Oliver!

“Consider Yourself – at Home”  and ADAMS certainly did with this production!  From the opening, a fine band of urchins performed well and uniformly throughout. Perhaps they might have benefitted from a little bit of mic’ing, especially since the orchestra was mic’ed. Nevertheless, a very acceptable performance from the group, with a well-sung and well-choreographed opening number. 

On to the principals – Mr Bumble (Martin Butler) and Widow Corney (Audrey Dishington) introduced an early injection of humour into the show, before being brought down to earth with Martin’s excellent “Boy for Sale”. Thereafter, joining with Mr & Mrs Sowerberry (George Findlay & Shona Gardner)  for an amusing “That’s Your Funeral”.

Fagin (Alan Tricker), Oliver (Lewis Walker) and Dodger (Ian McKie) all worked well together. Alan portrayed a particularly charismatic Fagin, while all three, both collectively and individually, gave extremely creditable performances of many of the best known songs in this musical. Last, but certainly not least, probably my favourite characters in this production – Bill Sykes (Mitchell-Scott Bell), a formidable presentation of this rogue, and Nancy (Stephanie Baillie) who gave us a rousing rendition of Oom-Pah-Pah at the top of Act ll and followed with a heart-rending “As Long as he Needs Me". Mitchell and Stephanie worked so well together (if that is the correct description of their roles!), they were a pleasure to watch throughout.

Mention must also be made of Bet (Maisie Dury), who, despite still being at school has an extensive list of performance credits to her name already, and another very worthwhile one has been added tonight! Congratulations to the many minor principals in the show, who, as always, added in no small way to a successful production. The ladies and gentlemen of the chorus also made a first class  sound under the care of Musical Director Lynn Smith. 

One thing I feel I should mention, and it is no fault of the Company -  the endings to both acts are very weak, especially noticeable after bright and dramatic precursors. However, quite rightly, the Company performed the show as per the book, and, overall gave us a fine evenings’ entertainment.

Well done ADAMS and many thanks for the invite.

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