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Oliver..........................Archie Crockett
Noah Claypole..............Charlie Foord
Mrs Sowerberry...........Mollie Munday
Mr Bumble..........................Milo Baker
Widow Corney........Annalucia Navato
Mr Sowerberry..........Adam Brombley
Artful Dodger..................Samuel Beer
Charlie Bates...............Edward Carroll
Fagin…............................Ethan Emery
Nancy.............................Emily Bassett
Bet................................Jasmine Berry
Mr Brownlow...Brandon Cable-Rogers
Dr Grimwig....................Luke Marshall
Night Watchman...........Luke Marshall
Bill Sykes........................Kieran Poling
Mrs Bedwin...............Emily Blackburn
Old Sally............................Jess Hunter
Rose Seller....................Sian Samways
Strawberry Seller........Siobhan Carroll
Milkmaid............................Molly Berry
Long Song Seller........Adam Brombley
Knife Grinder...................Charles Clark
First Woman..........................Zoe Elliot
Second Woman..........Siobhan Carroll
Boy....................................Jack Callard
Chairman........................Charlie Foord
Bow Street Runner.........Charlie Foord
Bow Street Runner........…Jacob Hogg
Bookseller.........................Jess Hunter
Ashton Allen, Danielle Betts, Alice Clark, Victoria Clark, Lizzie Codling, Maddie Codling, Mishka Cook, Tegan Cook, Emily Cox, Mia Dudley, Niamh Foley, Isobel Griggs, Scarlett Harris, Eden Hillier-Smith, Hope Hillier-Smith, Darcy Lampkin, Phoebe Le May, Kit MacKenzie, Dylan McGrath, Jasmine Sayer, Tabitha Smith-Allen, Laura Taylor, Anwen Treacher, Faith Williams
Director – Jacqui Ivemy
Musical Director – Dennis Brombley
Choreographer – Matt Newman
Venue – Ferneham Hall, Fareham
It is a sign of the maturity of this youth theatre production that it only occurred to me just before the interval that none of the people on stage was over 18 years old. Any suggestion that youth theatre is somehow irrelevant or inferior would be resoundingly refuted by this top-notch and very professional production of Oliver! by Stage One.
The chorus signing and choreography had obviously been well rehearsed and we were treated to some spectacular set-pieces such as Food, Glorious Food, Consider Yourself and Pick a Pocket or Two. Every person on stage was totally engaged and very obviously giving their all – there must be many directors locally who wish they could instil that degree of enthusiasm and energy into their casts! It is infectious and you find yourself being carried along with all the excitement, such that the show passes in a trice.
A lot of responsibility rests on the young shoulders of boy who plays Oliver, but Archie Crockett carried off this major role with great self-confidence and assurance. He conveyed just the right amount of innocence and spark, and he sang to perfection. Playing the Artful Dodger opposite him, Samuel Beer was the most perfect swaggering, confident and charming example of this character I have seen – you could easily understand why a frightened young boy would follow him back to Fagin’s lair. He also charmed the audience with his excellent singing voice.
Fagin and Bill Sykes can be difficult roles for younger people to pull off, but Ethan Emery and Kieran Poling did just that, with great style. Ethan made Fagin quite likeable but with a rather sinister undertone, and handled his tricky songs extremely well – I particularly liked the interaction with the violinist. Kieran was a very menacing Bill Sykes and made you feel that violence was just an ill-advised glance away. His diction was excellent and I’ve never heard ‘My Name’ sung so well.
Emily Bassett was a lovely raucous and kind-hearted Nancy, putting across her songs well, especially ‘Oom-Pah-Pah’. She was well matched with Jasmine Berry, her sidekick Bet. Milo Baker (Mr Bumble) really impressed with the maturity and clarity of his singing voice – and I enjoyed the interaction between him and Annalucia Navato as Widow Corney.
The Sowerberrys were an inspired pairing. Normally minor roles, both Adam Brombley and Mollie Munday made them unforgettable. Adam was suitably funereal and downtrodden while Mollie was fabulously shrewish. You really felt they deserved to be married to each other. I must also congratulate the market sellers (Sian Samways, Siobhan Carroll, Molly Berry, Adam Brombley and Charles Clark) for their beautiful part singing in ‘Who Will Buy’ – a real delight to listen to – and Emily Blackburn (Mrs Bedwin) whose chance to shine in song was short but very sweet!
The simple but flexible set worked really well, with a promenade along the back and one side, plus simple blocks providing different heights, together with well-chosen pictures projected on the backcloth and very atmospheric lighting. Despite this simplicity, the stage crew had to work really hard changing the scenes and although this was a little distracting during Mr Bumble’s song ‘Boy for Sale’, they never hindered the flow of the show, which always maintained a good pace. Costumes were well chosen, giving a good impression of the era.
The twelve piece band under Dennis Brombley’s assured baton, produced a great sound – brassy and loud for the big numbers but subtle for the more intimate moments. A crystal clear sound system ensured we heard every word.
This was another outstandingly good production from Stage One – congratulations to everyone involved.
Mark Donalds
NODA SE District 10 Representative
Most Saturday evenings are a bit ‘average’ but last night I attended your production of ‘Oliver’ Wow ! the performance given by the whole production was amazing. With never a dull moment. The parts were all well cast, with Fagin’s soliloque leaving tears running down my cheeks ! Nancy’s songs perfect, and Mr Bumble not a person to meet on a dark night ! StageOne an amateur production in the name but not fact. Surely { } much away from the West End ? Thanks to everyone, from producer onwards.
Regards J.T.
WOW!!! Stage One you really have done an amazing job this time with "Oliver". Every single one of you were absolutely amazing. Once again I have enjoyed being part of a backstage team supporting the superstars you all are. Onwards and upwards for West Side Story. Lots of love Nicola Emery (Fagin's mum!!) xx
Hello David and Jackie + all the Stage One Team
The show was brilliant and our girls had a fantastic time !
I would just like to say how impressed we both were with the organisation, the coaching and the commitment we have seen from all at Stage One. Maddie and Lizzie have had an unforgettable life experience and will still be buzzing from the experience for some time to come!
We wanted to say thank you so much for all the commitment that you and all the team put into creating such a great organisation for children to enjoy and develop their stage skills and of course their confidence when growing up which is so very important.
Thanks again and Well Done !
Sean and Sally
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