Oliver
Mon, 27 Apr 2009, 09:47 amWilliam Evans8 posts in thread
Oliver
Mon, 27 Apr 2009, 09:47 amI went to see this production on the Sunday matinee.
I very much enjoyed the production, In particular I felt that the stage setting of Koorlingy arts centre gave us theatre lovers a chance to get up close and personal with the actors, and immerse ourselves in the show. (For those that have never been there the stage is very low to the ground with the audience seating staggered upwards looking down over the set)
The set & lighting were a complex design but the crew seemed to work the props to perfection. Swift set changes allowed the story to flow. However I could hear some noise from props coming back stage which sometimes took away from the performers on the stage.
Costumes - were appropriate and looked good.
Sound was good - I was impressed that not all performers need to use microphones. As sometimes this was a little scratchy but overall very well done. It allowed us to hear the softer voices of the children lead characters. I think the music was live. We could not see a pianist however I am sure this was played live and was a credit to the person playing.
The cast was quite strong as an ensemble; Highlights were the 2 children leads. As they both carried off their roles beautifully for such young children. Also Chantal who played Nancy had a strong singing voice. Another highlight was Jon Lambert who played Fagin and also the character that played Bill Sikes fufilled the role as the villian very well.
Overall, a very entertaining, accomplished and thought-provoking performance - do head to Kwinana to catch the last three shows of Oliver even if it is to see the new talent that is coming up through the ranks.
I also saw the Sunday
Mon, 27 Apr 2009, 03:43 pmWalter Plinge
I also saw the Sunday Matinee show.
I was overwhelmed by the professionalism of the show as me too had an expectation that the show would be less that professional in its venue. I too found the theatre to be a great place to stage such a performance.
I sat down to the show which started a little late and the audience began to get a little chatty. Today their seemed to be a number of small children in the audience which i guess one would expect for a childrens show and since it was on during the day.
The first number food glorious food was performed with great gust. The children entered from around the theatre which was a great way to start as you did not expect them to come from here.
Bumble today had a little trouble with his voice, which you could hear every now and then however he managed to still sing his songs with gusto and loved the "I shall scream song".
Oliver today was performed by "Tayla Spence". It is ashame that it was a girl performing but I do realise it is hard to find a young boy who can sing the songs and look angelic. She did a good job of making us believe she was a boy. This young lady managed to drawn the audience into Oliver and make me believe that she was truly an Orphan. Her first song "Where is love" made me believe she was really alone and upset. I think she may have even shed a tear which is a huge feat for such a young child.
We were then introduced to the next young actor being that Of "Ashley Tunbridge" this young boy really made the character of Dodger. His voice, appearance his charisma. Well done to this child.
In walks Fagin. How can we go past such a lovely part. Jon took on this role with passion and really had a lovely way with the children, which you could tell by the way they interacted with him on the stage.
The children who were in this scene were able to perform for the whole time even if the focus was not on them. They kept acting the whole time.
The show was staged and pieced together beautifully with the sets reflecting the true professionalism of the show.
Another character that I cannot go past is Sikes. Peter took on the role and lead me and alot of the front row of the audience to believe he really was a villian. I enjoyed watching people jump as he sang his song.
Great show, great props, great cast, great lighting.
Well done to all..