Stirling Player's Oliver!

REVIEW: Stirling PlayerÂ’s Production of Oliver!
Stirling Theatre, Morris Place, Innaloo

Director: Janet Brandwood
Musical Director: Robin Silver
Choreographer: Jan Coe


I have been meaning to see this production of Oliver as who could resist? Lionel Bart had truly done justice to DickensÂ’ Novel. IÂ’ve always appreciated the music from Oliver and can only hope that the portrayals of it, whether Amateur or Professional (what does it matter?) do as must justice to his work. I also noticed that Stirling Players chose to go with the 1960Â’s Theatre version rather than manipulating the music with constant modern revisals which have taken place over the yearsÂ…now particularly having been handled under the care of Sir Cameron Mackintosh, who in the new touring Lyric Theatre Production, is sure to make many. ItÂ’s good to see audiences taken back to the original!


GENERAL COMMENTS:

* I adored the set!! I did wonder “how” they were going to accomplish that classical London setting which Cameron Mackintosh has likened to magnificent in scale.
Well, they certainly did it and conserved space quite cleverly. What great ideas! My applause goes out to the designers, I was very impressed. The only thing I would say was that the appearances of the backstage crew, although dressed in costume, was at times off-putting.
* Was very much reminiscent of the old school play but to a larger scale. (though not that much larger)
* The costumes were great and it looked like a great deal of work had gone into making the musical come to life- as was displayed by Jan Coe (?) just outside the theatre entrance in the drawings of costume ideas.
* I would have hoped for more energy, particularly from the children in many of the scenes. Now, I am not trying to condemn their efforts because at times- they were as wonderful as children can be. The children were fine; beautiful and with potential – they just required better direction and encouragement. At times they looked so unenthused, you could really tell that every move they made in the choreography looked too unrealistic and unnatural.
* The adult cast worked well to encourage the children; was both touching and successful interaction.
* Would have liked a live accompanist in the house because the pre-recorded tracks were at times dull and unrealistic.
* I was not convinced by the choreography a lot of the time.
* I thought generally, the cast did a wonderful job with the English/cockney accents. Well done! This was realistic to a tea!


PRINCIPLE CAST: ( I will do as many as I can)

“Oliver” – played by Sam Perry

Well done Sam! He had a wonderful, sweet and honest disposition required for the part of Oliver. He also looked the part, sang the part beautifully and carried off the accent generally well. Good reaction to some situations and to the actions of other characters. He showed incredible strength and sentimentality in the role and gave off a beautiful singing voice. Quite a versatile range for a young boy, particularly in the higher register. With years and training, he will be a success in later years. Well done!


“ Fagin” – played by Lee Perry

Like father like son eh? What a magnificent job he did! He had the singing, presentation, acting and wit to match that of the character. He certainly pulled the accent and mannerisms off well! He reacted well to other characters and took the cast of children under his wing, as Fagin would do for his boys. I could see him play Fagin in a professional production.


“The Artful Dodger”- played by Samuel Parry

Well played. I would like to have seen a little more energy as at times he was very quiet. Particularly in singing, he needed to sound out his words more so that every beat of the story comes through but then again- this all comes down to the level of vocal coaching and direction he is given. Good presentation and use of the Cockney accent. He also presented the intelligence and cunningness of the character. Dodger is only a boy but he shows much more maturity and intelligence than the others. Good work.


“Nancy” - played Catriona Coe

Brilliant acting and accent. The character of Nancy is one that is very noble and kind, but so misused by the world, particularly by Bill Sykes. That shone through in Catriona’s portrayal of Nancy. The only thing I would really say is that her vocal abilities were not equal to that of her acting. A lot of Nancy’s numbers are chesty belt numbers and it is really a requirement of the actress to live up to this because a lot of Nancy’s character shines through in what she is singing, I think this particularly in numbers such as “ As Long As He Needs Me” . Catriona struggled at times to carry these tunes off, substituting what would have suited more a belt, with a whispery sound, sounding more like talk. But perhaps this is the interpretation she has given. What she lacked in voice, she made up with brilliant acting. A wonderful job, particularly the acting in the Reprise of “It’s a Fine Life”.



“Bill Sykes” – played by Martin Lindsay

He definitely had the intimidating voice for it. He could have done without the heavy make-up though, it was very distracting and humorous at times. He carried the character off well in both acting and vocal rendition. I feel that he also brought out the darkness and unpredictability of the character, without which there could be no Bill Sykes. Good interaction with Nancy and Fagin.


“Mr Bumble” – played by Graham Burton

At times a very solemn character, particularly when Oliver exclaims ‘Please Sir…’. Graham carried this out well with the presentation to match. I particularly enjoyed
the number “Boy For Sale”, which displayed the at times, solemness of the character. But there is a lighter, more humorous, even if indignant side to Bumble as shown in “I Shall Scream” and other dramatic scenes, especially with Mrs Corney….then after known as Mrs Bumble. I have to say that Graham worked well with the other actors, particularly
Mrs Corney, Oliver and Mr Brownlow in some scenes. Good work!


“Widow Corney” – played by Karin Staflund

Great voice, dramatics and presentation to match! She actually sounded very much like the 1994 London Palladium CD Cast Recording, which is not a bad thing at all! Well played and worked well with Mr Bumble. I particularly liked the numbers “Oliver” and
of course “ I Shall Scream”, which was done very well. I don’t see why she couldn’t make it to Broadway with this character…well played and sung!


“Mr Sowerberry” – played by Graham Cole

I liked this interpretation! Sung as well as played! Graham Cole was also very weary of the audience, which is great because half the time you end up seeing the side of actorsÂ’ faces. A great match with Josephine Bartley, who played Mrs Sowerberry.


“Mrs Sowerberry” – played by Josephine Bartley

Great dramatics and accent, though vocally not as strong. But what you miss out in the singing you can make up with in dramatics and presentation and she sure did this. Worked well particularly with Mr Sowerberry and Oliver.


“Noah Claypole” – played by Jeff Watkins

Some very good acting here. Realistic accent too. I like the prudish disposition that he carried out, which made the character successful. Very good interaction with the character Oliver.


“ Mr Brownlow” - played by Alan Green

A very noble character, as was portrayed in this interpretation. I appreciated the higher class English accent, which is a change from the cockney, which came through. My favourite scenes had to have been the end scene when reunited with Oliver and also
with Nancy in the reprise of “As Long As He Needs Me”. The honourable qualities of the character shone through. Worked well with young Oliver.


“Mrs Bedwin” – Paddy Gorst

I liked her portrayal. It was very sweet. The scene where she was nursing Oliver back to health and singing the Reprise of “Where is Love” was very touching and sentimental. Twas a great scene at the end when she was reunited with Oliver; it almost looked as if Gorst and Perry, were not acting. Beautifully played.


“Old Sally” – Claudette Ridou

A small but memorable role. For some reason reminded me of a Mrs Melanie Hamilton from one of the scenes in “Gone with the Wind”…..Great work.


I apologise for not having the time and strength to review all of the characters. Brilliant work everybody! I truly enjoyed the show!
Again I will try to come back and review the scenes in the show when I have time. Congratulations to Janet Brandwood and all those in Stirling Players who brought this fantastic musical to life. I hope to see your work again sometime soon. Well done!!




The Review Master