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Consider yourself well entertained by Oliver!




Jack Trippett as Oliver. Sam Barnard also played the role during the productions.
Jack Trippett as Oliver. Sam Barnard also played the role during the productions.

Please sir I want some more... of the brilliant entertainment that was dished up by Newark Amateur Operatic Society in its production of Oliver!

It is the fourth time the society has chosen the well-loved Lionel Bart musical — and little wonder.

The great show, which opened on Tuesday, is full of fast-moving choreography under the excellent direction of Natasha Logan and loads of memorable songs with an orchestra in the safe hands of musical director Andy Raine.

The rags-to-riches story takes the orphaned Oliver (played for alternate shows by Sam Barnard and Jack Trippett) from the grim workhouse, where he dares to ask for more food, to the equally grim funeral parlour where he finds himself in trouble once more.

He runs away and finds a friend in the amiable, cheeky-chappy, top-hatted Artful Dodger (a role also shared on alternate nights, by Tommy-Lee Storr and Cody Harrison) and is welcomed into Fagin’s gang of nimble-fingered pickpockets.

It is not long before Oliver is in trouble again and there is some way to go before he finds a happy ending.

Pete Merrick is perfect as the pompous beadle of the workhouse, Mr Bumble.

Widow Corney (Kate Fenns) and Mr Bumble (Peter Merrick).
Widow Corney (Kate Fenns) and Mr Bumble (Peter Merrick).

His comic flirting and then feuding with Widow Corney, played by the equally-good Kate Fenn, is brilliant. They are simply magic in their comic number I Shall Scream.

Society regular Jo Dewberry is ideal as the spirited Nancy, who lets her head rule her heart.

Nancy (Jo Dewberry) sings one of her big numbers.
Nancy (Jo Dewberry) sings one of her big numbers.

She looks the part, can belt out her big numbers — As Long As He Needs Me was divine — and she can dance as well.

Excellent too is Lyndon Warnsby as the sinister villain, Bill Sikes, accompanied by well-behaved English bull terrier Ollie as his loyal sidekick Bull’s Eye.

Lyndon Warnsby as Bill Sikes.
Lyndon Warnsby as Bill Sikes.

Lyndon’s solo spot — My Name — set the scene and could not be faulted.

Justin Day makes a great Fagin in his oversized coat.

His comic timing is spot-on as he gleefully takes the young Oliver under his crooked wing and encourages him to Pick A Pocket Or Two.

Fagin (Justin Day) lectures Oliver (Jack Trippett).
Fagin (Justin Day) lectures Oliver (Jack Trippett).

Justin’s highlight is the wonderful Reviewing The Situation, with a stunning violin solo by Sarah Bongiovanni, as he agnonises over the way forward — should it be a life of crime or should he go for respectability?

The show gives plenty of opportunity for youngsters to show what they can do.

THE main cast in the production of Oliver! which is being staged by Newark Amateur Operatic Society at the Palace Theatre, Newark, this week.
THE main cast in the production of Oliver! which is being staged by Newark Amateur Operatic Society at the Palace Theatre, Newark, this week.

It was good to see such so much promise from the team of boys who opened the show with Food Glorious Food in the workhouse.

There was plenty of talent too from The Company — their raucous Oom-Pah-Pah was spot-on, as too was the high-stepping Consider Yourself and melodic Who Will Buy?

The roles of Oliver (Jack Trippett) left and Artful Dodger (Tommy-Lee Storr) were shared during the productions with Sam Barnard and Cody Harrison, respectively.
The roles of Oliver (Jack Trippett) left and Artful Dodger (Tommy-Lee Storr) were shared during the productions with Sam Barnard and Cody Harrison, respectively.

Director Mike Follen is to be congratulated on yet another fantastic show for the society.

It continues at the Palace Theatre, Newark, until Saturday.

Consider yourself... entertained.



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