Oliver!

This was the first show performed by Dynamik Theatre since they joined NODA. It was a pleasure to be invited and join an appreciative audience for this well loved and ever popular musical. This was a newer more modern version of the score and libretto to the one many have become accustomed to.

The opening number was delivered by an enthusiastic group of workhouse children who were well rehearsed with good choreography.  James Whatmore as Oliver and Billy Stait as the Artful Dodger both gave superb performances. James was suitably angelic in voice with clear diction especially during both, ‘Where is Love’ and ‘Who Will Buy’.  Billy was full of personality as the cheeky loveable rogue.  Neither of them faltered throughout their performances.

Tim Watson as Fagin played the part with confidence and commanded the stage although not played as Jewish as many of his predecessors. Musical numbers including, ‘Be Back Soon’ and, ‘Reviewing the Situation’ were well delivered although the playing out to the audience was a bit more pantomime like.    

Humour in Oliver! comes from Mr Bumble and his encounters with Mrs. Corney later becoming Mrs. Bumble. Played by Jason Trombley and Deborah Williams they gave a rather saucy rendition of ‘I Shall Scream’.  Wayne Wright and Steph Westwood as Mr and Mrs Sowerberry gave a creditable performance including ‘That’s Your Funeral’ alongside Delaney Blake- Pearson and Yesmeen Shaaban as Noah Claypole and Charlotte in the funeral parlour.

It was Lauren Craner as Nancy who gave the performance of the evening. Lauren had a powerful singing voice and changed character well from the raucous rendition ‘Oom-Pah-Pah’ to the tender ‘As Long as he Needs Me’. She was ably supported by Rosie Harper as Bet.

The villain Bill Sikes played by Paul Stait was suitably nasty as opposed to Ed Parrott as Mr. Brownlow, Rhiannon Daye as Mrs. Bedwin and David Smith as Dr. Grimwig who all played their parts well.

The set was most ingenious and worked well. There was a raised platform with stairs each side. This always works well as it enabled the traditional staging for the opening as well as London Bridge and some height for scenes such as Brownlow’s house. The stage at the venue is not particular large most of the staging worked well although I was unsure why some characters appeared on the upper section at times. Other scenes Bumbles drawing room, funeral parlour and Fagin’s hideout were effective. However, what came to the forefront was the use of Dynamik Theatre’s logo within the set which looked particularly memorable.

Lighting was well considered throughout. The sound worked well for those with radio mics but, as is sometimes the case, failures happened which is out of the actor’s control.

There were some good costumes such as children within the workhouse and Fagin’s gang as well as Mr Bumble. I was not however quite as sure regarding some of the women’s costumes which looked somewhat medieval and just a little too pristine.  The orchestra consisting of fourteen musicians under the leadership of musical director and artistic director/ executive producer Jamie Poxon sounded good and worked well together. With a large orchestra it was not surprising there were a couple of occasions when they slightly overpowered the actors, but this did not detract to any extent.

This was an enjoyable evening and one of which the cast and production team should be well proud of. It was a pleasure to be able to welcome Dynamic Theatre into NODA and look forward to, and wish every success to the group into the future.

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