TALENTED performers from Queen Katherine School will be singing and dancing their way down the Yellow Brick Road as the Kendal school stages its annual show.

This year, QKS put on the classic musical The Wizard of Oz with director and producer Caroline Barber bringing together 150 students for the production whether on stage, in the band or lending a helping hand behind the scenes.

Running at the Brewery Arts Centre from Tuesday-Friday, June 20-23, the timeless tale tells of Dorothy, a young girl who lives in Kansas with her Auntie Em and Uncle Henry but dreams of 'somewhere over the rainbow.'

One day a tornado picks up Dorothy's house and carries it all the way to the land of Oz. To the delight of the Munchkins, Dorothy's house flattens the Wicked Witch of the East. As thanks for freeing the Munchkins from the Wicked Witch, Glinda, the good witch of the north, gives Dorothy the witch's prized red slippers, enraging the Wicked Witch of the West, the sister of the Wicked Witch of the East.

Dorothy is keen to get back home so Glinda advises her to seek out the Wizard of Oz, who, she points out, has the power to send her home.

On the way to the Emerald City, Dorothy does her upmost to avoid the clutches of the Wicked Witch and some deadly Poppies but makes three friends along the way: a scarecrow, a tinman, and a cowardly lion.

The QKS production team also includes musical director, Robert Shillitoe, leading the student band on the night, and Emma Kinlock, who choreographed the big dance numbers just before going on maternity leave.

A magical and mammoth undertaking, the colourful show has numerous special effects and a few other surprises and will have audiences singing along to much-loved numbers such as We're off to see the Wizard, The Merry Old Land of Oz and the anthemic Somewhere over the Rainbow.

The main characters are played by year 10 drama students - Emma Dodd as Dorothy, Jonah Aldridge who plays Scarecrow, and in the guise of Tinman and Lion, Max Guer-Lees and Phineas Worsley; experienced year 12 students Ruth Brown and Katie Richardson take on the roles of Glinda and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Caroline Barber says its a fantastic show to work on: "There is a real feelgood atmosphere and I think audiences will leave the show with smiles on their faces humming the tunes. The students have, as always been a delight to work with, and we are all looking forward to the show."

Performances start at 7pm.

Tickets are available from the Brewery box office on 01539-725133.