Oliver!

It must be quite a few years since Cleckheaton & Spenborough A.O.S. last perfortmed "Oliver!" but it has lost none of its appeal to the audience's there.  This show is a firm favourite with Lionel Bart's superb music, lyrics and book, it loaded with so many well-known songs.

As we entered the Hall we had an open stage in front of us, it had a striking set built on two levels which worked perfectly for all the different scenes and helped the production to move along at a good pace.

Oliver, (William Cavanagh) portrayed the innocence of his character and sang sweetly.  Artful Dodger, (Lyndon Barclay) strutted about the stage showing off to Oliver how streetwise he was.  Nancy, (Ysanne Morrill) a superb actress, strong on vocals and vivtality, belted out Oom-Pah-Pah with true bawdiness.  Fagin (Gerard Marescaux) gave an exceptional performance interacting with the boys teaching them how to steal, (or pick pockets) squeezing out every little bit of humour from the role especially in "Reviewing the Situation". 

Several good cameo roles including Noah Claypole, Bet, and the Sowerberry's, Old Sally certainly enjoyed her role.  Mr Bumble and Widow Courney were well matched.

The chorus really brought the show to life with rousing lively numbers and good choreography.  The children did have dirty faces, but please remove the lipstick from the girls in the workhouse.

Good lighting enhanced the production, and oh I nearly forgot, lovely well behaved Bullseye, complete with his black eye, real name "Casodon Yorkshire Orchid" how posh! usually known by the name of Winne.

Well done Cleck & Spen.

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