OLIVER!
A Note on the Production
Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist is a dark and angry tale of youth abused and love betrayed.
Written out of his fury at the conditions he had both witnessed and experienced through his own
youth, marked by bankruptcy and deprivation, the novel was intended as a savage indictment of a
society that forced children into criminality to avoid starvation, and treated the dispossessed as little
better than animals: not a happy read.
It is nothing short of remarkable, then, that in 1960 a little known songwriter and performer called
Lionel Bart (at that time a member of Joan Littlewood’s ground-breaking Theatre Workshop group)
chose Oliver Twist as the subject for a musical. It is not an obvious choice, and it is still hard to
understand quite why and how it works. Everything about it – from Fagin extolling the benefits of a
life of crime, to Nancy protesting her love for a violent thug, to the impossible denouement which
hangs on a chance likeness in a stolen locket, to a comedic funeral parlour scene which involves not
one but two people falling into an open coffin – is unexpected, unconventional, unlikely and
bizarrely joyous.
The stage show is perennially
popular and the first performance
launched the careers of a number
of significant performers including Ron Moody (Fagin),
Barry Humphries (Mr Sowerberry) and Phil Collins (the Artful
Dodger). Oliver! has played so often and to such acclaim and
delight that every role – even that of the street sellers and
urchins – represents a considerable challenge for
Redland High’s young performers. But it is a challenge that
they have, as always, met with energy, enthusiasm and aplomb.
In our production we have forged a link between Bart’s exuberant musical and Dickens’ dour moral tale.
The design deliberately references the Victorian era in which the tale is set, rather than the 60s when the
musical was written, although the modern era does peek through. In spite of its fluffy and apparently
frivolous exterior, this is a show with real heart, and our production reflects our respect for the tale of
Mr Dickens, the musical of Mr Bart and is driven by the very real heart that our own magnificent girls bring
to everything they do.
An amateur performance produced in arrangement with, and the music and dialogue material furnished by
MusicScope, 75 Furnival Street, Crewe, Cheshire, CW2 7LH, England and Stage Musical Ltd of New York.
OLIVER!
The Cast
Oliver, a poor orphan child
-
Miss Roisin Craney
Fagin, an old rascal
-
Miss Lily Garbutt
Nancy, a fallen woman
-
Miss Amy Kennedy
Bill Sykes, a notorious villain
-
Miss Rebekah Coates
Bet, a saucy wench
-
Miss Francesca Cheek
Mr. Bumble, the Workhouse keeper
-
Miss Jessie Nixon
The Widow Corney, an avaricious harridan
-
Miss Georgina Graham-Williams
Mr. Sowerberry, the undertaker
-
Miss Anna Garcia
Mrs. Sowerberry, his wife
-
Miss Rosie Hunter
Charlotte, their daughter
-
Miss Isobel Paterson
Noah Claypole, the undertaker’s boy
-
Miss Eleri Davies
Mr. Brownlow, a kindly gentleman of means
-
Miss Pollyanna Wardrop
Mrs. Bedwin, his Maid-of-all-Work
-
Miss Amy Adair
Dr. Grimwig, a man of medicine and a charlatan
-
Miss Philippa Hope
Old Sally, a vagrant and lost soul
-
Miss Georgia Morris
The Artful Dodger, a mischievous youth
-
Miss Molly Cheesley
Charley Bates, a cruel and spiteful boy
-
Miss Demetra Papa-Adams
Fagin’s Gang
A group of street urchins, beggars and thieves
Emily Cazalet
Ellen Ferguson
Anna Freudenstein
Lily Gray
Rosie Hunter
Leah Kurien
Philippa Morgan
Olivia Platt
Mica Sutherland
‘Chorus: Mrs Bateson’s assorted girls of prodigious talent.
Singers, dancers, actors of note and diverse tricks
‘Who Will Buy’ Soloists
Alice Bird (Rose Seller)
Isabella Stone (Strawberry Seller)
Francesca Millar (Milkmaid)
Megan Matthews (Knife Grinder )
Yasmina Abdelrazik
Lily Baron
Jessie Belcher
Yvonne Bentley
Maya Coleborn
Ellie Davis
Anna Garcia
Isobelle Dennis-Raine
Lia Ekaney
Eleanor Hogg
Alice Holder
Frances McGirr
Mirna Moaz
Emily Pearson
Christie Thorn
Clarissa Turner
Mollie Virgo
And the ethereal spirit of Agnes Brownlow
Miss Jasmine Griffiths
Orchestra
Musical Director
Stephanie Rowlands
Assistant Musical Director
Steve Daykin
Violin I
Shero Zhang
Tim Harrison
Violin II
Rebecca Chan
Rachel Whitworth
Violas
Grace Sodzi
Lynne McCabe
‘Cello
George McCarthy
Double Bass
Alastair Stewart
Piano
Steve Daykin
Flute
Michelle Krawiec
Clarinet
Mary Barrett
Cornet
Charlie Barker
Wardrobe
Wardrobe Mistress
Lesley Hunt
Olivia Cheek
Costume Design (principal characters)
Amy Adair
Costume Manufacturing and Fitting
Vaishali Raval
Rebecca Dufty
Jemima Hughes
Rhea Warner
Celia Hodes
Summer Brown
Isabelle Eaton
Sian Gilling
Antonia Antonio
Katie Hayward
Minnie Turnbull Whatmore
Matilda Johnstone Megan Davies
OLIVER!
Hair and Make-up
Co-ordinator
Cheryl Douglas
Team
Natalie Heffner
Teresa Asiain Escobar
Lucy Slade
Antonia Antonio
Penny Antonio
Harriet Boley
Amy Jethwa
Miriam Billaud Feragen
Backstage
Set design and Construction
Rachel Clapp
Simon Coleborn
Dave Edwards
John Icke
Sarah Hunter
Molly Berry
Sylvia Morris
Stephanie Fisher
Ella Ward Parsons Elena Trump
Manana Koplatadze Amy Kennedy
Anna Garcia
Anna Freudenstein Francesca Cheek
Roumeisa Khalil
Kelsey Iles
Eleanor Redman
Aaliyah Robinson
Isobel Toole
Zaynab Arshad
Stage Management Cheryl Douglas
Bridie Paton
Stage Crew
Jessica Rees
Zaynab Arshad
Rhea Warner
Rochelle Douglas
Roumeisa Khalil
Sian Gilling
Flora Jetha
Lighting and Sound
Direction and design Mike Sene
Crew
Eman Al-Suood
Raisa Daya
Alice Morris
Deborah Waine
Heather Kent
Sarah Box
Faye Atkin
Paula Buxton-Appleford
Anna Adams
Patsy Hamilton
Laura Dickson
Sharon Benton
Janet Neil
Julie Owens-Powell
Marketing
Box Office
Front of House
Artwork
Hazel Martin
Photography
Jenny Wood
Programme
Jackie Gale
Jessica Portch
Direction
Choreography
Jasmine Griffiths
Rachel Williams
Direction
Sarah McCormack Rachel Williams
Production
Sarah McCormack
Stephanie Rowlands
June Walker
Jane Anstee
The Cast and Crew of Oliver! would like to thank:
The visiting vocal and instrumental teachers, who have helped prepare the girls for the performance.
Mrs Gillian Howson and the Friends of Redland High School for organising the interval refreshments.
Kevin Harris, Richard Hutton, Steve Pope and Faye Atkin for opening up the school for us during our many,
lengthy evening and weekend rehearsals.
Lisa McLaughlin and the PE Department for allowing us to occupy the School Gymnasium.
June Walker for her help with the programme and tickets.
Sharon Benton and Paula Buxton-Appleford for the organisation of the feeder and
Junior School matinee performance.
Jane Anstee for organising the Christmas Cake raffle, and the suppliers of cakes: Clare Rodliffe, Rebekah Coates,
Sue Belfield, Alice Hawker and Jane Anstee. Also Francesca Cheek for her assistance.
Miss Tegan Smith who originally played the role of Mr Sowerberry and was instrumental
In creating the character. She is unfortunately indisposed and unable to make the show,
but we miss her and hope she will Be Back Soon.
Clare Rodliffe for her practical assistance and moral support.
Mrs Caroline Bateson and Mrs Perdita Davidson for their unstinting support and encouragement.
Redland High School for Girls Bristol BS6 7EF
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