The youth section of the Eastbourne Operatic and Dramatic Society have chosen to perform Lionel Bart’s superb 1960 musical Oliver as their 2014 production, and they score a massive hit with it.
From the first scene, where the workhouse children fill the stage to sing about the virtues of “Food, Glorious Food”, right through to Fagin deciding that it’s time he was “Reviewing the Situation” the huge cast of eight to eighteen year olds give all that they have to make this production one of their best ever.
Damon Miller and Bethany Holdsworth play Mr Bumble and the Widow Corney who, while supposedly looking after the workhouse children, treat them terribly badly and feed them only gruel, prompting Oliver to pluck up all his courage and ask for more.
Sadly Oliver’s “greed” gets him a one way ticket out of the workhouse and he is sold to Mr Sowerberry, the undertaker. James Samuels plays this part very well, but he is quite literally dwarfed by the towering presence of, the very tall, Mel Thompson as his wife.
After a fight with the undertaker’s assistant, the particularly nasty Noah Claypole (Josh South), Oliver runs off but is “saved” by Jack Dawkins, also known as the Artful Dodger with Joel Riddington showing off bucket loads of cheeky charm in this role.
Sixteen year old Corey Hennelly is totally unrecognisable as Fagin, a testament to some fantastic make-up, a balding head, and the most amazing grey hair and whiskers. His portrayal of this kind hearted villain is text book perfect, with his accent staying constant and with just the right mix of comedy and pathos.
Hayley Huggett bursts on stage like a breath of fresh morning air as Nancy, her superb singing voice, and cheerful disposition, masking the troubled and tormented woman that lies underneath. Suffering at the hands, and fists, of the totally evil Bill Sykes (Harvey Laing) she carries on with her miserable life and vows to stay “As Long As He Needs Me”.
Of course, the star of the show is the title character, played by a newcomer to the EODS fold, Lewis Daynes. Displaying his charming good looks, a confidence that far exceeds his tender years and a powerful voice that will take him far in the world of musical theatre, Lewis is just right for the role.
Congratulations for such an excellent production are shared between Director – Jade Powers, Choreographer – Bethany-Terri Abrahams the EODS Orchestra, under the direction of Nicola Brazier and the superb cast of tremendously talented and extremely enthusiastic young people.
***** Five stars
