Musical Twist on classic Dickens tale in Stafford
Lionel Bart’s version of the classic Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist comes to Stafford Gatehouse Theatre this week.
Nearly 90 performers – including a dog – from Musical Theatre Stafford will bring the popular award-winning musical to life at the theatre until Saturday(19).
Oliver! tells the story of the a malnourished orphan who endures a miserable existence in a Victorian workhouse. When Oliver asks for more food, he is sold as an apprentice to an undertaker, where his unkind treatment continues and he is bullied by the cowardly apprentice, Noah Claypole.
After being locked in an empty coffin Oliver escapes to London, where he meets the Artful Dodger and is taken in by the gang of petty thieves and pickpockets, led by Fagin.
Oliver! features songs including As Long As He Needs Me; Food, Glorious Food; Consider Yourself; Oom Pah Pah and Where Is Love. The show features two casts of children all who are local to Stafford and members of the junior section of Musical Youth Theatre.
Hannah Morris, director and choreographer of Oliver! said: “This show has everything you want from a stage production. Lionel Bart’s musical arrangements are fantastic, with incredible harmonies, we have huge dance numbers featuring all the cast and such great characters. The story is both poignant and humorous and we know it will leave our audiences wanting more.”
Tickets are still available for evening performances tonight(16), tomorrow,(17) Friday(18) and Saturday(19) – as well as a matinee 2.30pm performance on Saturday.
To book tickets, call the box office on 01785 619080 or visit www.musicaltheatrestafford.org.uk/oliver.
