Oliver!

With lots of youngsters, two Olivers and two Dodgers on alternative performances with different teams, this was bound to be a lively show.  Lucas Cuthbert played a determined Oliver, with a clear, true voice, engaging admiration for his poignant ‘Where is Love’ and his plight with Sykes.  His rapport with The Artful Dodger and Nancy was patent, with their numbers well delivered.  Alexander Bland played a confident Dodger leading Oliver into a rousing and well choreographed ‘Consider Yourself’ and pairing with Nancy to ape the toffs in ‘It’s A Fine Life’.  I would think that Dylan Clark and Jake Speed would bring similar characteristics to these roles. The Workhouse Children and Fagin’s gang sang beautifully, in character, and moved effortlessly in their routines. A real stage presence was David Campbell as a Fagin who caught the mix of this complex character with the miserly demeanour, the charm of the trainer of thieves, dislike of violence, and an aim of protecting  No 1 - all evident in ‘Pick a Pocket’ and ‘Reviewing the Situation’.  His once trainee Nancy, ably played by Lisa Goldie brought a freshness to the role in her compassion for Oliver and in her courage in defying her lover. ‘As Long as He Needs Me’ resonated her feelings and mistaken convictions of her lover, Sykes. In this role Darren Tasker pinned, in action and nuance, the violent bully, terrifying the inn customers in ‘My Name’ and awful as he bludgeoned Nancy to death.  As well as these dark scenes, light relief came in the wooing scene of Mr Bumble and Mrs Corney. David McCabe and Jane Kerr sportively courted each other for their own ends and in Act 2 delightful was her manipulation of her husband, and plaintive and comic was Mr Bumble’s heartfelt cry that ‘the Law is an ass’.  Likewise the macabre Undertaker’s Scene saw Chris Taylor and Simon Thomas give life to the marital conflict between the strident Mrs Sowerberry and her long suffering husband.  All minor principals, Bet, Charlie, Charlotte, Noah, Mr Brownlow, Mrs Bedwin and Dr Grimwig contributed to the drama while the adult chorus sang raucously and harmoniously giving colour to the crowd scenes. Well sung and slickly managed, this was a thoroughly enjoyable production.

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