"Oliver Twist" Based on the novel by Charles Dickens.

Adapted by Deborah McAndrew.

Derby Theatre.

It is so nice to see the non-musical version of this Charles Dickens classic, especially at this time of year. Well, I say non-musical but this production has a gorgeous soundtrack to it consisting of traditional carols, original songs and folk music, which makes this show feel a little like a Dickensian folk story.

The story, as everybody will know, is of a workhouse boy who is sold as an apprentice to an Undertakers, but after another employee insults Oliver’s dead mother, a fight breaks out and Oliver escapes and is taken under the wing of Fagin, thanks to meeting another young, but streetwise urchin, The Artful Dodger, who with the other boys, teach Oliver how to pick pockets for a living. Oliver also meets Nancy, the live in wife of Bill Sykes, who as we all know is not a nice man. 

I can't remember seeing a production like this as we start with the birth of Oliver, and the death of his mother, and there are a few other scenes that are not quite the same as the musical version, but make for very interesting viewing. Deborah McAndrew's adaptation shows a different side to the story.

Oliver's part is shared by three young actors, and on Tuesday night's performance we saw William Poyser-Alton. Claudia Burton and Eliza Jean-Poxon also take the titular role at various performances.

William is remarkably good and has an incredibly expressive face. When he is being beaten by Bumble, even though there is no actual physical violence, William's reactions to the cane makes you wince. For such a young actor he has so much charisma and stage presence and this young man has a big future in drama, either locally or nationally.

Fagin's Gang, along with William are Ophelie Balkota, Florence Batten, Alice Doherty, India Dorman, Isabelle Naylor, Charlotte Race, Anay Ruparel and Darwin Shaw. There's a different gang for each of the Olivers. Great energy from the young company, and a lot of lovely comic performances as well.

Zach Atkinson plays Noah Claypole, and you may also spot Zach as a Policeman elsewhere in the production, as well as a few other roles, and also plays an instrument. His speech to Oliver when they are first introduced regarding Oliver's Mum was evil enough for anyone to want to give him a slap.

Analiese Emerson Guettinger is Nancy, and such a young looking Nancy for this production. I think that when you're used to seeing the musical version of Nancy, you expect someone who looks older. Analiese's version also shows that she was one of Fagin's gang before Sikes took a liking for her, and hints that she still occasionally "works" for Fagin and Bill, when needed.

Samuel Heron plays both Mr Sowerberry and Mr Brownlow. I don't know why but I was getting Leonard Rossiter vibes from Samuel as Sowerberry, and believe me that is not a bad thing as I was a big fan of Rossiter's body of work. A complete opposite of Mr Brownlow.

April Nerissa Hudson plays both Bet and Charlotte. 

Iris Laverne is the Artful Dodger. It was a bit of a surprise reading that Dodger was to be played by a woman, but Iris really makes you forget that she is playing a role that is usually portrayed by a man. Great fun twist and you very soon forget this and enjoy the crafty antics of Fagin's head boy.

Polly Lister plays Fagin, Mrs Sowerberry as well as well as Old Sally. As with Dodger, you get in your mind that these roles are usually played by men, but what great performances you get in all three roles, plus there are a couple of other parts that you spot Polly playing. The scene where Fagin is examining the jewellery that he has hidden away gives rise to a possible view that Fagin had a real feminine side to him as he lovingly adorned himself with hair slides and jewels, but very quickly put them back in their boxes when he spotted Oliver watching him. 

Michael Mahony is Mr Bumble and this is another stereotypical character dismissal. We always see the Harry Secombe type actor in this role but Michael looks nothing like the typical Bumble. Michael makes the character and the role his own.

Bill Sikes is played by Dan McGarry. Again, another different adaptation of the Sikes we all know and dislike from the film or musical version of Sikes. He is depicted as quite a smart character who is in charge of the gang and how they operate. The violence from Sikes is also done very differently and is a masterclass in timing, but more than that I don't want to give away, because the movement side of these actions, and the production itself is something very impressive.

Katherine Toy plays Widow Corney, Mrs Bedwin and Justice Fang. I loved the comedy in Widow Corney, and her cat, and who'd have guessed that Bumble had a dislike of felines?

The roles of both Agnes and Rose are played by Karen Young.

Directed by Sarah Brigham, assisted by Kai Bools. I keep saying how different this production is from anything that I've seen in the past and that is because of the reimagining of Dickens' story, Deborah's adaptation and the different sides of the characters that we all know highlighted with this production.

Musical Director and Composer is Eliza Waters. The music really creates an atmosphere throughout the production with the musical backing performed live on stage by the actors. The opening of "In the Bleak Mid Winter" really puts you in that Christmas mood and I have always loved traditional folk music so everything about this ticks my every box.

The set was designed by Neil Irish, and with this being a "Made In Derby" production the set is completely designed and created in the theatre. So many different spaces to watch out for and, again very different to other versions of the story. No London Bridge as such and Fagin's den is very different with an entrance and exit being from under the stage. There are parts of the set where the gang can hide away and store things away from prying eyes and a small but neat setting for the Brownlow's home.

Tim Heywood's costume design expertly showed up the class system with the smart suits for the period in complete contrast to Fagin's Gang. The suit that is given to Oliver by Brownlow transforms Oliver's appearance.

Arnim Friess was responsible for the lighting design and Sound Designer was Jim Harbourne. Derby Theatre for me has always had one of the better sound systems and the music to vocal mix sounded beautiful.

Deb Pugh's Movement direction brings an almost fairytale feel to the production, and as I mentioned previously, especially effective with the more violent scenes, not taking away the intent but calming the violence down.

The Puppet Maker and Director was John Barber.

If you're not the pantomime kind of person, then this is the perfect alternative as it is a classic story, the adaptation is brilliant and even if you've seen this story, musical or otherwise, on TV or film before, come and see this version because it gives a completely fresh overhaul. The music makes you feel festive and in need of mulled wine or hot chocolate and marshmallows, followed by a bout of carol singing. Thank goodness I drove to derby as my carol singing didn't take any festive feelings away from anyone else who may have heard me.

"Oliver Twist" is at Derby Theatre until Saturday 3 January.

Photography by Graeme Braidwood.