Half term week in October will see a large number of junior pickpockets and mischief-makers from the Young EODS (Eastbourne Operatic and Dramatic Society) take up residency at the Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne, when they bring with them the wonderful and timeless musical Oliver!, written by Lionel Bart.
Director Jade Powers says that the ongoing rehearsals are a joy to see. She added, “The teamwork amongst the company is fabulous, as it is their passion to produce a show that matches the standard of this year’s earlier EODS production of Jesus Christ Superstar, and in my mind they are really striving for perfection.
Corey Hennely takes on the role of Fagin with Hayley Hugget as Nancy and Harvey Laing as the formidable Bill Sykes, and all three are already giving performances worthy of adults – a tribute to the incredibly hard work that is being put in by the whole team.
Oliver is played by Lewis Daynes, and you would be forgiven for shedding a tear at the purity of his voice, and the company are convinced that everyone will love the cheekiness of Joel Riddington as The Artful Dodger.
Do not miss this creative production, which features a cast of 50 young people aged from 8 to 17 years old, as it is filled with sparkling choreography from new talent Bethany-Terri Abrahams (who brings a whole new passion to the cast) and fantastic orchestrations of all those well known songs from Musical Director, Nicola Brazier.
Performances of Oliver appear at the Devonshire Park Theatre from Tuesday 28th to Friday 31st October at 7.30 pm. There are also two matinees on Wednesday 29th at 2.30 pm and Saturday 1st November at 3 pm. (Please note there is no Saturday evening performance). Tickets are £12, with concessionary seats at £10, and they can be purchased from the Central Box Office at the Congress Theatre, by telephone on 01323 412000 or online at www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk
