Pet pooch chosen to play Toto at the Wycombe Swan (From Bucks Free Press)

Pet pooch chosen to play Toto at the Wycombe Swan

7:30am Friday 27th November 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

TOTO lookalikes headed for the Wycombe Swan on Sunday to audition for a part in the Wizard of Oz.

The Youth Theatre held their very own Pup Idol to try and find the perfect pooch to play Toto in their production next February.

Eight dogs turned up for the audition and there was some tough competition as they were all very well behaved and suitable for the role.

Emily Epps, who will play Dorothy, was at the audition to see how the potential stars take to the stage.

Joy Griffith, Youth Theatre producer and head judge said: “It was a fantastic day. It it something a little out of the ordinary.

“Really it is important that whatever dog we have it isn't one dropped on us. We want to see if the dogs are good with children. It is an unpaid role so we are relying on the generosity of people."

The original dog in the film was a Cairn terrier so the show was looking for a small terrier-type dog preferably with shaggy fur and good with children.

An Australian Cairn terrier called Harry was chosen as he was very calm on the day and the only dog to stay in the basket long enough to be picked up.

His owner, Layton Warhurst, is playing Scarecrow in the production.

A second dog was chosen called Merlin who is an Ihasa apso and will step in if Harry does not fit into the role. His owner is called Heather Rae, from Aylesbury.