Oliver!

Thank you for your kind invitation to report on your production of “Oliver!” which I thoroughly enjoyed. This was very well acted and sung, with many fine performances as detailed below.  As the second overall performance, it was the first performance for this junior team, but rather than being intimidated by the audience, they seemed to be energised by performing on stage.  

The staging was excellent, with a very well-designed set including a set of steps each side leading to a balcony, and an exit up centre stage. These were used to very good effect. The scene changes were very well planned and executed, with little pause on the action – one advantage of using a professional theatre where scenery can fly in and out.  The stage dressing was excellent, with enough to suggest a scene, but not so much as to cramp the acting space.  The opening scene using 2 wooden tables and four wooden benches served to set the scene very well.

Lighting was very good, with cues well timed, although there was a suggestion of some shadow down centre stage occasionally.  The sound was very well managed, although occasionally some characters could slow their delivery down a little for the ease of the audience. The orchestral accompaniment was excellent, beautifully played with feeling and care. Costumes were stunning and were well used to suggest character.  Make up was very good, and props were well managed and suitable. However, as ever it was the actors who truly created the story for us the audience.

Main characters:

Oliver:  well portrayed as a defiant character who stood up to bullies, particularly Bumble and Noah Claypole.  A well-acted, confident performance, but be careful with the singing.  Good chorus work and movement – the chase scenes were very well done.

Mr. Bumble:  good stage presence, but perhaps a rather understated performance without enough nastiness to make him a true bully.  Amusing scenes with Widow Corney when proposing and later when unhappily married to her.

Widow Corney:  portrayed as a heartless gold-digger, after Bumble for his money and position.  Good scenes when flirting with Mr Bumble and later when taking the locket from Old Sally and trying in vain to get money from Mr Brownlow.

Noah Claypole, Mrs Sowerby and Charlotte:  these were all well depicted as uncaring characters, intent on making Oliver’s life as miserable as possible.   Noah especially was particularly unpleasant, taunting Oliver about his dead mother.

Mr. Sowerby:  a very entertaining performance, particularly when tipsy.  His rather camp delivery and exaggerated walk brought unexpected humour to the part.

Artful Dodger:  portrayed as confident, proud of his position as Fagin’s favourite and very streetwise.  A good, strong performance with excellent singing and dancing.

Fagin:  portrayed as a complex personality, who provided food and safe shelter for his army of street children while relying on their thieving for his own livelihood.  He showed a wide range of emotions including fear, greed and avariciousness.  An outstanding performance, with energetic singing and dancing and excellent comic timing.

Bill Sykes:  excellently portrayed as violent and intimidating, especially by his silence early on.  His body language and expression made him a menacing presence and a very believable evil character.  His dog, ‘Bullseye’ was very good!

Nancy:  a very good interpretation of Nancy’s rather complicated character, showing her compassion for Oliver and her loyalty to Fagin and to the abusive Bill Sikes.  The part was very well sung, particularly the song “As long as he needs me.”   A very good and highly dramatic performance.

Mr Brownlow:  well portrayed as a trustworthy and upright gentleman of status and influence, with complete faith in Oliver.  Meanwhile Dr Grimwig was amusingly portrayed as downbeat and cynical, a good foil to the optimistic Mr. Brownlow.

In all, this was a most enjoyable staging of this well-known story. The wonderful set and costumes were set off beautifully by the energy and performances of the cast, all of whom played their parts in creating the Victorian London atmosphere.  All the singing was good and characterful throughout, while the teamwork that had been built up during rehearsals was obvious and valuable.  For a first performance with this junior cast, it was excellent!  Congratulations!

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