Off to see the wizard!

A WHOPPING 45 Mortlake College students followed the yellow brick road this week as the school showcased this year’s production; The Wizard of Oz, Youth Edition.

Talent: Mortlake College students thrilled the audience this week with their performance of The Wizard of Oz, Youth Edition. Pictured is Isabella Pickford starring as Dorothy and Lacey Killen starring as Toto.

The production featured a large ensemble cast in addition to Isabella Pickford as Dorothy, Nathan Mann as Scarecrow, Beau Maddock as Lion, Geordie Rollings-Wurak as Tin Man, Lacy Killen as Toto, Kara Ledgard as the Wicked Witch, Ashlee Killen as Glinda and Elijah Mavrommatis as The Wizard.

Mortlake College assistant principal and production director Anne De Manser said she could not have been prouder of the students showcasing their talent as they not only performed in the production, but created most of the choreography and blocking.

“It’s been a whole school commitment to putting on a show of good quality,” she said.

“We’ve got 45 kids from Year Six through to Year 12 who have been rehearsing since the beginning of the year in our class time and some after school time.”

The Monday matinee was a special one for the students.

In addition to the showing being the most popular for grandparents to attend, the school also welcomed in residents of Aberlea aged care and a cohort of excited children from Mortlake Kindergarten.

“It’s really rewarding,” Mrs De Manser said.

“We had a matinee for our own little kids last week, and they really enjoyed it.

“I think they like seeing where they are heading to – the Year Five students get excited for what they’ll have the chance to do next year.”

The students were also elated to welcome in Lyle Russell, a long-time Mortlake College stalwart who had helped students put on dozens of productions over the years.

“Our students often ask me who Lyle Russell is and I tell them to look at our wall of framed production posters – her name is on all of them,” Mrs De Manser said.

“We wanted to put on a big performance for her because she was the start of all of our performing arts.”