By Samantha Cartwright and Emma Houldershaw
A modern pantomime twist on L Frank Baum’s timeless masterpiece.
Plot Summary
Join Dorothy and her dog Toto as she finds herself in the land of Oz. Follow her along the Yellow Brick Road, with her friends the Scarecrow, the Tinman and the Lion, as she journeys to the Emerald City to ask the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, to send her home to Kansas. The four friends are unknowingly followed by Dorothy’s Auntie Em and farm hand Harry Trotter. Meet Salt and Pepper, two flying monkeys who work for the Wicked Witch of the West, not quite as ‘street’ as they think they are, and not quite as bad as the Witch would like them to be. Will Dorothy make it to the Wizard without the Witch stopping her, and will she click her heels and discover there really is no place like home?
CAST
Dorothy, Scarecrow, Lion, Tinman, Wizard, Wicked Witch/Mrs West, Glinda, Auntie Em, Toto, Harry Trotter, Salt & Pepper, Guard, Munchkins 1 & 2, Lumberjack (non-speaking)
Chorus parts: Munchkins, Emerald City Folk, Farm Workers, Witch’s Guards, Poppies, Spook, Moving Trees
3 Female, 2 Male, 7 Male or Female
An Excerpt from The Wizard of Oz
ACT 1
Scene 1
Auntie Em’s Farm. The farmhouse is situated R. It has a practical door, picket fence at each side of the door, small flats with farm animals are situated L. Scene and costumes should be sepia-toned and can be done on half stage with the Munchkin scene set behind.
The chorus of farm hands, Dorothy, Toto and Harry are on stage for the opening number
Song 1
Chorus go about their daily farm business. Dorothy is talking to some of the chorus ignoring the speech Harry is giving. Toto is following her constantly, greeting all the chorus. Harry talks to the audience
Harry Hello everybody, my name’s Harry Trotter, that’s Trotter, not Potter, and I work here in Kansas on Auntie Em’s farm. That’s her niece, Dorothy, isn’t she lovely? (audience respond). She’s much lovelier than that (audience respond again). Can I tell you a secret? I think Dorothy is the most beautiful girl in the whole world. I’m in love with her but she doesn’t notice me. Maybe one day she will but, until then, I’m happy just to have her as my friend.
Chorus One Hi Harry, did you hear about the trouble Dorothy got into today with Toto?
Harry No, what happened?
Chorus Two Toto’s been eating Mrs West’s flowers again.
Harry I bet Mrs West wasn’t too pleased about that.
Chorus show fear of Mrs West
Chorus Three She wasn’t, she chased Dorothy and Toto almost all the way home.
Dorothy approaches with Toto. Harry looks at her as if to say, what are you like?
Dorothy Don’t look at me like that, I tried to stop him but he just loves those flowers.
Toto takes a flower out of his mouth and hides it behind his back; he is at Dorothy’s side looking a bit guilty. Dorothy pets him reassuringly.
Harry Dorothy, I know you want to make Toto happy but if he keeps eating Mrs West’s flowers, he’s going to get himself in real trouble – you know what she’s like!
Dorothy I’m not worried about her, what could she possibly do to Toto?
Harry I’m just looking out for you, like I always do.
Dorothy I know you are Harry, you’re the best friend I’ve ever had.
Chorus 4 Quick everyone, back to work, Auntie Em’s on her way out.
Dorothy, Harry, Toto and chorus exit to L and R, Auntie Em enters from the house
Em Oh, where’s everybody gone? I thought I heard voices out here. (To audience) Ooh, where did you lot come from? Did the agency send you? I know I said I needed some more staff but this many’s ridiculous! But you’re here now, suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Emily Gale but you can call me Auntie Em. This is my farm. What a day I’ve had, went to the doctor’s this morning and I asked: “doctor, do you think I need glasses?” He said: “you certainly do Miss, this is a fish and chip shop”. So when I finally found the doctor’s I told him I keep seeing things – one minute it’s Donald Duck, the next it’s Minnie Mouse. He asked me how long I’ve been having these Disney spells. Then I said: “I think I’m suffering from déjà vu”. He said: “didn’t I see you yesterday!”
Mrs West enters L, storming on in a mood
Mrs West Emily Gale, I’ve got a bone to pick with you.
Em (to audience) Look what the wind blew in, wicked old Mrs West, she’s always round here causing a fuss.
Mrs West Sorry, what was that?
Em Nothing Dear, I’m just off to catch a bus.
Mrs West You’re not going anywhere. Where’s that wretched dog? He’s eaten my flowers one time too many so I’ve got a court order here, I’ve come to take him.
Em You’re not taking him anywhere, that will break Dorothy’s heart.
Mrs West There’s nothing you can do about it, I’ve got the law on my side.
Em That’s about all you’ve got on your side – no friends, no family, nobody likes you round here.
Mrs West I don’t care, popularity is over rated.
Em You’d better watch yourself, you’ll turn green with envy.
Toto comes running on followed by Dorothy from L. Harry and chorus enter from L and R
Dorothy Toto come back, Toto!
Em Dorothy, take Toto inside.
Dorothy Why? What’s going on?
Mrs West This is what’s going on, that scraggy mutt has crossed me one too many times, I’m here to take him.
Dorothy Take him where?
Mrs West I have a court order here to have that mangy dog destroyed.
Dorothy Destroyed? No, you can’t, tell her Auntie Em, she’s not taking him.
Em I’ve tried Dorothy dear, but there’s nothing I can do, I’m sorry, she’s got the law on her side.
Dorothy (crying and hugging Toto) You can’t do this, I won’t let you.
Mrs West I will be back at 6 – have him ready – good day to you.
Mrs West exits L
Lightning and thunder strike throughout the following dialogue
Em (shouting after her) You won’t get away with this!
Harry Don’t worry Dorothy, we’ll think of something. I won’t let her take Toto, no matter what.
Em I think there’s a storm brewing, Harry, let’s get to work.
Dorothy Toto, we have to run away, I won’t let Mrs West take you, it’s the only way. Come on Toto!
Dorothy grabs a suitcase from side of stage R and they run into the audience
Em We need to work fast, it’s a twister and it’s a big one. Get the horses in the stables, make sure everything is tied down, round the sheep up, put the chickens in their coup, get inside the shelter everyone!
All chorus and principals start hurrying around, collecting farm equipment, tying things down, running for cover, off stage R and L. Harry and Auntie Em run to the house, projections of a tornado start with storm music to complement it. Toto and Dorothy run back onto the stage from audience
Dorothy Come on Toto, back inside the house.
Dorothy exits into the house. Once behind the house scenery Dorothy needs to change into coloured outfits. Dorothy will have a very quick change on side of stage