After almost one and a half years of waiting, the curtain finally came down on a hugely successful run of performances from a groups of local dancers.

’The Wizard of Oz’, produced by the Christine Wild Theatre School and the Rachel Wild Dance School, finally made it to the Gaiety Theatre stage after enduring six different postponements and changes of dates, brought on by the lockdown restrictions.

In the end, the huge cast of more than 200 dancers and actors gleefully took their chance and performed the spectacular version of the RSC musical production of the show, based on the famous film, with a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and energy.

The cast featured children as young as five years old, right through to adult performers and featured Jennifer Hill, who played the role of Dorothy, with understudy Abbie Williams filling in for the Saturday night performance.

Josh Riordan, Jemima Caine and Rebecca Keeley played the roles of Dorothy’s sidekicks, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion, with the role of the wicked witch played by Mary Louise Buxton.

Show producer and choreographer Christine Wild paid tribute to the cast for their patience and perseverance following the protracted wait and also paid her thanks to everyone who went to extra effort to help get the play on to the stage.

’It’s is such a great feeling after all this time to have finished the play,’ said Christine.

’The kids had a ball and were brilliant all week.

’Everyone was so enthusiastic and so keen to get on stage and on the first night, as soon as the curtains closed, they all gave a huge cheer. It was an incredible feeling.

’And after we finally closed the show on the last night, there were a few tears shed and it was quite emotional and the realisation crept in that we had actually done it, after all the delays and the uncertainty we’ve been through.

’But it was huge relief to put the show on and to give these kids their chance to perform on the Gaiety stage.

’I have to thank all the parents and ex-pupils who got involved and helped out in any way, from chaperoning the children to helping to build the set.

’Also, we have to thanks the Isle of Man Arts Council and Manx Glass and Glazing for their support.’