This Dorothy is not from Kansas but Hull and she leaves her family chippie the ‘Frying Nemo’ in search of adventure over the rainbow
With pantomime season in full swing, I recently enjoyed a night of laughter, mince pies and mulled wine courtesy of The Wizard of Oz now showing at Social in Humber Street.
Because it’s by Middle Child Theatre, proudly based in Hull, you get many, many more local jokes than your average run-of-the-mill touring show. The Yellow Brick Road proved ripe for parody of a certain traffic issue in Hull ongoing since 2020, and it was undeniably funny to see ‘Diversion’ and ‘Roadworks’ signs in the magical realm of Oz.
A bit of tongue in cheek ribbing of rival productions found its way into the script. The script, written by Middle Child director and CEO Paul Smith, was also stuffed with deadpan meta humour and pop culture references for the adults in the audience.
Our story starts with Dorothy, who is from her family chippie the Frying Nemo in Hull rather than Kansas. Josie Morley played the part with heart and charm and was a perfect protagonist.
Panto dame Pattie Breadcake returned (played by Marc Graham). It’s impressive to watch an actor flip so fluidly from comedy, to singing power ballads, to beating the drums, and thrashing out a guitar solo.
Alice Beaumont also reprised her usual role of villain, this time as The Wicked Witch, who was interpreted as an attention-seeking diva. She had a delightful cackle, and I loved her rather posh enunciations of the increasingly convoluted insults hurled at the heroes.
Sophie Clay was brilliant as Scarecrow who had a west country accent and an amusingly ponderous way of talking, due to the character having no brain. Emma Bright was also fantastic as the cowardly Lion, who was positively allergic to danger and would give a tiny sneeze every time there was any hint of threat.
Tin Man was played by Jack Chamberlain with very funny robotic affectations and turns of phrase. Without exception, the cast are all talented singers. Yet, for me, it was Tin Man’s version of Bonnie Tyler’s Total Eclipse of The Heart – belting out the lyric “a total rusting of the heart” – that was the highlight.
No Middle Child pantomime would be complete, however, without the addition of ‘Reluctant Stage Manager’ Andy Ross. In the most absurd adult dog costume imaginable for Toto, he gave a deadpan and long-suffering ‘woof’ that had the audience in fits of laughter.
Another star who deserves a shout-out is ‘Piano Natalie’ who was on the keys. The addition of exquisitely performed live music pulls the whole show together and makes it feel so polished for a relatively small production.
The show is now completely sold-out, but if you already have tickets – lucky you! This remains Hull’s funniest panto and I am sure you will enjoy every minute.
