John Woodford, Mr Bumble, and Faye Lushey, Widow Corney. Picture by Jennifer Burton.
STAGE REVIEWENTHUSIASM poured from the cast of Oliver! as performed by Ventnor Theatre Group.
Youngsters aged seven and upwards, with accomplished adult actors, created a lively performance of Dickens’s classic tale.
Samuel Mabey, ten, and William Trasler, eight, took it in turns to play Oliver Twist and Samuel was particularly convincing as the young hero in the show I saw.
I thought his rendition of the solo, Where Is Love?, was heartfelt and he had clearly worked hard to understand his character and the era.
David Jowitt was suitably cocky and likeable as The Artful Dodger and I loved Fagin’s Gang — the choreography was fantastic and the kids were foot-perfect, especially when fooling around picking Fagin’s pockets in You’ve Got To Pick A Pocket Or Two.
Of the adults, Laura Groves was mesmerising as Nancy and Paul Stevens was great as money-loving rogue Fagin.
Richard Buckley and Sharon Lock were suitably sour as Mr and Mrs Sowerberry, the undertakers, while I thought Faye Lushey was saucy as the Widow Corney and John Woodford gave a great performance as wheedling Mr Bumble.
Steve Jones was terrifying as baddie Bill Sykes, while capable youngsters Scott Joy, Jackie Mallon, Ashleigh Mackness and Kimberley Trasler stepped into the roles of Noah Claypole, Charlotte, Bet and the book boy respectively.
Alan Dyson made a very likeable Mr Brownlow, while Nora Dempsey was motherly as Mrs Bedwin, Jonathan Idle was cynical as Dr Grimwig and Sue Watts and Carol Wigmore took on the roles of Old Sally and the old lady.
Mention should also be made of the two animals — the well-behaved owl in Fagin’s house and Bill Sykes’s dog.
This lively show was directed by Stephen Trasler, produced by Karen Trasler and choreographed by Rosie Curling, while the orchestra was under the direction of Andrew Woodford.
Reporter: katey@iwcpmail.co.uk