Dorothy Gale, a young Kansas farm girl who finds herself transported via tornado to the magical land of Oz, just wants to return home. She sets out along the Yellow Brick Road to ask the powerful Wizard of Oz for his help, but soon realises she can only do so with the help of a few new friends she meets along the way.
The close bonds of friendship between the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion are duplicated among the real-life actors who play the characters in the Algarveans Experimental Theatre Group’s stage version of “The Wizard of Oz”.
Carl Wilson (Scarecrow), Alan Smith (Tin Man) and Frank Remiatte (Cowardly Lion) are some of the newest members of the Lagoa-based troupe that has been entertaining Algarve audiences for 27 years.
Alan Smith is making his Algarveans’ première in “The Wizard of Oz”. Originally from London, he settled in the Algarve two years ago. While in London, he performed in several cabarets and musical theatre productions. He enjoys the energy of the young cast. “Members of the cast sometimes have hidden talents which come out over the course of rehearsals,” Smith says. “It’s fascinating watching them develop, often surprising themselves, especially the younger ones!”
Carl Wilson is not only new to the Algarveans’ stage, but this will mark his first time onstage since his school days in Manchester. He wanted to push his boundaries being in front of an audience again, and it’s a challenge he welcomes. “Having never tried my hand at anything like this before, I was curious to see just how much really goes on behind the curtain,” Wilson says. “It’s a real pleasure to be part of something with such lovely people.”
Patrons will have seen Frank Remiatte as the lady-chasing race announcer in last spring’s “Ladies’ Day”. That was his first time onstage in the Algarve after moving here from San Diego, California, in 2017, but his current role is one his heart’s been set on for years. He says: “I had the pleasure of playing the Tin Man in 2001 but have had the Lion on my bucket list since I was a kid.”
“The Wizard of Oz” will be performed in English at the 300-seat Carlos do Carmo Auditorium in Lagoa on November 21, 22 and 23, at 7.45pm and a 2pm matinee on November 23. Tickets at €10 are available at all Worten and Fnac stores as well as the Auditorium box office, or online at www.ticketline.pt.
For all enquiries, visit www.algarveans.com
Photo: Lion (Frank Remiattte), Tin Man (Alan Smith), Scarecrow (Carl Wilson) and Dorothy (Abigail Townson)
