A "Glorious" Experience: Oliver! Takes Center Stage

"Please, Sir, I Want Some More!” This single cry from an impoverished young boy with his empty bowl was enough to bring silence to our Hall, and transport us into the dark shadows of Victorian London. It takes a great deal of talent to bring Charles Dickens’ Oliver! to life, but our incredible cast and crew rose to the challenge with heart, soul and a little bit of mischief.

We all know Oliver, the poor, pale, and innocent lad who finds his way in a world of shadows with nothing but his pluck and a longing for home. Charlotte (7⍺) delighted us with her very genuine performance of our titular character, capturing pure longing with Where is Love?. Alongside her, Sophie (9⍺) as the Artful Dodger brought swagger and a mischievous wink to the stage, leading a merry band of pickpockets who Considered Themselves very much at home in Fagin’s den, where Alyssa’s (U6LAN) portrayal of this fatherly yet multifaceted and complex character was made easy. Tegan (11ω) as Nancy brought the house down with As Long As He Needs Me and was supported by the spirited and loyal Bet, played by Izabella (11⍺). 

May (11ω) provided a chilling intensity to the menacing Bill Sikes, a far cry from the unintentional comedic genius of Mr Bumble Evie (11A) and Katherine (11A) as the shrill Widow Corney. We were also treated to the hilarious and ghastly Charlotte (11⍺) and Emily (11⍺) as the macabre Mr and Mrs Sowerberry, who brought a perfectly dark “business" to the undertaker's trade.

Our ingenious DT and Art Departments gave us yet another wonderful set whilst the backstage crew’s seamless transitions and expert following of sound and light cues kept the show on the road. The costume team’s inspired use of Victorian tatters and top hats brought the production together with professional polish, while hair and make-up was perfectly befitting of each character, from the scrubby Oliver to beautiful Nancy. Underpinning it all was our live orchestra, which took on Bart’s challenging score, successfully turning every Oom-Pah-Pah into a foot-stomping celebration.

The vibrancy of the entire production was a sight to behold, with each and every girl exhibiting a level of focus and energy that was highly commendable. We would like to thank our Director of Drama, Mrs Lucy Halcrow, and our Director of Music, Mr Joe Adams, for guiding this ambitious ship and providing the School community with a professional and truly “glorious" experience.