EVERY journey has a first step.

In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy takes hers and this leads her on a voyage of discovery all along the yellow brick road to the Land of Oz and then back to Kansas.

Hannah Morrison who plays Dorothy in this Christmas musical extravaganza has taken her first steps away from Douglas on the Isle of Man to the bright lights and the smell of greasepaint on the stage.

The 21-year-old who had wanted to be a doctor or a medic when she was growing up is now helping people in a different way by entertaining them in plays or musicals.

Hannah picked up the ‘acting bug;’ when she was eight-years-old and appeared in her first show Scrooge-The Musical version of A Christmas Carol.

She didn’t have a lead role but was part of the ensemble and from that moment on she knew acting was going to be the life for her.

After school he headed off to the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre where she gained a BA (Hons) Acting Course.

Being at the academy was a time Hannah enjoyed and loved the three years she spent learning the skills she would need to develop as an actress.

Her first role out after she graduate was in a film for Amazon Prime called Lore. A small role, a small part but part of her journey.

This journey has brought her to Taunton and winning the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.

Speaking about her love of acting, Hannah said: “When I learn a script, I read it and read it to get the part but cannot sit around learning the lines.

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“I prefer rehearsals when I can move and meet the other actors and characters.

“Acting is something I love, I just love it. I can never see myself doing anything else.

“I have no Plan B. I just love it and the when I am on stage it is a form of escapism for me as much as it is for the audience.

“There is a harmony as you as an actor are pretending and the audience suspends disbelief and everyone enjoys themselves.

“There are lots of time when I have come off stage and I cannot remember anything as I have been in ‘the moment’ when I have been on stage.”

As an actress Hannah said she is still learning as she is not long out of drama school.

Looking ahead she wants to make a living out of acting, be able to perform in the theatre which is her first love but still be doing what she loves-acting.

Also appearing in the Wizard of Oz is Tom Babbage as the Scarecrow.

Tom started out on his acting journey at a very early age when he used to put on sock shows from behind the sofa for his parents.

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The sock puppets were named Marvin after Marvin the android in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Emily who was named after his sister.

From such humble beginnings, Tom took his first steps on the road which saw him take part in youth theatre, drama at school before graduating from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2016.

He said he felt very lucky growing up as his parents were very supportive which what he was doing when acting and always came to watch his show.

He said becoming and actor was something which he was encouraged to do by his drama teachers who felt he had a talent for it and explained what he should do to make his dream come true.

As luck would have it, Tom’s first professional role was Passepartout in Around the World in Eight Days staged at The Brewhouse.

For him, The Brewhouse holds a special place in his heart as it was where he made his acting debut.

Speaking about acting and what emotions it give him, Tom said: “Being on stage is an opportunity to be someone else.

“The buzz is something else.

“I think the adrenaline before going on stage never stops.

“It is always there no matter if it is the opening night or the last night.

“It is like I am going out into the unknown, like I am tittering on the edge and throwing myself in.

“Nerves are always there but this is not so much being nervous, it is apprehension as I am about to test myself again.

“You never try and do the same show twice you always try and find that moment which you can react to and that is the test.”

The test for Tom now is to be the Scarecrow and highlight to them the adventure he goes on.

He said: “I hope the people who come along to the show can escape, leave everything behind them and be immersed in this world.

“This is a coming of age story. They all go on a journey each looking for something to be told by the Wizard they have had it all along.”

Tickets for The Wizard of Oz cost:

Off-Peak: Adult £19, Child £16, Family £65 (4 pax incl at least 1 child) Additional tickets to accompany a family ticket can be purchased at the child rate £16.

Groups of 10+ £16 per ticket NB: Off-peak performances: 7, 19 & 20 Dec at 7pm // 28 Dec at 2pm // 7 Dec is a preview performance.

Peak: Adult £21, Child £18, Family £75 (4 pax incl at least 1 child) Additional tickets to accompany a family ticket can be purchased at the child rate £18. Groups of 10+ £18 per ticket.

See it from December 7-30 at The Brewhouse in Taunton.

Buy tickets online at thebrewhouse.net or call 01823 283244.

WATCH VIDEO OF CAST WELCOMING YOU TO THE SHOW: https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/17280433.video-buy-your-ticket-and-get-on-the-yellow-brick-road-with-the-cast-of-the-wizard-of-oz-at-the-brewhouse-theatre-in-taunton/