Oliver

Well Lionel Bart’s Oliver directed by Cat Baxter and performed at the Koorliny arts centre was a interesting production to watch. As a lover of all things theatre entering the auditorium for the first time I had a small surprise, (to tell you the truth I did arrive at the venue with a slight stigma about the area and stories I had heard about Kwinana’s intermit seating arrangement) so I was a bit apprehensive about how they would pull of this type of production in such a small space. But as I entered the space It was a lot larger than what I had expected (later I found out there was two theatres and this was the larger of the two) but I digress. Once entering the theatre I was greeted with a pre set stage of the work house which wet my appetite for the performance, viewing what was onstage I slowly began to see if I could pick how they were going to do their scene changes and try to envisage what effects they would use, I always do this, it’s just a natural habit, but one thing I must say that did catch my eye is when I looked up into the lighting truss I was extremely impressed with the lighting plan, you don’t normally see that many lights rigged in such a conformed way in amateur theatre, so this gave me an slight jolt of excitement as to this show might actually be a quality production. The show started with an abundance of energy, the first song food glorious food an ever classic of Oliver, was exciting and helped build the suspense of the production. I would have to say the fist person to take my eye was Mr Bumble (David Nelson) he was a delight to watch on stage I still have not quite fingered out if he actually has an accent or was it staged, it was a tuff one to pick so well done, I’m still scratching my head, Widow Corney (Marion Younge) was a laugh I did enjoy her in “I shall scream!” especially the head in the chest moment it’s good to see you not a shy lady, or that song may have lost it’s pizzaz! The young girl who played Oliver “Elouise Kirk” was such a delight to watch on stage, she really managed to capture the humbleness of Oliver, even though she must have done these scenes over and over again, she managed to make us feel like she was really experiencing and meeting all these strange situations and characters for the first time. Next up we had the Artful dodger “Ashlea Tunbridge” i say have you never seen a Toff?, the artful dodger in this production was an extreme delight, watching this young man on stage was one of inspiration and possibilities, his performance was easily one of my favorites for the entire show, I believe this young man will definitely go far, although I would say that my only slight bit of constructive criticism would be he did look a little uncomfortable dancing and signing, now dodger if you read this don’t take it personally it just my perspective, while you said your lines you were extremely fluid and your movement was great but as soon as the music started you seemed to tense up and become quite stiff and lost eye contact with the audience this was a slight shame as I wanted to see the Dodger, dodge and weave, but your performance was still one of greatness and I have a feeling, along with all the little old ladies who were sitting in front of me”, that the young boy playing the artful dodger is going to do some great things.” So I will be keeping my eye out. Well the next character was one that did seem to get the audience talking the ever classic Fagin (John Lambert) well I must say I have seen many different versions of Oliver Recently and have scene many a Fagin fail quite dismally, but I am extremely happy to say on this occasion it certainly was not the case, while he was no Ron Moody (the actor who played Fagin in the movie), you were Fagin! The moment he stepped onto the stage there seemed to be a lift of energy, not only on the stage but in the audience, after his first line the sound of programs being flipped through was quite a noise, I would say that you had an extremely brilliant characterization of Fagin although at times I felt like maybe a small bit of Johnny Depp’s, Captain Jack Sparrow was oozing out here and there, added was also the report between Fagin and the children there seemed to be just a natural bond on stage that just added to the scenes all in all a very rounded performance. But who could forget the ever scary and menacing Bill Sikes (Peter Carr) his portrayal of Bill Sikes was that of intensity and strength, the Argument between Bill, Nancy and Fagin was one that excited me and scared me also well done to Nancy (Janine Bramlle) you managed to create such a warm and caring character that was a delight to watch on stage. Well done to the stage crew and technical team, the lighting at the end of the day was extremely effective and really helped make the scenes atmosphere be felt by the audience, and the sets were extremely well conceived and constructed and used to what I felt was their full functional potential, personally I would like to say thank you to Cat Baxter for brining such a fantastic production to life and I have enjoyed your vision you brought to the stage, I must admit I can’t wait to see what you come out with next.. Keep up the good work