Oliver

Oliver! is a British musical, with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart  based upon the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens first published in serial form in 1838. It premièred in the West End in 1960, enjoying a long run followed by a successful Broadway production in 1963 and further tours and revivals. It was made into a very successful musical film in 1968 winning several Oscars including best film. Major London revivals played from 1994–98 and again from 2008–11.

Waterloo and Crosby found putting on this show (using the Chairman’s words) an uphill struggle as when they went into rehearsal they did not have a venue for this production or knew if their licence would be valid for their original preferred dates. Fortunately they fell on their feet with The Starry Nights Theatre at Litherland High School

In this lively energetic production we were treated to some very good performances. Euan Parkes as Oliver gave a lovely performance of the sensitive little boy who just wanted to be loved. Lucas Frost as The Artful Dodger was memorable as the cheeky know it all Dodger. There was a very good performance from Jamie Lester as Fagin who performed with a very severe throat infection. Well done to Jamie, even with this problem his dialog was clear and could be heard, I liked the way he seemed to glide around the stage when he walked. Alexandra Appleton gave us a fun loving flighty Nancy, her love for Bill was obvious even though he was a danger to her and Leo Appleton was suitably dark and menacing as Bill Sykes.  Patrick Mercer as Mr Bumble and Maureen Hogan as Widow Corney were believable in their portrayals of the Beadle and the Matron of the Workhouse. Linda Hansen was very entertaining as Mrs Sowerberry the undertakers wife and Danny Walsh was suitably melancholy and grim as Mr Sowerberry . Noah Claypole and Charlotte Sowerbberry were well played by Les Longley and Emerald Hickey and Roy Hartley as Dr Grimwig gave us a lovely comedic episode. Joan McGuigan- Ashcroft was very loving in her portrayal of Mrs Bedwin and Jon Hilton who took over the part of Mr Brownlow at short notice was very secure in his role and played his character with dignity. Laura Boylan as Bet (Nancy’s friend), Pat Kelly as old Sally and Alex Burke as Charles Bates all gave nice characterisations The chorus gave a reliable performance and looked as if they were enjoying themselves, they also provided us with a number of nice characterisations during the show. Well done to the children’s chorus of workhouse boys and Fagin’s gang who were very enthusiastic and also appeared to enjoying themselves immensely.

The orchestra conducted by Musical Director Charles Moss was placed at the side of the stage area which meant there could have been a possibility that the orchestra may overshadow the performers.  Although this was a slight problem on a few occasions the orchestra was generally very good, well balanced and supportive of the performers. The Choreography by Claudia Molyneux was more than appropriate for this musical and was undertaken with enthusiasm by the cast.

As the venue was a studio theatre the stage area was on the flat, it had a very effective open set which meant all scene changes were undertaken in full view of the audience which could have interfered with the smooth running of the show. However the cast and crew appeared to cope well with this new set up although some scene changes were a little slow, well done to the stage crew, properties and lighting. There were a few problems with the lapel microphones; they were somewhat unreliable as they picked up interference from clothing and movement. Well done to the sound engineers for coping with this problem. Costumes were generally well put together and they appeared to fit in well with the period setting of the show, with good attention to detail.

Congratulations to the Artistic Director Pamela Foy for a very enjoyable production and well done to all involved including front of house staff.

Thank you for inviting me I really enjoyed my visit.

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