“OLIVER”

I  have always loved Charles Dickens novels and this with David Copperfield are my favourites., so I was looking forward to seeing this production and I was not disappointed. There were two children playing Oliver during the week and we saw Sam Garratt who was really excellent, and we know from friends that the little girl who played him on alternate days Daisy Steward was equally as good!

Sam pulled our heart strings from the start and his solo “Where is Love” was brilliant. Right from the start the opening number in the Workhouse was a delight, the children were very well drilled and made good use of the excellent set. Popular Nevillle Woolnough was exactly right as the  overbearing Mr.Bumble, well supported by  Kathryn Bryant as his intended Widow Corney. Their duet “I shall scream” was excellent and I know this is fun to do as I have played her myself!

  The Undertakers Mr and Mrs. Sowerberry played their roles suitably sinister in their duet “It’s Your Funeral”. I always feel sorry for Oliver in this scene when he is pushed into the coffin! Noah Claypole and Charlotte  (Oliver Lamb and  Ellen Goldsmith) played well and will no doubt be in line for some  lead parts in the future. Of course the leading lady must be a strong character and Kerry-Ann Lees as Nancy was brilliant, and put some gusto into her numbers. What can I say about Julian Illman, favourite leading man in Company of Four productions, South  Pacific and Camelot!  Yes he was Fagin, and what an excellent job he made of it!  Surprisingly the Artful Dodger was played by a girl, and she was excellent and we would never have twigged !

The villain of the piece is of course Bill Sykes and Carl Clark fitted the bill well – and what a well behaved dog was Bullseye! We were most impressed with the whole production, a superb set, an excellent cast and congratulation to Michael Crane for this most enjoyable evening.

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