Productions - Oliver
Another hit for HAOS
WHAT are the ingredients of entertaining musical theatre? A generous helping of catchy songs to sing on the way home, mixed in with a variety of colourful characters? Equal measure of humour and pathos, atmospheric lighting and slick scene changes? Quality musicians, lively dancers? A generous topping of children and animals finished off with a sprinkling of special effects?
Well, Hereford Amateur Operatic Society's production of Oliver, at the Courtyard this week, has all this. Director Richard Thomas uses contrasts to great effect, moving from dark, dramatic lighting to a stage full of colour.
Oliver, played on alternate nights by Richard Axtell and James Houlbrooke, captures the audience with endearing facial expressions, crisp diction and heart-felt singing.
The Dickensian characters are superbly brought to life with the humour of Bumble and Corney, Paul Morris and Trish Chandler, and the Addams Family style of the Sowerberrys, George Powell and Vicky Beddoes. Nancy, Adele Alexander, provides the perfect victim for the sinister stalkings of the sadistic Bill Sykes, Jonathan Chartres, strangely reminiscent of a young Oliver Reed. Bob Milner gives a stunning performance as the weasely Fagin, ably assisted by the cocky cockney, Dodger - Alex Evans.
Supported by a host of colourful characters, a lively chorus and of course the tail wagging genius of Brutus as Bullseye, 'Oliver' is yet another success for HAOS
