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| Emily Pogson (Nancy) - Willum Hollier-Smith (Oliver) in Queanbeyan Players production of "Oliver" |
Directed and co-musical directed by Jude Colquhoun - Co-musical direction by Jenna Hinton
Choreographed by Jodi Hammond - Costume design by Janetta McRae
Set design by Jude Colquhoun - Lighting design by Jacob Aquilina
Presented by Queanbeyan Players
The Q,
Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre until 6th October 2019.
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
There is a
particular pleasure derived from Queanbeyan Players productions in watching
members of the community stepping out of their comfort zone to entertain. Few
have any acting ambitions beyond delivering their lines accurately, singing in
tune, and interpreting the direction to the best of their ability.
The Lionel
Bart musical, “Oliver”, is a perfect choice for such a company. Based on the
Charles Dickens novel “Oliver Twist”,
the show is set in Victorian England, and follows the adventures of an
orphan from a workhouse, who in an effort to escape an apprenticeship to an
undertaker, runs off to London, only to find himself taken in by a group of
thieves and pickpockets.
Despite the darkness of the storyline, the show is
packed full of tuneful songs, with plenty of meaty character roles providing
opportunities for director Jude Colquhoun to indulge in judicious type-casting
to highlight the various talents of her large cast.
Focusing her
production towards school holiday entertainment, Colquhoun has deliberately downplayed
the darker Dickensian aspects of the musical, and designed a flexible,
uncluttered setting, which although providing little sense of time or place,
when combined with Janetta McRae’s colourful costumes and Jodi Hammond’s
resourceful large scale choreography, provided a series of attractive stage
pictures and allowed the show to flow smoothly.
It would be
hard to find a more ideal Oliver than Willum Hollier-Smith. Looking younger
than his 11 years, with his cherubic face and silvery voice, Willum melted
hearts and practically stopped the show with his lovely rendition of “Where is
Love”. He also proved an intuitive actor, totally aware of, and participating
in, the events which were taking place around him.
Emily Pogson
is also beautifully cast as Nancy, bringing a convincing sincerity to her
performance of “As Long As He Needs Me” as she attempts to justify her
relationship with the abusive Bill Sikes, strongly played by Michael Jordan.
Anthony Swadling offers a sympathetic portrayal of Fagin, underplaying the dark
undertones of the role, and Joss Kent is an appropriately cheeky Artful Dodger.
Chris Bennie and Tina Robinson as Mr Bumble and Widow Corney, and Sarah Powell
and John Potter and Mr and Mrs Sowberry, are stand-outs among the many
character roles and all receive strong, attentive support from the large
ensemble.
Though
taking a little while to settle on opening night, Jen Hinton’s large orchestra provided
lush accompaniment throughout, with a particularly impressive violin solo by
Bronwyn Potter accompanied Fagin’s “Reviewing the Situation”. Good sound and
lighting design added enhancement to the production, with special mention for
the attractively designed programs which provide an essential souvenir of a
well-drilled, entertaining production.
Photo: Holly Treadaway
This review first published in the digital edition of CITY NEWS on 28th September 2019
