Oliver!

Oliver!
By Lionel Bart. Eltham Little Theatre. Director/Choreographer: Amy Jenkins. Musical Director: Emily Crawford. July 11 – 27, 2014

There was much to enjoy in ELT’s production of Oliver! ELT generally perform straight plays and a junior musical each year. These have been very successful, but it is many years since they have mounted a musical for all ages.

The show opens with the kids singing “Food, Glorious Food”, and the singing was as good as I’ve heard from juniors in a musical. However, they could have been directed to show more expression and animation on stage. Other chorus numbers were musically just as good.

Fagin is a gift of a role and Iain Broster looked the part, being tall and lean with a wispy beard. Often sung by a squeaky tenor, “Pick a Pocket or Two” was sung in a really low key, showing a lovely warm bass-baritone voice. He did well, but lacked the slimy aspects of the character, while some lines were missed when his voice dropped.

As Nancy, Emily Crawford has a voice to die for. Classically trained, she was also able to belt. This made for a particularly impressive “As Long As He Needs Me”. Usually belted, she alternated with her sweet soprano to give it a more poignant feel. However, “Oom Pah Pah” lacked the sense of fun one expected. Gavin Baker was a menacing Sykes, though a stronger singing voice would have added impact.

As Oliver, Caleb Waterworth displayed a lovely boy soprano voice. He was one of the smaller children and looked very vulnerable. Ben Fitzpatrick was a suitable cocky Artful Dodger.

Nicola Ramsey and Brad Buckingham looked like they’d stepped out of The Addams Family with their ghostly makeup and creepy demeanor for the Undertaker, Mr. Sowerberry, and his wife. Suitably over the top, “That’s Your Funeral” was a highlight.

Baritone John Leahy played the tenor role of Mr. Bumble, but noone told him that should be a problem, and he fearlessly let fly on some top As! He worked very well with Kath Buckingham as Widow Corney, who sang and acted impressively. Phil Homes was a sympathetic Mr. Brownlow.

ELT has a very small stage, which works well for the plays they generally perform, but made performing a musical difficult. However, the minimalist set with a walkway and steps at the back worked well, and with a few scenes played in front of the curtain, the action flowed.

The main problem was the action scenes. There is a lot of music for the chase scenes and the fight in the Sowerberry’s home. Oliver just stood and waited to be caught and didn’t even attack Noah Claypole. He should at least have kicked him in the ankle. If no well-choreographed chase is to be had, then the music should be cut.

In this revised version, “Consider Yourself” seemed to go forever and could have also benefitted from some judicious pruning. The choreography was relatively basic and some numbers required a bit more. The costuming was well done.

Well-known pianist Geoffrey Urquhart did sterling work on the keyboard, but a real piano would have allowed him to give more support in the big chorus numbers.

This was opening night and the pace will pick up as the season progresses, but the reaction from the audience was only positive.

Graham Ford

Images: Kath Buckingham, John Leahy and Caleb Waterworth; Iain Broster and Caleb Waterworth & Caleb Waterworth and Ben Fitzpatrick.

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