AN ADAPTATION of The Wizard of Oz is the upcoming production by the junior section of Eastleigh Operatic & Musical Society.

The multi-award-winning cast of seven to 19-year-olds have declared that they will be performing the kaleidoscopic, groovy musical, The Wiz, in their trademark high-energy style.

Wiz was immortalised in the 1970s by a megastar cast led by Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, and includes the much-loved numbers Ease on Down the Road, Soon as I get Home and Believe in Yourself.

The original Broadway show ran for four years and won seven Tony awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score.

Performing for eomsjs are Steven Lilly (Lion), Eve Lethbridge (Evilene) and Richard Spencer (The Wiz), all of whom are Daily Echo Curtain Call award-winning actors. The talented Emma Bailey takes the lead role of Dorothy.

Appearing in her first major role, as the good witch, Addaperle, is a star of the future - 10-year-old Tabitha Lay-Smith, a pupil at Hiltingbury Junior School in Chandler's Ford, The Wiz is at the Plaza Theatre, in Romsey, at 7.30pm, Wednesday-Saturday, July 18-21. Tickets from £7 are available on 01794 512987.