Children's theatre group recreate "The Wizard of Oz"

Star Wars has been around for over 30 years now, but that's nothing compared to one that's been around for a hundred years, and inspired one of Hollywood's all-time most successful films. The famous film is "The Wizard of Oz," and now, a children's theatre company in Australia has revamped and developed it into a lively modern stage show.

Ursula Yovich is one of Australia's most versatile stage performers. Playing the central role of Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz" has made her look back to childhood. She says she plays the character extra young, and the audience responds well to this even though she is obviously not 12, but in fact nearly 32.

This Windmill Theatre production from Adelaide is true to the story, but uses multi-media effects and a modern cast of freshly updated characters to appeal to a new generation of audiences.

Judy Garland's performance as Dorothy in the 1939 film classic helped make it one of the most popular movies of all time.

Ursula Yovich was pregnant when she was approached to wear the famous red shoes. She hesitated at first, but has now given the role a new energy.

The theatre company's Artistic Director Rosemary Myers is thrilled with the way Ursula Yovich brings truth to the role, saying she gives a powerful performance.

Rosemary Myers, artistic director, said, "She kind of has to bring the truth to it and she has to bring the emotional stakes. She has to make us believe the emotion in this over the top world that we've made and she really packs a punch, I think".

When Yovich sings "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" she can see another meaning.

As an aboriginal woman she dreams of something amazing in the future for her children and grandchildren.

Source: CCTV online