Oliver!

I had the pleasure of seeing this lovely musical twice, so that I could experience both casts of youngsters, and enjoyed it as much the second time as the first.

Katy Jane Meehan in her first directorial role for HMTC managed the cast and the movement around the stage very effectively, I liked what she did with the show, and I particularly liked that fact that the scene changes were accomplished effortlessly with no breaks in the action, a testament to her direction and the stage crew, under the auspices of Janet Wade.  Nicely accomplished. 

The set worked very well, it was in some ways a static set, with elements moved or changed and props brought on and off as required.  I was impressed with both the simplicity and the technicality required to make it look simple!

Lighting was good throughout, designed and operated by Fred Rayment, I particularly liked the effects achieved in Fagin’s den, and when Bill killed Nancy.

Aidan Brown and Graham Elliott managed the sound very well too.  Sound balance with the pit was excellent.  Not an easy thing to achieve at the Halls!

Costumes on the whole were good, however there were a few cases where more attention to detail was needed.

Musically good, I thought the band, led by MD Les Arnold, sounded amazing, and there were some interesting timings in some of the numbers, which was refreshing.  I loved the entre act in Fagin’s den, it was essentially music played with great feeling, and with the dimming of the lights, then the dawning of another day, it created a beautiful moment.

I felt the choreography was a little basic, and perhaps in some places a little too modern for street urchins and town folk of the era.  Always difficult to pitch it just right, but mostly it was suitable for the varied ability on stage. 

Oliver – Matthew Fox on the first night, did a good job, and certainly looked the part, he sang with conviction.. The part was played by Jack Meredith on night 2, and his experience shone through, a very confident performance.

The Artful Dodger –Sam Pesez on the first night, got the swagger of Dodger, and sang well.  He projected very well throughout.  The part was played by Gideon Metcalf on night 2, a slightly calmer and more studied version, but nicely done.

Both children’s ensembles worked well together, they played off each other and got some nice facial expressions.  I was very impressed with the diction in Food Glorious Food, I heard every word on both nights, well done. 

I was very impressed with Ben Molloy as Mr Bumble, for a young man he attained a much older persona extremely well, whilst singing beautifully and characterising with great assurance.

Colette Eagles was a good Widow Corney, beguiling Mr Bumble and then turning on him. I Shall Scream was a very good duet between the two of them. A very good relationship which I enjoyed.

Carl Robinson as Fagin was a little less reliant on accent than others I’ve seen, but a very perspicacious portrayal, and good expression in both lib and music, I liked his interpretation of Reviewing the Situation, Carl gave it a bit more meaning than I’ve seen before.  Very nicely done.

Brian Carroll and Steph Gimblett created a good pairing as Mr and Mrs Sowerberry, a great relationship, her overbearing and him rather timid, looked and sounded true to life!

Charlotte (Emily Cartwright) and Noah (Isaac Cutler) were a good pairing, whilst Lilly Allan and Ed Dack performed well on the second night. 

Jack Stephens and Joe Crocker created nice little characters as Charley Bates.

Charlie Meade in her first principal role with HMTC was a lovely Nancy, she looked the part, and sang it very well on the whole.  I liked her characterisation.

Another first timer was Jeremy Brewer as Bill Sykes, he was very menacing and I enjoyed My Name.  A very good portrayal.

Natasha Russell was a charming Bet, whilst Megan Partington as Old Sally and Amanda Gaines as the Old Lady, both added much to the proceedings. 

I liked David Neal as Mr Brownlow, he spoke well, and had a nice timbre to his voice.

Annie Scott was a sympathetic Mrs Bedwyn, and Nick Partington a fiery Dr Grimwig.

I loved Who Will Buy, it was beautifully sung by Louise Thonger, Sophie Khawaja, Eleanor McConnell and John Hope, with Isaac Cutler and Ed Dack assisting.  A real heart-stopping part of the production.

I thought that overall it was a good production, plenty of pace, contrasts, well sung, extremely good diction, a show that I really enjoyed.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.