Oliver! Jr

The audience was met by a simple but impressive fixed set, including a central bridge, street lamp and suitable backcloth, which was easily transformed to Fagin’s den and the Brownlow residence. In this junior version the opening number of Workhouse children sang ‘Food Glorious Food’ providing a strong sequence when we meet Oliver, Mr Bumble and Widow Corney. Such is the depth of talent in the group that some of the main principals were doubled, performing in two out of the four performances and I have no doubt those in performances I did not see would be equally as good.

I had the pleasure of watching Harriette Townsend as Oliver Twist, who portrayed the innocent lad well and sang ‘Where is love?’  with great feeling. Mr Bumble played by Edith  Dean had good presence and  a strong voice and after Oliver asked for more, he is swept away and sold to Mr and Mrs Sowerberry, played by Olivia Simpkin and Rosie Walton who were suitably mean towards Oliver,  together with Noah Claypole and Charlotte (Phoebe Fisher and Georgia Perrigo).

Poppy Banks as the Artful Dodger stepped the level up a gear with great characterisation proving also to be a slick mover during ‘Consider Yourself’. Dodger was supported by a brilliant chorus of Fagin’s gang and we soon meet Fagin himself played by Matthew Houghton with the right accent and demeanour in ‘Pick a Pocket or Two’ and later with ‘Reviewing the Situation’.

Act 1 closed with; ‘It’s a Fine Life’ headed by Nancy, well played and sung by Ivy Affron, together with Bet giving good support by Jessica Barrett, ‘I’d Do Anything’ with some sharp focused movement and finally Fagin’s ‘Be Back Soon’ .

Act 2 opened with another cracking number ‘Oom-Pah-Pah’ and we meet Bill Sykes also played with good presence by Phoenix Wilson. I particular liked Ivy’s ‘As Long as He Needs Me’ and the ensemble had another opportunity to impress with ‘Who Will Buy’. Along the way, good support was provided by Lily Beth Betteridge (Charlie Bates) Mabel Wilding (Mr Brownlow), Tabitha Keenan (Mrs Bedwin) and Cassian Walshe as Dr. Grimwig. Several numbers were reprised before the tense scene when we witness the demise of Nancy and Bill.

What impressed me again, as it did with Matilda Jr. earlier in the year, was the quality of the singing backed as it must be with the recorded music, but which was not always helpful to the soloists, who handled the timing extremely well.  The costumes were first class as was the overall lighting. This was a sharp and slick direction including choreography by Leanne Cook and it was obvious the youngsters had worked hard to reach a standard that I now come to expect. Congratulations to all involved.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.