PERFORMERS young and older are to dance their way through one of the greatest films in American history in Trowbridge later this month.

Melksham School of Ballet, Tap & Modern is staging its own performance of the 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer musical fantasy film, ‘The Wizard of Oz’, at the Arc Theatre next to Wiltshire College.

Final rehearsals are taking place for the performances, which take place at 7.15pm from Thursday, October 26 to Saturday, October 28 with a Saturday matinee starting at 2.15pm.

The well-known story sees Dorothy and her dog, Toto, whisked away by a tornado to the magical land of Oz. Trying to find a way to get back home they follow the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City to meet the Wizard of Oz.

Along the way they meet a Scarecrow that needs a brain, a Tin Man missing a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who wants courage, and many others, including the Munchkins and the Wicked Witch of the West, in this enchanting tale.

The story is told through dance, with the youngest performers aged just four and the eldest being 67!

The show has been produced and choreographed by mother and daughter team Anne Barrett and Jayne Green who run the dance school. It was set up over 26 years ago and continues to grow.

Jayne is delighted with the progress the children are making, saying: “It’s such a lot of work to put it all together. The children come along to extra rehearsals every week but all the effort is worthwhile and hopefully everyone will enjoy our show!”

This year, the raffles, which take place in all four performances, will raise funds for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Tickets are available from the Arc Theatre Box Office at £10 / £7 child. All are welcome to this family friendly event.

Performances are always well attended so book your tickets now to avoid disappointment. Contact the Arc Theatre box office at http://www.arctheatre.org.uk/events.asp or call 01225 756376.

Melksham School of Ballet, Tap & Modern classes are held at Church Lane, Melksham. To join, please call Anne or Jayne on 01225 705596.