JULIE LEIBOWITZ
Even the sets and lighting were of high quality, evoking the Victorian London Charles Dickens wrote about so well in the novel Oliver Twist, on which the play is based.
Oliver has delightful music, but the show was stolen by “Consider yourself” by Fagin’s gang, a well-rehearsed and spirited group, who even got their Cockney accents right.
A special shout out to Head of Music, Andrew Edgar, who did a marvelous rendition of Fagin, including “You’ve got to pick a pocket or two” and “Reviewing the situation”. He was also responsible for directing and co-ordinating the production.
Oliver is a unique production, not just for its sublime music, but the way it combines short and long solos and crowd scenes, allowing the entire school to get involved.
The fast-paced action took place both on and off stage, and the children delivered it beautifully. The group songs were well harmonised – “Who will buy?” is worthy of mention here. And the crowd scenes were beautifully choreographed right down to the bows at the end of the production.
Oliver wasn’t just enjoyable for the parents of the children in the play, it was a wonderful production on its own merit.
