"Oliver"

Nottingham Arts Theatre.

Based on the Dickens novel, "Oliver Twist", for anyone who has never seen this musical, here's a quick summary of this wonderful Lionel Bart musical adaptation.

Oliver Twist navigates London’s underworld of theft and violence, searching for a home, a family, and - most importantly - for love. When Oliver is picked up on the street by a boy named the Artful Dodger, he is welcomed into a gang of child pickpockets led by the conniving, but charismatic, Fagin. When Oliver is falsely accused of a theft he didn’t commit, he is rescued by a kind and wealthy gentleman, to the dismay of Fagin’s violent sidekick, Bill Sikes. Caught in the middle is the warm-hearted Nancy, who is trapped under Bill’s thumb, but desperate to help Oliver, with tragic results.

I really couldn't wait to get out of the Arts Theatre tonight. Why? you say when I love the theatre so much! Well, I just had to get home to put everything that I was thinking about this production online, so prepare yourself, dear reader for a bit of a long one!

Oliver is played by Liam Brown. This is Liam's second show, having previouisly played Baby John in last year's "West Side Story". I knew that Liam wasn't feeling his best due to some infection that he had picked up over the weekend, but this infection did nothing to impede this young man's singing voice. I heard not one bad note from Liam, so he has clearly been coached on how to sing through what he has picked up.

Everything you'd expect to see and hear and feel about Oliver Twist is what was delivered by young Liam. To see this young actor on stage, you'd believe that he is a lot younger than Dodger, as the film depicts, but Liam is a year older than Jamie who plays Dodger and towers over him stature wise. This is no bad thing because Liam, unless he has a big growth spurt, will be able to play younger parts for a few years, and still have the maturity in acting that he has now. His voice is powerful, even through this infection, and I reckon that when his voice breaks, his vocals are going to be even more formidable.

Dodger is played by Jamie Adlam who is an incredibly passionate young actor. He is also an incredibly intuitive actor who looks very at ease on stage and commands it. As the leader of the youngsters in Fagin's gang, you can feel, as well as see the authority he has in his role. Another cracking singing voice, which has a great deal of power behind it. He sings accurately with a Cockney accent as well, which is not easy, but Jamie made it sound easy. A lovely physical role which he also took in his stride.

Fagin is played by Shantanu Bhumbra. There are a few character roles that you need to get into the skin of that character and Fagin is one of them where you need to get the physicality right. Shan did the role proud with his physicality and made you think that he was so much older than Shan's tender years. There are several songs in this musical that aren't the easiest to phrase and deliver, like "Reviewing The Situation", but Shan got the phrasing and pace spot on.

There was just one small area that niggled me and that was the accent. Some actors are great at accents, some aren't and sounding Jewish is not one of the easiest. Fagin was Cockney in this production, and whether that was a decision made to make sure that a Jewish brogue didn't wander too much, I'm not sure. Maybe I am just used to hearing Fagin with another accent. That said, Shan smashed the whole Fagin personality.

Abby Wells plays Nancy and what a role for any woman to play on stage. There is the fun and cheeky nancy and then there is the string willed Nancy, and then there is the Nancy that shows her vulnerability, especially when around Bill Sikes. Abby created every one of these characteristics perfectly. I had prepared myself for "the tingles" when she started sing "As Long As He Needs Me", but almost throughout the whole song, as well as the reprise, the tingles started and every hair stood up on my arms and nech. Just stunning as well as powerful vocals to match the brilliant characterisation of Nancy.

JJ Gill is Bill Sikes, one of the darkest characters that I've seen JJ play. JJ seems to morph into a character, and evil and nastiness just seemed to ooze from every pore of this character. Again I talk about physicality, and this is a very physical role; tossing Nancy, Fagin and Oliver aside like one of Fagin's hankies, and you could almost feel Sikes' hand around Nancy's neck near the end. JJ is a tall, well built man and in Sikes, he looks even taller and statuesque as he towers over his minions. Thankfully JJ is one of the nicest men you could hope to meet away from the stage, which means that playing Sikes gives JJ great pleasure to channel as a baddie.

Mr Bumble is played by Bertie Black. Now here's an actor who I know exactly what to expect from him. I know that I will hear every word of the script and the lyrics of the songs because Bertie has excellent projection of his voice. He's also a wonderful comedy actor, so Bumble is perfect for his comedic talents. It's been about fourteen years since Bertie last played Bumble, but back then he had to felt tip/marker pen the sideburns on. No need for that here as he can grow his own.

Lyndsey Jaycock plays Mrs Corney, and I love the comedy connections and chemistry that Bumble has with this character. Lindsey matched Bertie every step of the way and their duet was wonderful with great timing. When Bumble is pompous, Mrs Corney knows just how to burst that pompous bubble.

Sam Howard is Mr Sowerberry, the Funeral Director who buys Oliver from Bumble. He really looked the part and I loved his drunken scenes. I was looking forward to a Cockney twang but didn't get one. Not a problem because Mrs Sowerberry delivered that twang for me.

Pippa Ward plays Mrs Sowerberry, and what a lovely rough Cockney sound emitted from Pippa, and that in itself embodied the character of the Funerla Director's wife for me.

Charlotte Sowerberry, their daughter, is played by Scarlet Coleman-Smith. Another role that involved physicality as she tries to free her beau, Noah Claypole from Oliver's angry rage.

Noah Claypole is played by Jonathan Jaycock. I hadn't realised how tall this young man is, so I imagine Liam had great fun launching himself onto Jonathan's back during Claypole's bullying and taunting of young Twist. I also imagine that Jonathan had great fun with the taunting and provoking. It certainly looked that way from where I was sitting.

Mr Brownlow, the gentleman who saves Oliver and makes a discovery that Long Lost family would nave been proud of, is played by Michael Coles. Lovely gentle acting befitting of a gentleman, but maybe a bit more emotion needed when locating Nancy at midnight on the bridge. Great beard though, something that I have never ever been able to achieve.

Mrs Bedwin, Brownlow's maid, is played by Emily Townsend. Only a supporting role but looked the part and played that part perfectly.

Olivia-Rose Bonham plays Bet. Her talents in the dance sphere is highlighted and I know that Olivia-Rose has an excellent voice on her as well. Not a massive part here but a noticable part, and Olivoa-Rose always delivers a smooth performance.

Charley Bates is played by Dylan Whistance, and this is Dylan's musical theatre debut. Way to go Dylan. He is cheeky, which is just what the role of Charley needs, so for me Dylan straight away won me over. Capitalise on this debut Dylan as I can't wait to see what role you take next because you looked so at ease on stage.

Elizabeth Kenny plays Nipper, and yet another young actor who I've seen before and have seen her journey. A really cute performance which, by the looks of it was enjoyed by not only the audience, but by Elizabeth herself.

Mark Russell plays Mr Grimwig, the doctor who has been summoned by Mr Brownlow. Wonderfully eccentric character, played brilliantly by Mark.

The part of Old Sally is shared by two newcomers, Alison Russell and Esther Coleman-Smith. Not sure which one I got to see as her face was covered, but I was loving the frailness of the performance and the dying scene, just before the vital news was delivered about Oliver's history. Now you've broken that debut duck, let's see what else you're going to play next, and more than likely a bigger role.

Nancy's Girls are played by Hermione Cumbers, Sophie Benner and Olivia Bonham.

The adult ensemble is made up of Barry Hobbs, James Fleming, Roy Smith, Bianca Cavalcanti, Isobel Munden, Nicole Spilsbury and Payash Raslan.

The Children's ensemble are made up of Coen Thurlby, Erin Mills, Evie Jamieson, Freya Barks, Isobela Wiley, Isla Stevens, Mia Jacks, Orla Donoghue, Rhea Parker and Malikea Smith.

Fagin's Gang are made up of Ana-Lucia Ward-Gonzalez, Logan Cirdall, Elizabeth, Miley Brown, Millie Thompson, Patrick Brannigan, Tilly Thompson, Wyatt Thurlby, Neveah Jouhal and Niamh Brown.

Bullseye, who is Bill Sikes' dog, is played by either Ernie or Sykes, depending on which day you see the show. Ernie was top dog on my visit and he looked as if he was enjoying his debut because his tail did not stop wagging. They say never work with kids or animals, well that adage is not true here because both performed excellently well. Even Ernie's barking was not out of place as he seemed to be protecting his master in all the right parts. He even took well to the stage make up. Go see the show to see what I mean.

Kelvin Towes is the Musical Director. Kelvin is a new-ish name to me, but looking at his body of work, I can say that I've experienced his work previously and not really acknowledged his talents. Maybe it's that I love this musical so much that I really took notice, and this cast has obviously taken notice of what Kelvin has taight them.

The soundtrack for "Oliver" has so many well known songs that everyone will know. "As Long As He Needs Me", "Reviewing the Situation", "Oom Pah Pah", "Food Glorious Food", "Where Is Love", "Pick A Pocket Or Two", "I'd Do Anything", "Be Back Soon", "Consider Yourself", "Who Will Buy" and of course the title song.

The show is choreographed by Amy Rogers-Gee, and there is some amazing choreography here. Choreography that looks as if it were easy to perform, which proves to me that the cast have worked very hard to make it look so easy.

Director for "Oliver" is Marie Rogers, so I knew that this was going to be a smash before I even left home. Great pace and you can tell that she has instilled characterisation into all of these actors and they have listened to Marie's wealth of theatrical knowledge. Using the whole stage as well as the auditorium for entrances and exits worked really well, and kept you on your toes.

The set is what hits you right away as soon as you walk into the auditorium. It fills the stage from top to bottom and from left to right. Incorporating Fagin's hideout, the bridge, the workhouse, the funeral directors and Brownlow's home, as well as the streets of London. The set is professional and acquired from UK Productions.

Lighting design for this show is by Oliver Read. One word. Spectacular!

Sound design is by Jonathan Scott and apart from one or two missed mic cues, everything ran very smoothly and sounded wonderful.

Everything about this production screams professionalism; you certainly get your money's worth with songs and talent, as well as bundles of cuteness from a few of those little tikes.

"Oliver" is playing at The Nottingham Arts Theatre until Saturday 25 February.