IS THIS TOTO: Lyndall Thomas wonders if Pip will be chosen to be her faithful companion Toto for the Wizard of Oz, when auditions for the small dog who is a star of the show are held at the weekend. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 02005toto
IF your dog has what it takes to be a star, the Orange Theatre Company wants to hear from you.
The company will host a unique audition session for the upcoming stage show The Wizard of Oz on Saturday, but it won’t be held on stage.
Auditions for Dorothy’s dog Toto will be held in the leash-free dog exercise area at Anzac Park, opposite Dudley Private Hospital, at 4pm.
Director Trevor Carroll would like all dog owners to turn up with their small dog on a lead.
“Obviously we will need to keep the auditions well ordered, so it would be great if owners could keep their dogs on leads until we start auditioning,” he said.
A key element in the audition process will be for the star of the show Dorothy (played by Lyndall Thomas) to form a special bond with the dog.
“I just love dogs so I am looking forward to the company choosing our Toto,” she said.
“We will be spending quite a bit of time together over the next few months.”
Mr Carroll said the casting of Toto would probably involve two dogs so they could alternate performances.
“But it will be something of a package deal because our new Toto will need to be brought to rehearsals by its owner, and to performances at the Orange Civic Theatre in the first half of May.”
Although there are many dogs in Orange who have a friendly and obedient disposition and are prepared to “follow the yellow brick road,” Mr Carroll said only small dog breeds would be suitable.
“After all, we have to remember Dorothy has to put him under her arm and pop him into a basket,” he said.
Owners are asked to bring their dogs along to the auditions from 3.30pm onwards to register.
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