Art imitates life in The Algarveans Experimental Theatre’s autumn production of “The Wizard of Oz”. It is the first musical staged by The Algarveans in several years and will bring the cinematic classic’s blockbuster songs and characters to life at the Carlos do Carmo Auditorium in Lagoa in November.
The musical centres on a young Kansas farm girl, Dorothy Gale, and her adventures in the magical land of Oz. Dorothy and her dog, Toto, are swept away by a tornado to a bright and magical world the likes of which she has never seen before. There, she makes a mortal enemy of the Wicked Witch of the West when her house falls on the witch’s sister. In Oz, she befriends a scarecrow, a tin man, and a cowardly lion, and together they set off on a journey along the Yellow Brick Road towards the Emerald City. There they plan to beseech the all-powerful Wizard (of Oz) to return Dorothy to Kansas, to grant the scarecrow a brain, the tinman a heart and the lion some courage.
Dorothy is played by Algarveans’ newcomer Abigail Townson, who, like her character, feels “there’s no place like home”. Born and raised in the Algarve, Abigail attended Barlavento English School and The International School of the Algarve before heading to Drama School in London where she gained a Professional Acting Diploma. She toured the UK in pantomime and performed as a “scare” actor at the London Dungeon. Now back in Portugal, she works as a freelance voice-over actress and is very excited to fulfil her childhood dream of playing the part of Dorothy.
“I’m nervous, but that always gives me more buzz and adrenaline to challenge myself to do what I am most passionate about,” says Abigail. “I can’t wait to throw all I have into this.”
“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 now on sale 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
