Follow the yellow brick road for a popular fantasy classic

Dorothy will be hoping many of her friends can join her as a youth theatre group perform a stage version of one of the most beloved films of all time.
Ashley Cook who plays Dorothy and Shadow as Toto of The Youth Theatre in Market Harborough during rehearsals of The Wizard of Oz.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER NNL-160119-101756001Ashley Cook who plays Dorothy and Shadow as Toto of The Youth Theatre in Market Harborough during rehearsals of The Wizard of Oz.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER NNL-160119-101756001
Ashley Cook who plays Dorothy and Shadow as Toto of The Youth Theatre in Market Harborough during rehearsals of The Wizard of Oz. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER NNL-160119-101756001

The Youth Theatre in Market Harborough is performing the L. Frank Baum classic The Wizard of Oz for a number of performances between Saturday, January 23, and Saturday, January 30.

The story chronicles the adventures of a young farm girl named Dorothy in the magical Land of Oz, after she and her pet dog Toto are swept away from their Kansas home by a cyclone.

The novel was originally published in 1900 and a Broadway musical was debuted two years later. However it is the 1939 film version starring Judy Garland which made the story one of the most celebrated of all time.

Rachel Beasant, Ellis Potter, Ashley Cook, Ellis Barthorpe and Benjamin Studd of The Youth Theatre in Market Harborough during rehearsals of The Wizard of Oz.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERRachel Beasant, Ellis Potter, Ashley Cook, Ellis Barthorpe and Benjamin Studd of The Youth Theatre in Market Harborough during rehearsals of The Wizard of Oz.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
Rachel Beasant, Ellis Potter, Ashley Cook, Ellis Barthorpe and Benjamin Studd of The Youth Theatre in Market Harborough during rehearsals of The Wizard of Oz. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

A cast made up of youngsters from Market Harborough and the surrounding area have been rehearsing the show since August.

There will be performances at 2pm and 5pm on Saturday, January 23, and then 1pm and 4.30pm on Sunday.

Performances carry on into the following week with shows at 7.30pm on Thursday, January 28, and Friday, January 29. The final performances are at 1pm and 4.30pm on Saturday, January 30.

There will also be a student night tonight (Thursday) with tickets available only on the door at £5.

Rachel Beasant, Ellis Potter, Ashley Cook, Ellis Barthorpe and Benjamin Studd of The Youth Theatre in Market Harborough during rehearsals of The Wizard of Oz.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERRachel Beasant, Ellis Potter, Ashley Cook, Ellis Barthorpe and Benjamin Studd of The Youth Theatre in Market Harborough during rehearsals of The Wizard of Oz.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
Rachel Beasant, Ellis Potter, Ashley Cook, Ellis Barthorpe and Benjamin Studd of The Youth Theatre in Market Harborough during rehearsals of The Wizard of Oz. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

For those who are familiar with the show, all the original songs are included.

Anyone in the audience is invited by the cast to sing along to any songs if they know them.

Tickets for the show are priced at £10 for adults, £8 for concessions and £7 for children. There are family tickets available at a cost of £28.

They can be bought in advance by visiting Synergy Dancewear on St Mary’s Road in Market Harborough.

They can be purchased online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/theyouththeatre

Some tickets maybe available on the door but anyone wanting to guarantee entrance to the show is advised to book their tickets in advance.

For more information give The Youth Theatre a call on 07887 895 982 or visit www.theyouththeatre.org.uk.