Oliver

This was a bright and entertaining production from LADOS. ‘Oliver’ contains some of the best songs in musical theatre I thought that the opening number by the workhouse children singing ‘Food, Glorious Food’ was powerful, well disciplined, full of energy and expression. Peter Thompson relished in the role of Mr Bumble and Mandie Doherty turned in a great performance as the waspish ‘Widow Corney’ and both their singing was well executed. I did like the Sowerberry’s, Andy Whittle came across rather creepy, just right for a Victorian undertaker and Joanne Metcalfe was ideal as his unreasonable wife. An excellent characterisation of the sly, conniving Fagin was given by John Beamer, his singing of ‘Pick a Pocket or Two’ and ‘Be Back Soon’ with Fagin’s gang was splendid.

Oliver on the night that I came along was played by Ben Jeffery, he gave a real sense of vulnerability amid all the powerful adults, and sang a very touching ‘Where is Love’, very well done. I really enjoyed the performance given by Oliver 1p as the cheeky know it all Dodger, whose singing of ‘Consider Yourself’ was super, and here we had some good choreography and dancing by all on stage. Anna Webster as Nancy gave an excellent performance, she made an impact from her first entrance, brashly vocal with the chorus in ‘Oom Pah Pah’ and ‘It’s a Fine Life’, yet tender and warm in ‘As Long As He Needs Me’ and she maintained her character throughout. I was impressed with Shannon Whittle as Bet, she has very good stage presence and always in character. Bill Sykes played by John Haydock worked well with Nancy who always stuck to her man, and I very much enjoyed his singing of ‘My Name’, really powerful.

All the important smaller parts were cameo’s in their own right, and here we had some very good acting. Every person on stage from the leading principles to dancers and chorus sang and acted brilliantly. I thought that ‘The Cries of London’ was excellent. The chorus work underlined the hard work the society had put in. The children stole the show as you would expect and I heard just how good the other Oliver and Dodger were, so well done Ewan and Ross.

The set looked good, so was sound and lighting, which added to the mood of Victorian London. Costumes reflected the poverty and classes of the times, but I just missed the flash of a petticoat. The choreography was extremely attractive and as always an excellent orchestra with some beautiful violin playing, and not forgetting the humorous cat and well behaved ‘Sykes’ as Bullseye. Thank you.

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