|
OLIVER! SHOW TO BE PROUD OF:
With the main characters acting their socks off, what more could you ask from Launceston Amateur Dramatic Society (LADS)? Working together as a team, they produced a fine piece of this classic musical by Lionel Bart based on the Dickens novel Oliver Twist to the delight of packed houses every night last week.
 After nearly two years in the planning stage and four months of rehearsals, Margaret Parker, LADS Chair told the Post that her dream had come true. “To open the 150th anniversary year with a spectacular production and to have in place our new sound amplification and theatre lighting in the Town Hall, coupled with admirable performances from the cast and chorus, ensuring high quality evening’s entertainment”.
The production under the direction of Norma Taylor, assisted by Pauline Blight, with expert musical direction from Margaret Johnson and her fine group of musicians, set the framework for this very ambitious show. The design and complexity of the set and scene changes by LADS technical team added to creating the atmosphere of grimy 19th century London.
The show was pure enjoyment with flame-haired Alison Corner, as Nancy, the bargirl who rescues the orphaned Oliver from the den of thieves, touches us with “I’d Do Anything” and roused us with a mug-thumping “Oom-Pah-Pah.” And we see her in her desperate exuberance to do right and tragically murdered by the villainous Bill Sykes played by Adam Bolton in the LondonBridge scene.
With the opening scene in the Workhouse and the use of the hall for the entrance of the workhouse boys helped set the ambience for the rest of this musical, singing their hearts out with the opening song “Food Glorious Food”. Oliver played by Josh Lyle is chosen to approach the workhouse proprietor Mr Bumble (Brian Donahue) and the famous word are spoken “Please Sir May I Have Some More”, Bumble and Widow Corney (Claire Fishleigh) are outraged and retire to the parlour were Bumble tries to woo the widow and their lusty duet of “I Shall Scream” and the mercenary departure “Boy For Sale” made good use of the auditorium.
Bumble indentures young Oliver to comically ghoulish undertakers Mr and Mrs Sowerberry (Phill Blackwell and Anita Crayton) and aide and abetted by Charlotte (Laura Ware) their daughter and Noah Claypole (Dan Blackwell) make Oliver’s life a misery. The characterisation of the Sowerberry’s added to the rendition of “Thats Your Funeral” and young Josh’s “Where Is Love” embodies the essence of the loveable Charles Dickens character, portraying the brave but defiant youth perfectly, certainly melting the maternal hearts of the ladies in the audience. Oliver is lured off the streets by pick-pocketing Artful Dodger, Fagin’s able first lieutenant confidently played by Harry Eccles who delivers the boy to Fagin, the notorious leach, played like a fallen gentleman by Michael Drynan. Instantly hateable, growling and lumbering around the stage in rags, the evil façade to reveal a struggling, possible moral being beneath, it was an enormously touching and character building moment.
As the Artful Dodger, Nancy and Bet played by Sally Bounsall and Fagin’s gang engage in play acting Ladies and Gentlemen and the tuneful “I’d Do Anything For You” you see Dodgers affection for Nancy. The delivery of, and a scintillating performance “Be Back Soon” and “Reviewing The Situation” by Fagin keep the audience in suspense.
When Oliver is sent out on his first job things go wrong and finds himself up before the Magistrate for stealing pocket handkerchiefs. Arrested Oliver is taken in by the venerable wealthy Mr Brownlow (Nick Hewlitt) who played the part of Sykes in LADS 1982 production and looked after by his charming housekeeper Mrs Bedwin (Pat Minett), pronounced fit by the dithering Dr Grimwig (Rob Parkin) Oliver is sent to return books, but is nabbed again by Sykes and Nancy and taken back to the thieves’ kitchen. Nancy a truly lively Cockney girl, the downtrodden girlfriend of Sykes who piteously sings after being subject to yet anothe r bout of mindless violence “As Long As He Needs Me” set out to readdress the situation.
There is the realisation after a death bed confession by Old Sally (Ruth Wood) that Oliver is Mr Brownlow’s grandchild and the climax comes is when Nancy arranges to meet Mr Brownlow on LondonBridge to bring Oliver home. Brutally murder by Sykes he is trapped by the crowd and shot, Fagin making his escape in the confusion with his ill begotten gains.
Adult chorus also includes Bow Street Runners (Phill Blackwell, Roger Pyke & Evelyn White), Hussar (Lawrence Palmer), Old Lady (Jane Herman), dying Old Sally (Ruth Wood) and Night Watchman (David Shrimpton) with additional singers/dancers Tracy Carmichael, Amy Ellicott, Nicola Frost, Cherry Pyke, Alison Rowe, Elena McAlonan, Marlene Jewell, Ann Conyers & John Nutley. Additional children in the boys' chorus were Duncan Whale (Charlie Bates), Edward Ardner-Forsdyke, Verity Blackwell, Shannon Brailsford, Jasmine Crayton, Alice Davies, Thomas Davison, Cathy Parkin, Harriet Parsons, Jasmine Phelps, Alex Power, Katie Teasdale, Sarah Teasdale, Sarah Thompson & Gemma Wilson.
The set team under Alan Minett and Liz Eagle constructed a breathtaking set with artistic flair, whilst stage manager Hil Whale with Kate Hancock sourced an extensive range of authentic and realistic props including cooked porridge for the workhouse gruel.
The lighting and sound team of Fred Parker, Matt Elesmore and John Vivian added to the scenic effects expertly. Linda Packer expertly co-ordinated and researched a huge cast wardrobe with some chorus members requiring at least three period costumes, ranging from flamboyant dresses and uniforms to poverty stricken Victorian rags. Not forgetting the numerous chorus and backstage volunteers who worked tirelessly to assist them. This was a really impressive production, with wonderful songs, lively dancing, a strong and believable storyline, tragedy, humour and most of all, a rewarding result from great teamwork by a dynamic local Dramatic Society.
|
