Oliver

Riccarton Players has for many years now, performed an annual musical, they have varied from tried & true to newer modern works, and this year have selected Oliver to ensure their tradition of providing family entertainment is retained.

Oliver was first performed on the London stage back on June 30th, 1960 and in fact toured NZ in 1967 with an Australian cast. It has been performed countless times since by theatres, schools and revivals – currently on in London’s West End with Rowan Atkinson in the lead role of Fagin.

When Charles Dickens’ wrote “Oliver Twist” one wonders if he ever would have thought a magical musical version would endear the characters to all who now know the story – the story of a boy who asked for more – some 170 years later. Dickens’ is known to have adored the theatre, witnessing his stories being brought to life by actors on a stage, meant as much to him as seeing them on a printed page.

Thirty-four years after its’ London premiere, the show has been revisited and tweaked by the Cameron Mackintosh machine, adding harmonies, extending the musically of the piece to make it as fresh today as it was in 1960.

Riccarton Players’ production of the show will again focus on the musical itself. Devoid of clutter, the set has multiple uses, enabling flow and the folding of the various scenes to fuse the cast with its audience.

In the Musical Director’s chair for this year is Diane Coad, who admits she’d rather be behind the piano, but is meeting the challenge of the cohesiveness of voices and working alongside the experienced Annette Searle as Choreographer, and Doug Clarke as Director. Annette returns to Riccarton Players after a break and is enjoying working with the 15 young cast ‘orphans’ she has to drill dance routines into, and Doug is controlling the larger than normal cast into doing things his way, with lots of coercion, patience and confidence.

In the pivotal role of Fagin, we have inveigled a conniving Tom Hart (last appeared for us as one of the twins in Blood Brothers). Tom has been in Oliver before, but as a child actor, not in a lead role. The role of Nancy, goes to newcomer Emily Twemlow, whose powerful voice will enthrall with the show’s show stopping signature tune “As Long As He Needs Me.” A recent import from Australia, Emily is thrilled to be working with such a strong cast of dedicated individuals.
Mr Bumble, The Beadle, is being portrayed by Barry McKenzie (fresh from his role in “Chess”) and he is relishing the role as is Donna Buchanan, as Widow Corney. They have a delightful little scene together which will leave many chortling, not only for its repartee, but also some clever choreography. (Donna is also assisting with the vocal dynamics of the production.)

The choice for the role of Oliver was difficult, with so many auditioning, but Richard Townsend, entranced and won the coveted role with is cherubic smile and delightful voice. Cameron Melville has the role of the knowledgeable and cheeky Artful Dodger and Phil Dean plays the menacing baddy, Bill Sykes.

Memorable tunes “Food, Glorious Food”, “Who Will Buy”, “Where Is Love”, “Consider Yourself”, all combine to make this an appealing choice for family entertainment.

Event listed by Darfield Events

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