Oliver!

What a superb show! It’s hard to know where to start with this report. It was such a fabulous night’s entertainment. In the hands of a new directing trio this year this wonderful vision of Oliver! came to star studded fruition. The set design was so clever and superbly built and painted to clearly represent each scene, with crew showing skill in their flawless changes. From the workhouse, streets of London, Fagin’s lair, and numerous other interwoven entries and exits dressing the scenes, it all assisted in the evident fluidity of the show. The orchestra was excellent, the lighting atmospheric and the choreography superb. The costume plot was supplied entirely by the Company’s own wardrobe, ‘Upper Circle’, who have a massive collection of costumes and who also hire out. Top marks!  The show opening was very atmospheric, with the slow promenade of Oliver’s mother arriving at the workhouse before the iconic vision  of the children in the workhouse. A strong group of children looking for ‘Food, Glorious Food’, got the drama well and truly off to a good start. The Mr Bumble (Alan Thomson) and  Widow Corney (Pooee Pitman) duo were an inspired pairing. Superb interaction and hilarious facial expressions made them the first comic pair to captivate the audience with a perfectly interpreted, ‘I Shall Scream’. Through another slick scene change, the Bumble promenade in ‘Boy For Sale’ arrived perfectly at the Sowerberry residence. Another fabulous pairing, Mr Sowerberry (Ian Fairnington) and Mrs Sowerberry (Tamsin Reinsch), delivered one of my morbidly favourite numbers with aplomb, ’That’s My Funeral’. It was an absolute treat to hear such a beautiful pure young voice delivering a very touching ‘Where is Love?’ The interpretation and phrasing were excellent.  Oliver (Alfred Gracie), on the evening that I was there,  played a superb role, full of character and spirit. On the alternate night I was led to believe that Henry Aitchison was equally as good. Oliver’s dramatic escape from the clutches of the Sowerberrys, featured  two very capable young actors, Noah (Will Robbins) and Charlotte (Tegan Taylor) who appeared very comfortable in their roles. Our introduction to The Artful Dodger (Lara Reader) involved an energetic group of youngsters and chorus support for a fabulous ‘Consider Yourself’. A natural  performer with cockney accent and dance ability saw the role of Dodger totally inhabited by this youngster. The alternate evening was equally well played by  Findlay Kohler. As the scene morphed into Fagin’s lair the introduction to the crooked old thief, Fagin ( Rich Millan), produced one of the most engaging numbers, as the boys had total fun on stage. The superbly choreographed pickpocketing game won huge credit during the number ‘Pick A Pocket or Two’. Our introduction to Nancy (Dawn Hunter) and Bet (Aimee Ferguson) won the audience’s hearts in two of the most popular numbers ‘Fine Life’ and I’d Do Anything’, including the boys in Fagin’s Lair. Act 1 closes to an uplifting ‘Be Back Soon’ as Fagin waves his protégés away on their next public picking. Act 2 opened to a fantastic, animated rendition of ‘Oom Pah Pah’, starring Nancy and the chorus of The Three Cripples. Bill Sykes (Steven Luke) made his mark as he terrorised the on- stage company in his excellent, scary delivery of ‘My Name’. His overall portrayal of the murderous bully was without doubt perfectly executed. The iconic number ‘As Long As He Needs Me’ saw the leading lady portray the vulnerable part of her character, earning huge applause. If I had to make one tiny criticism it would only be that I have never seen Nancy played with such bright, white tipped, beautiful french manicured nails! The ‘Who Will Buy’ sequence was gorgeous. The street traders were superb in their  response to Oliver’s solo as he observed through his upstairs window. They celebrated their wonderful feelings in the song and the scene expanded into a beautiful array of characters in the street. In a pre cursor to the final scenes I have to give huge recognition to Fagin for his absolutely outstanding highlight while  ‘Reviewing the Situation’. A superbly animated and atmospheric rendition , with the most perfect diction I’ve ever encountered from Fagin.  The solo violinist added to this wonderful highlight. Huge congratulations on this excellent production.

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