Wicked

Finishing the year with flare, the Players are presenting Wicked in a bright, refreshing telling of the goings on leading up to The Wizard of Oz.

The vocally demanding role of Galinda/Glinda is shared by Ella Jackowski and Tammy Dundon, and likewise Elphaba by Justine Guttridge and Liz van Eck. The supporting cast includes Melanie Dorien, Luke Hogan, Jacinta Hunter, Liam Gatt, Carl Moore and Rod Ramsey.

Ballina’s “mechanical styled” set and a cast of almost 50 colourfully costumed performers created the story from Gregory Maguire’s novel and everyone had a ball in doing so.

The technical support and effects worked really well, enhancing the production in telling the tale and the audience were very appreciative of the entire presentation.  

Ballina audiences are very supportive of their ‘home grown’ theatre company and with the addition of extra performances the Players know exactly what their audiences want.

The orchestra was superb and didn’t drown out the singers at any time, while the clear diction made it easy for those older audience members (of which there were quite a few) to follow the plot.

Director Jacquie McCalman, M.D. Ben Ryan and Choreographers Anna Jaques, Abby McCalman and Bethay Young have certainly “nailed it” and the proof of their combined efforts is the result the audience witnessed on stage.

Congratulations on a fabulous show!

Roger McKenzie

Photo: Lyn Gale