“If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own back yard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with.”
The tear jerking finale from the beloved musical film version of The Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland, as Dorothy arrives home from her adventures over the rainbow.
The original book, written by Frank Baum in 1900, is the most enduring American fairy story for children. It’s also a profound morality tale for us all. Recent spinoffs include Tin Man, the award winning sci-fi TV series starring Alan Cumming, and Wicked the stage musical.
Baum’s magical world of Oz has now inspired Greg Allen to write a contemporary, soap opera-styled drama about a dysfunctional British family, based on six of the original characters.
We first meet Dorothy, dressed in blue gingham dress and sparkling ruby slippers, playing with her dog, Toto. She is talking disturbingly about her experience of grief.
The setting is the lounge in the home of Aunt Wendy, an overtly religious and pious woman, where she lives with her three nephews, Mo, Howard and Tim.
Mo, aged about 16, is a timid boy lost in his own imagination, preferring to sit whispering with Dorothy drawing pictures. Howard is colourfully gay in dress and manner, but lacks confidence, unsure what to say. Tim likes to be in control, shows no emotion and, as we see later, is heartlessly insensitive to the feelings of others.
Their sister Linda arrives from their family home in Ireland, welcomed by all except Aunt Wendy, annoyed at this intrusion, as she gulps down a few glasses of sherry. Linda wants to persuade the boys to come home, to be a happy family again.
The mystery deepens and darkens with hints about family secrets, lost love, broken romance and a possible tragedy that occurred. When Dorothy is regarded as wicked and responsible for all the trouble, her only ally is the childlike Mo, who finds it difficult to communicate.
This fresh re-working of our lovable Oz characters, - Dorothy, Scarecrow, Lion and Tin Man, et al. - creates a bewitching drama blending the fantasy of our dreams and ideals with the reality of modern family life and the battle between good and evil.
Unfortunately, the denouement is rather sudden and melodramatic with several loose ends in the story line unexplained.
Apparently the original one and a half hour play had to be condensed into just 50 minutes. It is a complex plot and a programme listing the on/off stage characters and family relationships would be helpful.
The young A level student cast shows a mature confidence with their subtle characterisations, all directed with pace and precision. In particular, Adam Spencer captures the emotional insecurity of the autistic Mo; Ruth Parker is perfect as the wide eyed Dorothy, all girlish innocence with hidden knowingness.
This is Greg Allen’s first play and the stage debut for Jealous Whale Theatre Company - that's what the Edinburgh Fringe is all about.
"Dorothy" certainly shows promise and great potential which could and should be developed into a stronger, longer, psychological drama.
“I think you are wrong to want a heart. It makes most people unhappy” The Wizard of Oz.
Show times
5 - 10 August, 2013, 12.45pm.
Ticket prices
£6.50 (£5)