Oliver!

The story centres on orphan ‘Oliver Twist’, born in a workhouse and sold into apprenticeship with an undertaker. After escaping, Twist travels to London, where he meets "The Artful Dodger", a member of a gang of juvenile pickpockets led by the elderly criminal, ‘Fagin’. Accused of stealing his wallet, ‘Mr. Brownlow’, takes pity on Oliver and offers him a home, Fagin's henchman ‘Bill Sykes’ plots to kidnap the boy to keep him from talking.

After briefly meeting the baby Oliver, (a real baby as young as I have ever seen on stage) the main action opens in the Workhouse where Oliver now 9 year’s old, together with his orphan friends are being served their dinner of gruel. Good to see actual ‘foodstuff’ being ladled out and eaten, whilst giving us a rousing opening number of ‘Food Glorious Food’.

Having notoriously asked for more, ‘Mr Bumble’ and ‘Widow Corney’ who run the workhouse, take Oliver and sell him as an apprentice to a local undertaker. Mr Bumble is played with great confidence and a strong and clear voice by Sophie Mason and the scenes with Widow Corney played with great character by Callie Geary are endearing. The Undertaker and his family (Mr & Mrs Sowberry and daughter Charlotte, together with their employee Noah Claypole – Alice Lippitt, Ellen Fearnley, Bethany Standen, Louis Ayers respectively, all portray the right level of meanness towards Oliver. Told to sleep under the counter, Oliver played by Amelie Reeves, brings an innocent sweetness to the role particularly whilst singing ‘Where is Love’.

After being teased about his dead mother, Oliver escapes to London and meets up with ‘The Artful Dodger’ a rather dashing young pickpocket  (Oliver Moss)who welcomes Oliver singing  ‘Consider Yourself’ with confidence. Dodger introduces Oliver to ‘Fagin’ played by Archie Marks who with only 9 day’s notice gave us an admirable performance, fitting well into all the action with ease that must have represented a large joint effort by the cast and production team.

Along the way, Oliver meets ‘Nancy (Jessica Lewis) and ‘Bet’ (Phoebe Hall). Jessica had a strong presence and voice to match and well supported by Phoebe and Fagin’s gang gave an entertaining version with Oliver of ‘I’d Do Anything’. After a quick lesson (‘Be Back Soon’) Oliver, Dodger and Charlie Bates (Owen Snailham) hit the streets but Oliver is caught attempting to pickpocket a rich gentlemen ‘Mr Brownlow’ played with suitable dignity by Ryan Simcock, who takes pity on Oliver and offers him a home.

Act 2 opens with another rousing chorus of ‘Oom Pah Pah’, led by Nancy. Nancy’s husband, ‘Bill Sykes’ enters and is strongly played by Daniel Chorley, striking fear into the crowd singing ‘My Name’.  On hearing that Oliver has been taken in by Mr Brownlow, Bill and Nancy argue and despite being physically abused by Bill, Nancy sings ‘As Long As He Needs Me’ with great strength. Also considering his future, Fagin’s ‘Reviewing The Situation’ was expressive and taken at an impressive pace. Other good support was provided by Darcey Norcott (‘Mrs Bedwin’), Georgia Andrews (‘Dr Grimwig’) and all the Workhouse Children and Fagin’s gang.

This musical provides great opportunities for chorus work and I enjoyed ‘Who Will Buy’ together with an effective touch of Oliver observing the action through a simple window frame. The set lighting and costumes all added to the atmosphere. Overall the sound was good and well balanced and musically the orchestra were well under control although I would have preferred it if the volume was taken down slightly during some dialogue.

Lollipop Youth Theatre continues to grow and the team led by Holly Fields should be congratulated on the obvious hard work involved bringing this musical to the stage.

 

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