, and it’s a good experience for the students - the pressure of this is what it’s like in the outside world.”

One of those young people is 17-year-old BOA student Sophia Scarrott, from Handsworth Wood, who is costume supervisor on the show.

“I basically oversee the makings of most of the costumes, especially the ones done in college,” she says. “We’re making a lot of the big, very stylised pieces, which have been designed and made by hand, such as Glinda’s great big pink dress - which is really beautiful - and Oz’s robe.

“I also cover a lot of the sourcing for costumes - so, for example, for Auntie Em and Uncle Henry - and that includes me going through measurements and going to see what we’ve got and making orders if things need to be ordered. But even with the farm costumes, we’re breaking them down and adding mud and tears - so everything is being worked on to be really specific for this show.”

Sophia, who is also responsible for making the costume for Scarecrow and being a dresser during performances, is part of a team creating the outfits for the production.

“We’ve had to give a lot of time to it, but we all enjoy it. You really bond with the people you work with and become like a close family because you are spending so many hours together. In our costume team, even when we have busy days and are rushing to get stuff done, we’re doing it all together. 

“It’s nice that we have each other’s backs and support each other. When we have the funny moments, they are really funny, but when we have the sad moments, then we can support each other. It’s nice to have that environment around you.”

And Sophia says audience members will love this new panto version of The Wizard Of Oz.

“Lorna has a unique vision that is really fun. It’s a very exciting show - you don’t know what’s going to happen in the next moment because there are so many quips and fun visuals thrown in. You’re on the edge of your seat. 

“It’s a bit eccentric, and you don’t get that at all times of year and on big productions. I think you can bring your loved ones and have a really fun night out and a good laugh - that’s why I would recommend it.”

Feature by Diane Parkes

The Wizard Of Oz shows at Birmingham’s Old Rep Theatre until Tuesday 31 December. Visit oldrep.co.uk for tickets.