Oliver

OLIVER

EVESHAM OPERATIC & DRAMATIC SOCIETY

EVESHAM ARTS CENTRE

DIRECTOR  & PRODUCER ALISON ROBERTS / AMANDA GOLDING

MUSICAL DIRECTION JAC SMITH

17TH SEPTEMBER 2015

A musical that suits all tastes, this is a well-established firm favourite with family audiences and with a wide appeal that has not diminished since the first stage production in 1960 and the amazing screen adaptation eight years later. Little wonder it is a popular choice for the Amateur Stage.

A cracking start!( more of which later) A well-balanced orchestra reminded us of the magnificent Lionel Bart Score with an abundance of highly memorable numbers which superbly captures the dark moods of Victorian Britain based on the world of the original Charles Dickens novel ‘Oliver Twist’

The opening scene in the workhouse with the poor open mouthed orphans singing ‘Food Glorious Food’, having sight and smell of delicious food destined to produce a sumptuous meal waft in front of them before being given their meagre portion of gruel, through to the final curtain, the youngsters gave credible performances. All on stage conveyed very well indeed the pace and mood changes throughout from comedy, the sinister, brutal aspects, murder and finally a happy ending which saw Oliver being welcomed back to his Grandfather’s house.

Carefully selected from 48 or so would be “orphans” who auditioned, two groups of highly talented eager and enthusiastic young people made it through for an opportunity to appear on stage and deserve praise for their respective achievements. In this performance Oliver (Joshua Skidmore) with a slightly angelic quality gave an excellent performance both vocally and artistically with the right level of worldly naivety as one of Fagin’s “thieves”. Dodger (Ronan Dooey) in his swish velvet coat demonstrated real stage presence in the role giving an accomplished performance including the high stepping “Consider Yourself”.  Fagin (Steve Roberts) was every bit the miserly character singing and dancing his way through the show in a charming and convincing manner in the late and great Ron Moody style. ‘You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two’ and ‘I’m Reviewing the Situation was very good indeed.

Mr Bumble (Greg Shepherd Pearson) and Widow Corney (Polly- Emily Taylor) delivered a most memorable duet “I Shall Scream” exuberantly with great personality and clear facial expressions. Mr Sowerberry (Adam Spiers) and Mrs Sowerberry (Nuala Wooltorton) brought a suitable macabre atmosphere to the funeral parlour in “That’s your Funeral” in contrast to Oliver left to sleep on the floor next to a coffin isolated and alone in white flood light singing the beautiful rendition of “Where is Love”

Nancy (Gemma Bailey) was a delight to watch and listen to, delivering a hugely appealing performance in feisty form leading the chorus in ‘The Three Cripples’ with a rousing ‘Oom Pah Pah’ portraying the mixture of a hard hearted girl, brought up in the criminal world, and the softer side the role demands in not wishing Oliver to be dragged down to this level. Gemma convinced us that she was a hard woman with a tender heart and ‘As Long As He Needs Me’ was sung with real emotion. Bill Sykes (Marcus Gilks) was the complete male chauvinist and brute in his interpretation of the part. The absence of “Bullseye” certainly was not detrimental to making his character believable and powerful as is the number ‘My Name’

There were many good supporting characters throughout including Mr Brownlow( John Millichap), Mrs Bedwin ( Sue Emond) , Noah Claypole ( Peter Sadler), Charlotte Sowerberry (Katie Richards) Bet (Chloe French) and Doctor Grimwig ( John Dix).  ‘Who Will Buy’ was particularly well sung and performed by the street sellers – Ellie Walker, Ruth Organ, Rebecca Barclay and Dan Callaghan all of whom have fine voices. – in one of a number of creative scenes where characters emerged from the auditorium,

Wearing colourful authentic costumes of the period interaction by the full ensemble in discipline, song, dance and characterisation was excellent and that “cracking start” was sustained with full advantage being taken of a new state of the art lighting system. This enabled the directors and production team to use technology to maximum effect. Scene changes were completed swiftly without the need for any heavy cumbersome set, whilst maintaining the key set design features this musical demands. Some inspired thinking here which paid off.

Thank you Evesham for a thoroughly entertaining evening and yes we will ‘Be Back Soon’

Ian G Cox

Regional Representative - Worcestershire East (District 12)

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