Following the huge successes of their last two productions, Annie Get Your Gun and Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang, Romiley Operatic Society (amateur) return to The Stockport Plaza with Lionel Bart’s much loved musical, Oliver!. Almost, sixty years old this perennial favourite has become a staple of many amateur societies and ROS is no exception having previously performed Oliver! on three other occasions. Having seen this wonderful musical many times, this production is one of the best that this reviewer has seen. Director, Michael Jones-McCaw has assembled a first rate cast, who wring out every ounce of comedy, drama and pathos from this well known story.
From the first notes of the opening number, “Food Glorious Food,” it is clear that we are in safe hands. Against a backdrop proclaiming that, ‘God Is Love,’ the chorus of thirty plus workhouse orphans sing and dance their hearts out in a desperate plea for fairness and extra rations. For daring to ask for more the angelic, sweet sounding Oliver is expelled from the workhouse and sold by the aptly named Mr Bumble, as an apprentice undertaker to the dour Mr Sowerberry and his family. Escaping from the Sowerberry’s clutches, Oliver travels to London where he meets the jocular Artful Dodger and the irrepressible Fagin. It is as a member of Fagin’s gang that Oliver’s adventures really begin. Performed with great style and slickly presented this production of Oliver! gradually builds in tension until the final dramatic denouement, when Oliver is reunited with his family and those who have wronged him are duly punished.
A successful production of Oliver! must have at it's core a set of principal performers who can invest themselves fully in their roles. Heading this extremely talented cast is Gary Jones-McCaw as Fagin. Having built a stellar 'career' in amateur theatre playing romantic leads, Jones-McCaw rises superbly to the challenge of playing one of the truly great character roles in musical theatre. His beautifully detailed nuanced performance is a revelation, every gesture, movement and vocal inflection is impeccably judged. Jones-McCaw’s rendition of, “I’m Reviewing The Situation,” is musical theatre perfection. This is an outstanding performance that will live long in the memory.
Other standout performances include Lucy Roberts as Nancy, who commands the stage with great authority especially when singing the haunting torch song, “As Long As He Needs Me,” and is genuinely heartbreaking in the second act when conveying the perilous and torturous nature of her situation. Roberts is new to the amateur stage and is clearly a talent to look out for in the future.
As Dodger, Connor Wyse is a natural song-and-dance man and is at his best when leading the company in “Consider Yourself,” and taking centre stage in the ensemble numbers, “I’ll Do Anything” and “It’s A Fine Life.” Alfie Hall as Oliver has a natural grace on stage and a beautiful singing voice. For someone so young he gives a captivating and very mature interpretation of the role. Congratulations to both young actors for giving such appealing and spirited performances.
The ensemble, especially the children in Fagin’s gang, are well drilled by choreographer Tracy Harper and attack each number with bags of energy and enthusiasm. The orchestra under Musical Director Claire Sweeney, provide fantastic musical support and rarely have I heard Oliver! sound this good. On the strength of this and other productions that I have ever seen, it is easy to see why ROS has earned a reputation for being one of the best amateur musical societies in Greater Manchester. This is a terrific production of a brilliant musical and should not be missed.
Oliver is at the Stockport Plaza until Saturday 30 March
Reviewer - Richard Hall
on - 27/3/19
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