OLIIVER @ IPAC

I too saw last night's performance of Oliver and found it to be severely deficient in so many areas. Firstly, the production intensly lacked direction on Mr. Kernagahn's part. I often felt sorry for the cast members, particular the boy playing Oliver, not out of empathy for the character, but rather for complete lack of direction. During his first number some fifteen minutes into the show (the first time an audience member applauded), the boy had little to do but stand sing the song downstage centre, with one singular hand gesture at the climax (apparently only signified by the movement itself). At other times, I wondered whether the direction was intentionally misleading, such as a chorus member throwing metallic-looking confetti over the group. Another example was the three 'backup singers' who appeared in black, miming singing, pretending to have earpieces in. Overall the show was lacking consideration for the audience. At times I had no idea what was going on because the blocking was so terrible that it blocked the action. I missed the shooting of Bill Sykes entirely, and any dialogue or song lyrics delivered side stage were completely lost. Instead of using live musicians, backing tracks were used. In a city full of talented musicians, there seemed little use for backing tracks. Unless the tracks are incredibly realistic, or achieve some artistic effect unavailable through the use of live musicians, there seems little excuse. In this production, the backing tracks were of sub-poor standard, sounding like the MIDI files downloaded from the internet had been rendered on a Casio keyboard. The music was lifeless, arrangements inconsistent (often with a very annoying melody guide track still plonked out), and too often the tempi were far too slow. The actors were clearly struggling with the timings, and I have no reason to believe that a single person on a piano would not have been infinitely more pleasing to the audience. Perhaps Aaron had difficulty finding one willing to play for him. While the cast were performing to the best of their ability, many of them needed more (any?) guidance in their performance, which ranged from sensitive and convincing (Oliver, Nancy and Fagin), to over-the-top and offensive. Finally, and most importantly, I feel the original source material was treated with little respect. Changes to the script were damaging to the performance, and overall the show's material did not receive the attention it deserved by the creative team. Having worked with Aaron previously, and having been an audience member on several occassions, I am disappointed productions of this quality are continuing to happen from this team. Not only is it disrespectful to the actors and other people involved, it is distressing to the audience, and has the potential to do serious damage to the reputation of local theatre.