THIS autumn's production from the ever-popular Hereford Musical Theatre Company is the classic The Wizard of Oz.

Directed by Steve Liddle, The Wizard of Oz tells the story of Dorothy Gale, a small town girl from Kansas who runs away from her home with her best friend, Toto the dog, only to be whipped into the air by a ferocious storm. To find her way back to her beloved home and into the arms of Aunty Em, Dorothy is instructed by the beautiful witch Glinda to follow the yellow brick road and consult the Wizard of Oz. Wearing a pair of ruby slippers that once belonged to the Wicked Witch of the East, she begins her journey. Along the way she is joined by a scarecrow, a tin man and a cowardly lion, in search of a brain, a heart and some courage respectively. But their journey is often interrupted by the evil workings of the Wicked Witch of the West and her dark magic. Will they ever make it to the Wizard?

Whilst Steve is no stranger to musical theatre, this is his directorial debut for the company. He played the voice of the flesh-eating Venus flytrap in HMTC’s Little Shop of Horrors, and is artistic director of Ross-On-Wye based production company X-Entricity, who recently toured their production of Les Miserables to The Courtyard. He has worked with touring shows Back to Broadway and is a classically trained singer, and now he is bringing Oz to life for HMTC.

“I saw it as quite a challenge,” he says. “I have never really been that familiar with the Wizard of Oz, and wasn't a big fan initially. But then I was sent the script and I realised that the show is actually a lot funnier than I thought, and I saw all sorts of possibilities. I also saw it as an appealing challenge, because the show is so familiar, so I really wanted to do something different with this production.”

This particular production will use the RSC version of the production and will see some new and familiar faces taking on the four pivotal roles. Playing the leading role of Dorothy, will be 19-year-old Holly Clack, who has performed with local companies such as Bottleneck and X-Entricity, most recently playing Eponine in Les Miserables. Playing the scarecrow will be Jack Chambers, who's currently studying Musical Theatre at college and also no stranger to the stage having played Marius Les Miserables. Elliott Gooch, a student at Hereford Sixth Form College will play the tin man. Holly, Jack and Elliot are performing with HMTC for the first time and they're joined by HMTC member Lewis Booton, Billy Lawlor in the company's production of 42nd Street, as the cowardly lion.

“We have such a talented cast and production team, with Jenni Axtell as musical director and Sarah Jane Matthews choreographing” says Steve. “It's been a challenge as this is actually the first time I’ve worked with a big company and children, so that has really stretched me as a director.”

“This show is going to be spectacular. It is much more up-to-date, and we have been very inventive and original with our set and scenery. Ours is definitely a unique production, and I am definitely a Wizard of Oz convert now.

The Wizard of Oz runs at The Courtyard from Tuesday, November 4 to Saturday, November 8 at 7.30pm, with a matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm. To book, callt he box office on 01432 340555 or visit courtyard.org.uk