Disability proves no barrier in Journey to Oz
Monday, May 14 2007
An inspiring adaptation of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ played to packed houses in Duns recently when people with learning disabilities and staff at Lanark Lodge day centre demonstrated their creative skills in an enthralling musical drama.
The production, called ‘Journey to Oz’ and tailored for the cast by director and producer Kay Forrest, took more than a year to put together. According to SBC Day Centre Officer at Lanark Lodge, Graham Mann, every single person at the centre and every member of staff was involved in staging the show in some way, from acting or making costumes and scenery to organising publicity.
Set to the soundtrack of the 1939 classic starring Judy Garland, the one-and-a-half hour show featured a polished performance by Dorothy, played with great sensitivity by Lynn Baxter. She was joined by a sympathetic Scarecrow (Kenneth Drummond), a convincing cowardly Lion (John Taylor) and a dignified Tinman (Steven Bystry). Kay Forrest managed to keep everyone in the right place at the right time with boundless energy and expert terrier growls as Toto the dog.
Every aspect of ‘Journey to Oz’ was brimful of fun, to the obvious delight of cast and audience. The Munchkins sported brilliant costumes in dolly-mixture colours and the wicked witch (Lisa Reid) was a masterpiece in terror and the Wizard of Oz himself (Bert Craig) the personification of the blustering bully who is shamed into kindness. John Lamb and Marion Pride were convincingly ‘down home’ as Uncle Henry and Aunt Em, while good witches Kathleen Gordon and Amanda Hanlon were resplendent in their crowns and gowns.
Like ‘The Wizard of Oz‘, ‘Journey to Oz’ was about self-discovery and empowerment - the discovery that apparent imperfections do not make a person less valuable and that ‘might is not always right’.
As Kay Forrest explains: “Drama is a really great way of working with people who have learning disabilities because it’s a level playing field. It makes everyone equal.
“’Journey to Oz’ started out as a piece of drama that began to take on a life of its own. Costumes, props, programmes, singing, acting dancing, make-up… our yellow brick road has provided the basis for much laughter, learning and creativity.
“Whilst we had a destination in mind, it has always been the journey that matters, the process of creating. Each performance has brought something new, whether a new dance move or greater confidence. ‘Journey to Oz’ has been filled with enthusiasm, teamwork and the best cast ever.”
Meanwhile, Lanark Lodge is already working on its next dramatic production. Watch this space for ‘Grease’ - to be staged at Christmas.
Unified Solutions.