"The Wiz"

Cwmtawe Community School

Annual School Production

Tuesday December 1st, Wednesday December 2nd, Thursday December 3rd.

Following last January's production of "Fiddler on the Roof" the pupils of Cwmtawe return to Pontardawe Arts Centre this December with their production of "The Wiz."

While similar in plot to "The Wizard of Oz," "The Wiz" is a more fun, funky modern version of the original. Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas, is blown away by a Tornado into Munchkinland in the Land of Oz. She is told that only the all powerful "Wiz" of the Emerald City has the knowledge to send her home. Dorothy, of course, befriends the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion in her search for the Wizard. On her journey she defeats the Wicked Witch of the West and goes to see the Wiz who turns out to be nothing more than a smalltime Omaha hustler and a fraud. However, all is not lost when Dorothy discovers that she can use the power of her silver slippers to get back to Kansas.

Some of the musical's famous songs include "He's the Wiz" and "Ease on Down the Road," sung by Dorothy and her friends as they dance down the yellow brick road.

Pupils from year 7 to 11 are busy working hard rehearsing for this year's Annual School Production. They have already been away on a successful rehearsal weekend to Dan-Y-Coed Education Centre in Mumbles and continue to rehearse during their lunch breaks and after school. They are certainly a very dedicated cast and chorus.

However, being a School Production, staff in numerous departments in the school are all preparing for the show as well. Whilst members of the Drama and Music departments work together in rehearsals the Design and Technology department, to name but a few, are busy designing and building the set. In addition, pupils and staff alike are appreciative and fortunate of the support of parents during this busy time in build-up to the performance in December.

"The Wiz" is a fun, upbeat, toe-tapping family show and the pupils of Cwmtawe can't wait to show off their acting, singing and dancing talents to their audiences. Everyone is welcome.

"The Wiz" will be performed in Pontardawe Arts Centre on Tuesday December 1st to Thursday December 3rd. The show will start at 7:30pm and tickets are £7 and £5 concessions. For tickets please contact the box office on 01792 863722 or online www.pontardaweartscentre.com