Hundreds dashed off to see the wizard last week at Barrfields Pavilion Theatre and all agreed they were on the road to great entertainment (writes Drew Cochrane).

Following Largs Youth Theatre’s joint adult/children production of Annie three years ago the same combination was applied to ‘The Wizard of Oz’ with around 60 young members involved as Munchkins, sprites and little devils (no doubt parents would agree).

Under the direction of Marianne Yeomans, musical director Ryan Moir and choreographer Ruairidh Forde the fantastic story of Dorothy being blown all the way from Kansas to the mystical land of witches and wizards was spread over stage, auditorium and the big screen.

The kids were great. Of course, they were. Full of movement, enthusiasm, wide smiles and creating great choral sounds on the songs.

They were always the chorus but you could see the work that went in to drilling, regimenting and rehearsing the constant toing and froing around the auditorium.

Inevitably, the guest adults and teenagers were the stars of the show as the story is much more of a drama than a musical.

Mind you, Eleanor Jarvie who played Dorothy has graduated through the ranks of the youth theatre and now attends the West End Stage course in London. She got to sing ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ which is always a show stopper and she acted the part superbly.

Teenagers Ben Gilmartin, Jordin Revel and Alastair Maxwell who starred with Eleanor in Largs Academy’s ‘Les Miserables’ this year stepped up the plate as the Tinman, The Scarecrow and The Wizard respectively. They were backed up by Greenock actress Jacqui Templeton as The Lion.

They all looked good and worked well together but allow me to single out Alastair Maxwell. He was a funny, quirky Wizard who carried the role with aplomb and the required eccentricity. This lad looks like a future Dr Who! Most of the comedy came from him and, possibly, overall there should have been more funny moments in this show.

There was also the professionalism of seasoned actresses, Liz Samuel as Aunt Em/Glinda and Linda McMurray as Miss Gulch/The Wicked Witch. These ladies have played some of the best roles in theatre and they gave added polish to the production.

Linda was tremendous as the Wicked Witch (and what make-up by Margaret Ann McKinnon); she strutted, shrieked and enunciated as the villainess of the piece.

Congratulations to one of the parents making his debut as Uncle Henry/Mayor - Alan Milligan who carried off the rustic American fella really well. Incidentally, there were also adult members of the extensive chorus who truly filled the Barrfields stage.

A real blockbuster move was having, as part of the clever video images, River City actor Tom Urie as the face and voice of The Wizard on screen. Tom is patron of the youth theatre. Animations were by David McGarvey.

Ryan Moir, who is the new chairman of LYT, directed a big orchestra. Scenic art and design was by stage manager Emma Yeoman, assistant Megan Yeomans and their director mum Marianne. Lighting was by Stuart McKinnon, and sound by James Gibb.

There are too many participants for this writer to mention but let’s just say that over this particular rainbow was a pot pourri of young talent from a great little company.