Oliver!

Messenger Review

You start to feel hungry even before Nathan Ng’s Oliver asks for more. Just the sound of 17 boys’ voices singing Food, Glorious Food with such gusto starts your tummy rumbling. Your appetite is whetted in a different way by the quality of this Dickens’ tale performed by a fantastic cast who are a delight. Young Nathan does wonderfully well in the title role and we are on his side as he faces hardship at the work house, from his undertaker boss, and in the hands of his counterpart, the Artful Dodger, a cunning but likeable Rob Dutton. These two young actors are so impressive, it is hard to realise they are only 12 and 16 respectively. Despite the jollity of the dancing (choreographed by director, David Needham) and songs like Nancy’s Oom-Pah-Pah, this show has it’s sadder moments. The one that stays with you is Nancy’s murder by lover, Bill Sykes. Her loyalty to this evil man is hard to understand and you conclude the only answer is that she loves him. Charlie Tomlinson’s despicable Bill makes scoundrel Fagin, look like an angel. Stephanie Niland sings As Long as He Needs Me both poignantly and beautifully, illustrating well her attraction to this bastard. The quality of Stephanie’s voice is as good as any professional. Although Fagin is a criminal who uses children to pick pocket for him, Steven Finney projects him as an old man who is genuinely fond of them and acts like a father figure. His rendering of Reviewing the Situation is particularly expressive. A word in praise of the ten-strong orchestra led by Steven Mercer. They are the perfect accompaniment to the many catchy numbers but also add atmosphere. For instance, when Oliver is arrested, the violinist, Rachael Drury, creates an element of surprise and dismay by making a discordant screeching sound on her instrument. Some roles are interchangeable over the course of the production. |Other well known Garrick names take over on other nights and because I know them, I can give assurance they will be equally as good as those involved on the first night. The Production Supervisor is Paul Kerryson, the Garrick’s new Executive Producer. If, under his guidance, this show is an indication of what is to come, we are in for exciting times. Oliver is one of the best musicals I have seen at this excellent theatre although I have seen many other good ones as well. Because it is such a special show, the Garrick are running Oliver until Sunday, February 1 with Saturday matinees on 24th and 31 January and one Sunday matinee on February 1.

Preview in the Messenger

A show to leave audiences wanting more at Altrincham Garrick