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Oliver!

Author: Lyn Burgoyne for Patricia Barclay

Information

Date
21st December 2024
Society
Axminster Drama Club
Venue
Axminster Guildhall, Axminster
Type of Production
Musical
Director
Andrew Coley
Musical Director
Ellis Holt
Choreographer
Matilda Leat
Written By
Lionel Bart

Oliver!

Book, Music and Lyrics by Lionel Bart

Directed by Andrew Coley

Musical Director – Ellis Holt

Choreography by Matilda Leat

Performed by Axminster Drama Club On 21st December 2024

At Axminster Guildhall, Axminster

 

I had never had the pleasure of visiting Axminster Drama Club before and my husband and I received the warmest of welcomes from Jackie Demkiw and the front of house team.

A beloved musical to many is Oliver! and a very special one for me. This glorious tale of good overcoming evil and an orphan returned to the bosom of his family, with incredibly well- known songs throughout, is possibly my very favourite and I took my seat with anticipation.

The stage was open as the auditorium filled and showed the shrewdly designed set that filled the stage. The main stage had a raised painted terrace to the rear which was used to great effect throughout by the cast and especially Bill Sykes death scene, at London Bridge. This allowed plenty of space for stage props such as the orphanage tables and benches, the tavern scene and street scenes.  Front of the pros, on stage right, was Fagin’s lair with painted brick wall flat showing a log burner and painted plate rack. A painting of Queen Victoria proudly nailed to the wall, above Fagin’s chair, small table with a glass decanter placed upon it. Stage left, again front of pros, had handkerchiefs hanging, fruit crates and boxes placed. With two exits and entrances either side of the main stage, the cast were able to move stage props easily allowing the production to flow without any issues.  All of this was gently lit with blue lights side of stage and dimmed spots.

The curtains were closed as the overture was played. The company used recorded music for this production.  As a bell rings and the first eight beats of Food Glorious Food begins, the curtains open to the junior chorus entering on stage with added haze for effect, and begin to sing. There were fifteen children and the sound they made was impressive. All with animated faces, they performed this number beautifully with effective choreography using the benches and tables for depth and height.

 Mr Bumble, entered via the raised terrace, dressed in a plush royal blue, gold edged parish beadle uniform, with pantaloons, white tights and buckled shoes and with his beadle rod. Along with Widow Corney, in a red dress piped with black, black collar and a face of disapproval. Both these actors were excellent throughout. The workhouse parlour scene in which they flirt with each other and perform ‘I shall Scream’ was hilarious, both with engaging voices and Mr Bumble’s ‘Boy for Sale ‘ showed his lovely tenor voice. Also, in Act 2  ,when married, Bumble is forlorn for selling himself for ‘'for six teaspoons, a pair of sugar-tongs, and a milk-pot; with a small quantity of second-hand furniture, and twenty pound in money. I went very reasonable. Cheap, dirt cheap!" Brilliantly acted by these competent actors.

The undertaker’s flat is flown in and Oliver, dirty faced, shows his hopelessness as he sold off to the dreaded and cruel Sowerberry’s. Mr Sowerberry was nicely snide and played a great drunk working well alongside his shrew of a wife, Mrs Sowerberry who was perfectly loathsome with her irritating laugh. Noah, played by a young actor gave a very believable performance along with Charlotte Sowerberry , who flirts shamelessly and timed the throwing of water over her mother perfectly.

We were then treated to the beautiful voice of the young actor portraying Oliver, played by Spike Harvey  when I attended, singing ‘Where is Love’. This young man is one to watch as his ability to act alongside his peers and adults was mature and believable and his anger with Noah was palpable. The relationship with the Artful Dodger worked as both had good stage presence. Dodger was performed by a young female actor who could dance, sing and act. A triple threat. Dressed in brown ‘patched’ trousers, old boots, blue tailcoat and yellow waistcoat with the iconic top hat, ‘Consider Yourself’ showed her abilities and when joined by the adult ensemble and urchins this number was performed with gusto having been choreographed well. 

The orphans are now Fagin’s gang. Each with their own personality it would seem and all acting their socks off, on and off the script. They all performed with enthusiasm in ‘Pick a pocket’, ‘Be Back Soon’ with Fagin and ‘Fine Life’ with Nancy and Bet.  With a stunning voice and wonderful stage presence, the actor playing Nancy was impressive. I truly do not think I have heard ‘As Long As he needs Me’ sung any better and her acting throughout showed her quality.  The highly charged scenes between Nancy, Bill and Fagin when discussing Oliver and ‘It’s a Fine Life, Reprise’ felt threatening and real. Bet was lovely as Nancy’s nurtured friend and also as the choreographer for this production she created inventive dance numbers which the cast mastered well. 

Fagin was perfectly cast and looked the part without his long gold velvet coat, red satin shawl, gold waistcoat and black hat.  The audience were treated to a professional performance from an actor who knew exactly what was required of him. With a great voice too.  Bill Sykes can be a difficult character to portray and may be described in these times as needing anger management classes due to an emotional illness.  This actor showed the character’s propensity to bursts of extreme behaviour and anger. One of the best performances I have seen in this role and with a great baritone voice he sang ‘My Name’ with menace.

Supporting roles such as Mr Brownlow, played with such gentleness and compassion by this actor and Mrs Bedwin, his housekeeper, provided the moments of calmness along with Mr Grimwig the doctor who is comical and never wrong in his diagnosis. Old Sally was played sensitively as she tells Widow Corney of Oliver’s heritage.  Charley, one of Fagin’s gang, who speaks up only to be shot down by Fagin.

I was impressed with the costuming of this production. With the orphans in brown and white skirts or breeches, and off- white shirts or blousons. Nancy’s recognizable grimy red dress, Bill’s black heavy coat and unshaven look, Fagin’s gang in various coloured trousers and shirts and brown, green or taupe hats with messy hair and grubby faces. Suffice to say these all added to the authenticity of the production. As did the lighting, with yellows and oranges for the daytime scenes and dimmed blues and greens used for the more menacing scenes such as Nancy’s murder and Bill’s death. The director tackled both of these scenes well and handled them carefully as they can be disturbing to some audience members. I congratulate Andrew Coley, who took on the role of Director, after casting, on an enjoyable and honest staging of this wonderful musical.  Last but never least, well done to the team of chaperones, who, without them, we would not have been able to witness such a production of Oliver! 

Lyn Burgoyne for Patricia Barclay  - Noda Rep, District 5, Mid and East Devon.

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