Oliver

I can’t believe it’s a year since I last visited this talented group for their production of High School Musical and here we are again for their 2019 production of “Oliver”. I have often wondered if Lionel Bart ever imagined when he wrote the lyrics and music to the 1960 musical how successful this masterpiece was going to be and I must admit it’s one of my favorite musicals. Louise Defty the groups producer and director is so encouraging and enthusiastic, she always brims with pride when we talk about the members of the group and its so good to see someone with that much passion about musical and youth theatre, Louise has an eye for detail and the production of Oliver was exceptionally directed and it was evident that the group had gone from strength to strength over the past twelve months. Tim Jasper as Musical Director ensured that the group were vocally ready for the performance and his chosen band delivered a musical score that both complimented the vocals and sounded easy on the ear. Well done to Holly Welsh, choreographer who delivered some beautiful routines and movement. No show is complete without those people who the audience don’t often see but without them the production would not be a success, congratulations to the technical and stage team including Bob Harbisher as technical director, Liam Etherington as stage manager, Jayne Etherington as DSM and also the backstage crew who ensured that each scene moved effortlessly, Craig Stobbs on sound and Barry Johnson and Sarah Maxfield on follow spots. Special mention to wardrobe provided by Margaret Thompson and Wellfield School the costumes looked fantastic and I must comment on the set and cloths they looked amazing very authentic thanks to Eric Hickson from Spennymoor Stage and Song whose talent is remarkable I can’t believe how professional his artistry is, well done to the makeup artists who ensured that the cast looked fantastic, Dorothy Paton as the  Prompt and the chaperones who made certain of the welfare of the cast and finally to the front of house team who work tirelessly to ensure that the audience is well looked after and made to feel part of the family.

Due to the huge success and popularity of Oliver and the fact that everyone knows the individual characters and music it brings that additional pressure on  both the Director and cast to bring something new and add their own individuality to the their characters and I am pleased to say that Spennymoor Youth Theatre Group certainly did this in abundance. Opening the production was the cast delivering the iconic number  “Food Glorious Food” and the introduction to the principal lead Oliver who was delightfully played by Alfie Stephenson, great interpretation and a confident performance by this young actor , I loved his rendition of the tear jerker musical number “Where Is Love”, beautifully delivered. Playing the wonderful characters Mr and Mrs Sowerberry was Jack Cole and Faith McDermott, I loved their interpretation of their characters both delivered confident stage presence and a well-balanced musical number “That Your Funeral” support by Mr Bumble who was boldly played by Zac Greenman again a solid performance with clear description of his character and good interaction with his fellow cast members, nice vocals in his solo number “Boy For Sale”, Widow Corney was equally played by Megs Defty who has a natural stage ability and her duet with Mr Bumble “I Shall Scream” was  a great comic moment and very entertaining. Playing the part of Jack Dawkins or better known as the Artful Dodger was Amy Gatland, lovely acting and stage presence and confident vocals I loved the interaction with Oliver and confident stage presence   Playing the villain of the show was Brandon Sherrington as Bill Sykes, a fantastic performance he got the character spot on and I loved his interpretation of his musical number “My Name”, playing his long standing girlfriend Nancy was Charlie Jackson  who delivered a well-polished performance good depiction of the character and strong vocals especially with her ballad “ As Long As He Need Me” and I loved her performance in the number “Um Pa Pa” and finally in the principal  line up was George Morgan-Watson as the iconic Fagin and what a stand out performance, not only did he take this character and made it his own his delivery was spot on loved the  mannerism’s and the interaction with both the cast and audience, vocally loved the scenes and musical numbers with his gang especially “Be Back Soon” and a stand out emotional performance of “Reviewing The Situation” excellent performance, I would also like to wish George all the best as this is his last show before moving to Somerset he will be greatly missed by everyone and I would like to wish him all the best for the future and hope he will be back soon.

Congratulations to those supporting characters, Hailie Warren as Old hag, Charlie Best as Charley Bates, Amy Lowes as Old Sally, Bethany Wanless as Mrs Bedwin, Gini Stephenson as Dr Grimwig, Tom Dunn as Mr Brownlow, Freya Graham as Bet, Natasha Witton as Charlotte, and Ben Clayton as Noah Claypole, well done and congratulations to you all, some lovely acting coming through and great portrayal of your characters. No performance is complete without the ensemble and dancing team, and what a performance by each and everyone involved, congratulations to Oliver Best, Charlie Barker, Scott Anderson, Sophie Priestley, Darcey Gallone, Millie Cowan, Louis Fordham, Naiomi Richie, Evie Stephenson and Jessica Markwell, Rachel Clayton, Faya Graham, Millie Newham, Charlotte Robinson, Ben Colledge, Lola Punshon, and Skye Monahan who played the orphans, Fagin’s gang and dancers perfectly. With a show packed with so many musical numbers its difficult to mention them all but my favorites were “Food Glorious Food”, “Consider Yourself” “and You’ve Got To Pick A Pocket Or Two” Special mention to Megs Defty as the Rose Seller, Chloe Armstrong as the strawberry seller, Millie Copeland as the Milkmaid, Megan Jones as the Knife Grinder and Alfie Stephenson as Oliver who delivered a beautiful and powerful performance to the musical number “Who Will Buy” beautifully delivered and very sentimental.

This was a fantastic performance delivered by a group of fantastic youths who certainly know how to put on a show, well done to everyone at Spennymoor Youth Theatre Group on another stand out performance.

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