IT’S a case of a trip down memory lane, and a yellow-bricked one at that, for Colchester director Dani Fincham.

The long-standing director of the Colchester Operatic Society, and its junior edition CO2, is busy at the best of times, but this year will be one of her busiest as she takes the directorial reins for both troupes’ upcoming shows.

The first is CO2’s the Wiz, a show Dani was in herself at the start of her association with the theatrical group more than 20 years ago.

In fact, she was there right at the start of CO2 when it put on its first show in 1984.

She said: “I started off dancing like most young girls do, and then when I was 18, I joined CO2 when it was set up, but as a performer.

“I was in the Wiz myself back in 1985, when it was staged by CO2 at the university. I was the wicked witch.”

While Dani loves the show, don’t make the mistake I did and ask her about the film.

“The film is appalling,” she added. “That’s the tragic thing about the Wiz. Everyone knows it from the film with Michael Jackson and Diana Ross, but actually the show is ten times better.”

For those who haven’t see either versions, the Wiz, put simply, is a musical by Charlie Smalls retelling Frank Baum’s classic story, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, in the context of African American culture.

The same characters are there – Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman and the Lion, as well as the Wizard of Oz, who in the show is called the Wiz.

The original 1975 Broadway production won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, but Dani said the reason the society’s committee chose the musical was because of the wealth of parts it offers the ever-changing group.

For CO2’s production, the lead roles have gone to Jenna Saiz as Dorothy, Joseph Brazier as Scarecrow, Matt Jewson as Tinman, Jamie Fillery as Lion, and Ben Powell as the Wiz.

Dani said: “We had perhaps three or four candidates for Dorothy.

“But I liked Jenna’s confidence, and she has a great singing voice which you need for this part.

“She’s been with CO2 for years, but I think this is her first lead role.

“We’re also very lucky to have such a wealth of guys at the moment.

“That’s the thing with all youth groups, you go through phases of having great people and then losing them to things like university.

“It’s just that for the past four years, we have consistently had good young people coming through.”

When you find out exactly how much Dani has to do, you realise she needs all the help she can get.

“I know it’s a bit mad, but it keeps me out of trouble,” she confessed.

“I directed both groups last year and I’m doing it again this year with the Wiz and then Calamity Jane, in January, with the senior group.

“There’s a crossover of about six weeks, but at the moment, it’s a bit full on with three nights during the week and all day on Sundays.”

Dani, who lives in Bourne Road, Colchester, has been directing for the past 14 years and doesn’t stick with just the Colchester societies, helping out other troupes all over the area.

Theatre is so much a part of her life, even her day job involves working in a call centre selling tickets for the West End.

Dani said: “What can I say, I love the theatre and I love directing.

“I especially enjoy the young groups who are always so enthusiastic and work so well together as a team. It’s like one big happy family and we have a lot of fun.”