As an NSTA representative, it was a pleasure to attend the final performance of the Hertfordshire and Essex High School production of The Wizard of Oz on Saturday 31st January 2026. Directed with skill by Ms Tracy Dorrington, with Musical Direction by Mr Jonthan Ngai, Stage Management by Ms Katherine Porter, Production by Mr Lee Mansfield and produced by Mr Peter Clayton, it was immediately apparent that the cast, crew, and front-of-house team thoroughly enjoyed putting on this show.
The story of The Wizard of Oz is well known, mainly due to the 1939 film based on L. Frank Baum’s original novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The version staged by Hertfordshire and Essex High School – adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company, with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg – adhered faithfully to the original tale, containing all the essential ingredients expected from such an iconic piece of theatre. As the audience took their seats, the anticipation in the full house was palpable.
The four principals were excellent. Bethany was delightful in the role of Dorothy, possessing a great stage presence and a characterisation that remained consistent throughout. She clearly relished the role; her facial expressions were a joy to watch, capturing wonder, excitement, and occasional disappointment through both her expressions and her body language. Freddie gave a well-observed performance as the Scarecrow, using his physicality to effectively embody his character. His falls were well-managed and while it is a difficult physicality to sustain, Freddie executed this with great skill. Zoe was also very good as the Tin Man, boasting a lovely singing voice. Her characterisation offered a slightly different interpretation from the traditional norm, providing a refreshing and effective take on the role. Ethan performed with great comic effect as the Lion, supported by strong, well-rounded vocals. He displayed a natural talent for finding the comedy in a role, and his expressions significantly enhanced the performance.
There were strong performances from the supporting actors too, notably Charlotte as the Wicked Witch, Jessica as Glinda, and Leah as Uncle Henry. Charlotte’s characterisation of the Wicked Witch was excellent, and she took full advantage of the audience’s vocal reactions to her every entrance. Jessica’s performance as Glinda was also strong, bringing warmth, elegance and a reassuring stage presence to the role. She demonstrated confident vocal delivery and clear character intention. Leah displayed fantastic comic timing in the role of Uncle Henry, proving to be a natural comedienne who made the very most of the character.
The rest of the cast with speaking parts were strong and projected clearly, which is a testament to the show’s direction and the encouragement provided by the creative team. The ensemble was large, and the performance space was used intelligently to accommodate them. Everyone appeared to be enjoying the experience, maintaining strong performances even from the back line. The pupils with speaking parts in the Munchkin scene and at the castle gates deserve particular commendation; there are clearly talented performers in the making here. The use of the Toto puppet was also a highlight, handled excellently by the puppeteers, Keira, Shoshana, Megan, Freja and Romily.
The tornado scene – notoriously difficult to represent on stage – was handled well; the dancers and their drapes were used to great effect. Despite the small stage, the company successfully maintained the swirling movement required for the scene: a fantastic piece of choreography by pupils Izzie and Hoillie. The poppy field scene was also very well choreographed, with the use of lit wings proving highly effective. The Munchkin scene was a standout moment where the cast appeared truly in their element, as was ‘The Merry Old Land of Oz’ later in the show – another excellent opportunity for the entire company to shine.
From the very large cast it was clear that there is a desire at Hertfordshire & Essex High School to involve as many pupils as possible. Beyond the large ensemble, the sheer number of pupils involved in the choreography, set, costume and prop design, as well as the stage crew, sound and lighting design, was a magnificent display of teamwork. The orchestra – led by conductor Mr Jonthan Ngai – was well-balanced and provided consistent support to the singers, all the more impressive for the fact that it was made up of eighteen pupil musicians, supported by just four staff musicians. But further than this, a notable achievement of this production was its student leadership. With pupil Sid as Assistant Director, Sofia as Stage Manager, and pupils Mabel and Sueda leading costumes, the level of dedication and autonomy from pupils was remarkable.
The Wizard of Oz was a remarkable success, making clear that the school is a strong supporter of the performing arts as a means of bringing pupils together. In Director Ms Dorrington’s own words “we shine brighter when we work together.” This message – that Dorothy’s success stems from the support, loyalty and combined strength of her friends – remains deeply pertinent to young people today. Hertfordshire and Essex High School delivered this with joy and enthusiasm, providing the audience with a refreshing journey down the yellow brick road. Congratulations are due to everyone involved in the success of this production.