Oliver!

Alos

Oliver!                                The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.        October 25th 2014

Director: Russell Langdon                                                           MD: Malcolm Webb

Associate Director: Sandra Gilbert                       Choreographer: Gemma Short

This ever-popular show had drawn large audiences all week and the Saturday was no exception.  The set from UK Productions was very adaptable and allowed the story to progress swiftly and was well used throughout.  There was a raised area across the back with staircases leading to it, which enabled action to take place above while scene changes were happening on stage.  There were doors on the lower level between the stairs, which gave the opportunity for various entrances and bringing on furniture.  The scene changes were competent and quick.  To accommodate the large cast the orchestra were completely under the stage so the only visual contact between cast and MD was through monitors.  This had the potential to create huge problems but there were only a few places when they were not synchronised.  The lighting had been well designed helping create the vastness of the workhouse dining room, the dim seediness of Fagin’s liar, the wholesome cleanliness of Mr Brownlow’s House and the intimacy of Widow Corney’s Parlour.  The sound effects were well cued and the sound balance was good always-sounding natural. The costumes fitted well and combined with makeup helped create the individual characters especially Fagin; although Nancy had a nice costume it and she were much to clean and tidy not quite matching the dinginess which had been created by the sets and lighting

Instead of ‘settling in’ music a thunderstorm was rumbling in the background as the audience took their seats, which created a certain amount of tension for the opening of the show.  Then the almost 60 ‘orphans’, made an impressive entrance through the auditorium reminiscent of people entering the Royal Albert Hall for the Festival of Remembrance.  Food Glorious Food almost raised the roof and got the show off to a good start; the thing that really impressed me was that it was not just a well rehearsed children’s chorus, but each orphan had a wonderfully expressive face showing that they were really dreaming of the delights they were singing about.  They were always extremely well disciplined, always in the right place responding appropriately to the action at all times, always working together as a company and never drawing undue attention to themselves, as sometimes happens with young people.  They worked well throughout bringing their youthful vitality to all the scenes they were in.

The cast brought the story to life giving some excellent portrayals.  There were two boys sharing the role of Oliver and the one I saw, displayed a good understanding of the character, showing vulnerability and spirit in equal parts when required, and sang his way through confidently.  Charlie Lock as The Artful Dodger was a self assured ‘man about town’, thinking himself older than his years and Fagin’s right hand man, the recruitment of Oliver to the gang was well done.  Jill Carter gave a powerful performance as Nancy, expressing the divided loyalties she feels between her love for Sykes and protecting Oliver.  She sang ‘As Long As He Needs Me’ with true passion.  Mr Bumble and Widow Corney worked well together with an amusing rendition of ‘I Shall Scream’.  I usually enjoy the sequence with Sowerberry’s in the Funeral Parlour, and this was no exception, it has its darker side but the humour and hysteria were shown to perfection.  I was a little disappointed with Bill Sykes, he did not quite capture the menace of the character for me, he should be able to terrify people with a look in ‘My name’ and it did not happen.  Although you know what a terrible character Fagin was, encouraging young children into a life of crime, James Canning’s portrayal made you feel sympathy for the man, especially during his rendition of ‘Reviewing The Situation’.

Choreographer, Gemma Short, had devised lively and energetic dance numbers which the cast obviously enjoyed performing.  Musical Director, Malcolm Webb, overcame the challenges presented by this production keeping musicians and voices mostly together, the music never overpowering voices, especially in the numbers with the young people.  Director Russell Langdown had worked well with his cast especially the large number of young people.  Bill Sykes brutal attack on Nancy was very convincing but where she ‘died’ was in view of the audience and seemed rather in the way; people had to pass her body and not react at the horror of the situation until later, so it lost some of the impact. Having said that there were many excellent moments such as when time was frozen after Mr Brownlow realises he has been robbed, and the subsequent chase; the beginning of Act 2 was lively and raucous creating the atmosphere of the public house; the tenderness of Mrs Bedwin; and the total support given to the production by the whole company, keeping up the pace and energy throughout.  The night I was there the audience really appreciated the show.  Well done everyone.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.