Music and lyrics by Lionel Bart
SYNOPSIS AND CAST
The curtain opens on the sinister interior of the workhouse with a bare dining table. Pale-faced wretches can be seem peering through the bars of the door at the back and the door opens and the boys file in to the table. Widow Corney, who runs the workhouse, and Mr Bumble, the parish beadle, enter to serve gruel to the boys. Alone amongst them Oliver takes the bowl to Bumble and asks for more and Bumble is outraged. Oliver must go, and is sold to Mr Sowerberry, the undertaker where he is alone, plaintive and surrounded by coffins.
He runs away and meets the Artful Dodger and Oliver is taken to a hideout to meet Fagin and the apprentice thieves – they welcome Oliver. Nancy, Bill Sykes girl, and Bet arrive. Next morning Oliver goes with the boys and is arrested by the police, not for picking pockets but simply for looking guilty.
Fagin’s boys tell of Oliver’s arrest by the police but that, as he has been found to be innocent, he is now safe in the house of a kindly, rich gentleman. Fagin and Sykes despatch Nancy to get Oliver back. Meanwhile, Oliver has become a well-cared for little lad. When he leaves the house, he is captured by Nancy and she returns him to Fagin.
Bumble and Mrs Corney, now married, discover that Oliver is the heir to a rich family and try to get him back. A regretful Nancy plans to return Oliver to his benefactor. She is fearful of Sykes and he stalks and kills her, grabs Oliver and, after a chase, is shot dead. Oliver is restored to his benefactor who, as it turns out, is his own grandfather.
Director and Choreographer: Marilyn McPherson
Director: Janet Huckle
Musical Director: Holly Stout
Childrens’ Choreographer: Gloria Aguado
CAST in order of appearance
| Oliver | Alex Johnston (Nov 14/16 matinee/18) |
| Edward Parker (Nov 15/16/17/18 matinee) | |
| Mr Bumble | Stephen Roe |
| Widow Corney | Sylvia Carter |
| Mr Sowerberry | Neil Catton |
| Charlotte | Kate Anastasi |
| Noah Claypole | Joseph Varley |
| Artful Dodger | Jack Saunders (Nov 14/16 matinee/18) |
| Donal McCauley (Nov 15/16/17/18 matinee) | |
| Fagin | Denzil Edwards |
| Nancy | Sharon Reece |
| Bet | Kate Englefield (Nov 14/16 matinee/18) |
| Sammy-Jo Ruffell (Nov 15/16/17/18 matinee) | |
| Mr Brownlow | Paul Sadler |
| Bill Sykes | Andy Blacksell |
| Mrs Bedwin | Cindy Elson |
| Dr Grimwig | John Huckle |
| Sally | Anne Crockford |
| Annie | Dianne Norton |
| LADIES OF THE CHORUS | Rachel Aubrey, Vanessa Aves, Gill Birchall, Jule-Anne Elliott, Kate Henderson, Bea Higham, Jane Huchinson, Alice Hudson, Catherine Huguet, Myra Keen, Marilyn McPherson, Hayley meyhen, Dominique Norbrook, Ingrid Palm, Linda Pullinger, Marion Stewart, Penny Stone, Linda Sutch, Margaret Sweeney, Claire Thompson, Kathryn Thompson. |
| GENTLEMEN OF THE CHORUS | Mark Acuna, Peter Bagwell, Geoff Greensmith, Kristian Lopez, Spencer Mitchell, Des Muller, Hamish Norbrook, Steve Wotton |