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| Ben Burgess as Oliver Twist Photo: Familyfotographics.com |
Presented by
Ickle Pickle Productions
Belconnen
Theatre until 25th January
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
Previously
known for their school holiday productions of children’s musicals, Ickle Pickle
is this year presenting an ambitious full scale production of the Lionel Bart musical
masterpiece “Oliver”, which is based on the Charles Dickens novel “Oliver
Twist”.
Director,
John Alsford has downplayed the darker Dickensonian aspects of the show,
favouring a simplistic, bright setting, fresh, colourful costumes, even for the
paupers, and well-drilled chorus numbers sung with gusto to spectacularly
inappropriate choreography.
Among the
cast of 50 adults and children, Ben Burgess is appealing, though tentative, as Oliver
Twist, too often left unsupported by the direction. Oliver’s friendship with
the Artful Dodger (Jack Taylor) is left unexplored, as is his relationships
with any of the other characters.
Among the
adult actors, Richard Block is a suitably menacing Bill Sykes, Michael Miller
and Debra Byrne have fun as Mr Bumble and Widow Corney. Michael Jordan is
rather too restrained as Fagin, while Jeff Young (Charley Bates) and Jenny
Watson (Bet) prove there is no such thing as small roles.
Although
attractive in its own right, the sequenced soundtrack proved problematical,
robbing the production of spontaneity and pace as several of the un-miked cast struggled
with vocal entrances.
No doubt
this production will smarten up as the cast gain confidence with further
performances, and should prove a winner with its young target audience, and for
Ickle Pickle.
This review is published in the January 17th - 23rd edition of CITY NEWS
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| Leanne Olsen as Nancy Ben Burgess as Oliver Photo: Familyphotgraphics.com |
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| Michael Jordan as Fagin Photo: Familyphotographics |
This review is published in the January 17th - 23rd edition of CITY NEWS
