Perhaps the cutest thing about The Wizard of Oz musical that opens today in Dubai’s Madinat Theatre is that the role of Toto, the dog, is played by two pups.
Adapted from the 1939 Academy Award-winning musical, which was based on the children’s book by L Frank Baum, the show is being presented by Popular Productions and celebrates the 75th anniversary of the film.
John Payton, the director, says he wanted Toto to have as much personality as any of the other characters, and a doggy casting call was duly made in Dubai earlier this year. Of the 13 shortlisted canines, nine-month-old Pepper and five-month-old Jack, were chosen for their temperament. Pepper is a Jack Russell shih tzu and Pepper is a yorkiepoo, and they take turns to perform in alternate shows.
“They have been in rehearsals with the cast for quite some time, and have adapted well to the busy schedule,” says Payton. “Jack and Pepper are brilliant little characters.”
The musical, which boasts all the original songs in the film (Somewhere over the Rainbow is on the list, of course), has not been easy to direct.
“The most challenging aspect was to find the correct balance between a stage show and a presentation of a movie live on stage,” says Payton. “There are so many famous scenes that the audience expects, yet I wanted to present a musical that feels fresh.”
In fact, he promises a scene in which the wicked witch dies, and “melts right before your eyes”.
The 28-year-old British stage actress Elizabeth Carter (pictured), who plays the 14-year-old Dorothy, is thrilled about her role, not least because she gets to hang out with the two adorable puppies.
“Dorothy dreams of this magical world and to live it out,” explains Carter, who has previously performed in the UK stage productions of Dreamboats and Petticoats and Save the Last Dance for Me. “She steps into this world of possibilities. I think it resonates with me because I’ve always dreamt of being an actress. The movie made me believe that you can live your dreams.”
And while she feels that all the characters are equally entertaining – “Scarecrow is clumsy, Tin Man and Lion are so funny, it is hard to pick” – she is most excited about the “magic” shoes Dorothy gets to wear.
“I get to slip on those ruby slippers,” says Carter. “The wardrobe department has done a great job of making my dance shoes all sparkly.”
• The Wizard of Oz is at Madinat Theatre in Jumeirah from today until April 18. Tickets are priced at Dh200; call 04 366 6546 to book. For more information, visit www.wizardofozlive.com
aahmed@thenational.ae