This is one of my all time favourite musicals. not least because it is British and taken from an original story by one of my favourite authors. I enjoyed the evening despite a slight confusion over my seating. This was ably handled by the Front of House and I ended up in an equally good seat with a free gin and tonic as compensation so I am not making any complaint.

Oliver is a show well within the capabilities of your talented group and the evening gave some good performances. Chairman and director, TERRY GAUNTLETT used the group to great advantage however, I do have to wonder if he gave enough thought to the atmosphere he needed and the background of the story. When I read his programme introduction again afterwards, I have to say that I think he had but didn’t manage to achieve the effect he wanted. It was too clean! The lighting was too bright and, in a lot of the scenes there was too much space. I realise that the Churchill is a big stage area but a little less of it visible would have helped. The production was mostly well paced except for the build up in Act 2, which lacked tension, and also the spacing here was odd. Why did everyone have to be on the bridge?

Some excellent choreography by MARISA PETROZZI added to the lively presentation. It was fun and very bouncy and well executed with perhaps a little difficulty with the spacing at times but mostly nicely performed. STEVEN DAY showed his versatility, and gave the musical direction balance and co-ordination. He obviously had rehearsed the chorus well and the children in particular followed his lead in a disciplined way. The two things that worried me most in this show (and I Must say sorry to MICHAEL SIMPSON and the Wardrobe) were the lighting and the costumes. The stage was too well lit and the costumes were too clean. On two occasions, once in each act, there were blue lights focused not on stage but straight at the audience. It is so important to get this right, as I know you know. The belief of the audience in the creation is lost if every detail is not creating. the correct mood. There I’ve said it. I could go on but 1 won’t. I’ll just move on to the performances.

The stars of Oliver are always the children. I was there on Thursday night and so saw the Plummy team but I‘m sure that Slam was just as talented. The team sang well and with great enthusiasm. They gave all they were asked for and some more and it was really delightful to watch their concentration and facial expressions. I thought “Be Back Soon” particularly good.

On the Thursday evening, Oliver was played by LUKE BIRCHENOUGH. He has a very sweet voice and was trying so hard to get everything right. It was an earnest performance, which I thoroughly enjoyed and which shows great promise.

PATRICK VINCENT gave a really good performance as Mr Bumble. It is always difficult to take on a part that has been performed by household names such as Harry Secombe and to give Your own interpretation but Patrick met the challenge so very, well. His lovely voice and good stage presence were ideal.

He was ably partnered by PAULINE GREGOIRE as Widow Corney and they gave a well balanced, comic rendition of the duet “I Shall Scream Mr Bumble” as well as giving powerful performances in their other scenes

I really enjoyed the scene in the Undertaker’s Shop. There were four nicely judged Characterisations here. ANTHONY PAKENHAM used his experience of playing character roles and made the perfect sepulchral undertaker and was balanced by a good performance by LOUISE GAUNTLETT as his shrew of a wife. JONATHAN FAINT and SALLY WHITNEY who both took the opportunity for some really oily and sluttish moments played the two other nasty people in this place of torture for Oliver. The confusion at the end of this scene was excellently played by all.

MARTIN SNOW played the Artful Dodger on Thursday evening. This was a really lovely performance. Although the stage seemed bare and large for this young man, he filled it with his personality and vigour. His character never failed to dominate and the pantomime chase scene at the end of Act 1 was very nice and controlled.

What can I say about KEVIN GAUNTLETT’s performance of Fagin? This was a very individual characterisation with drive and power. The performance was “dirty” even if the costume was not. A joy! In a sinister sort of way.

My heart went out to TRACY PRIZEMAN. After all the work and the courage it must have taken to perform again, it must have been absolutely heart breaking to have to admit defeat and have someone else sing in for her. It was courageous and masterly to keep the verve and “oomph” of the character going even though’ not performing the songs. Well done. Also very well done to JO BEGLEY who very capably sang in the music. It was only noticeable at times that the voice and the actress were not one. I do hope that no lasting damage has been done to Tracy’s voice.

Nancy’s lover and her fate, Bill Sykes, was brilliantly played by ALEX BANKS. This was a terrific performance creating such good tension from his very first entrance. Alex used every ounce of his talent to create this hateful character and to dominate everyone at each appearance. I really must congratulate him. I was extremely impressed and enjoyed it so much.

JACK SAXER and LYDIA PORTER who gave lovely cameo performances without which the show would have been the poorer completed Fagin’s gang

The comfortable side of life and where Oliver finds love was represented by Mr Brownlow, Mrs Bedwin and Dr Grimwig played by ROBIN HAZELTON, BRENDA JORDAN and BOB FAINT respectively. They were hampered by an extreme expanse of stage in the bedroom scene and this made creating atmosphere very, hard. They also had to compete with some noise off stage. However, they used their experience and talent and overcame these difficulties to add their touch to the whole piece. A very valuable contribution.

The street scene had a good feel to it. Here I have no criticism about the atmosphere. The four singers had good voices and stage presence and used the lovely music here to great advantage The movement was very fluid too. Well done to KERRY BOTT, KIM SIBLEY, JOSIE SIMPSON and PHILIP HATCH.

Finally but not by any means the least part of the show, the chorus who made a lovely sound and were very well disciplined in both song and dance.

Well, a show of contrasts for me anyway. I will not repeat myself as I’ve said it all above. Please do not be downcast because it was a show many groups would have been proud of with some excellent individual performances in it. I really enjoyed my evening. Thank you for the invitation I look forward to seeing more from you in the future.