Emily Perry reviews Oliver! at the Barn Theatre in Welwyn Garden City.
It has been a long time since The Barn Theatre last produced Oliver!, 1981, I believe. Fast forward to 2024 and there is a fresh and very enjoyable new production to be seen.
This delightful, fun and very slick show is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy again the music of Lionel Bart. I was in the audience towards the end of a busy week and came away thoroughly entertained and refreshed!
Personally I had forgotten how memorable the songs are. The beautiful singing in the show was combined with five very talented musicians, who are heard but not seen, and I was really impressed with the quality of both.
The songs are performed in all sense of the word and are well directed and embodied within the dialogue.
There are stand-out performances from all of the singing characters, but I have to mention Georgina Shaw, who sang her heart out for all of Nancy’s songs, and led a wonderful ensemble of Oom-Pah-Pah!
Will Smith as Fagin and Neil Harrison as the menacing Bill Sikes were first class in their roles and Tim Spink and Alison Downes, who play the delightful Undertakers, Mr and Mrs Sowerberry, both performed a great version of That’s your Funeral with slapstick humour.
Where appropriate there is a lot of humour, both subtle from the stage direction but also from the characters themselves. Adam Beckman has created a very funny Mr Bumble.
His stage presence and voice together with his interpretation of the character and text make him extremely enjoyable to watch.
When Louise Bateman joins him as Widow Corney, they make two of the ‘darker’ characters more fun but without undermining the essence of their roles within the play.
You still dislike them the way you are meant to.
There are two teams of ten children performing in alternating shows, all excellent: but I ought to mention by name Felix Whatton and Astrid Palfreeman as Oliver and Lilianne Swaile and Oliver Alexandru who play Dodger. All are superb in demanding roles.
The youngsters are a good match for the adults on stage with regard to talent and quality of performances but most importantly, they all look like they are having a great time!
I imagine this production will produce some magical musical theatre memories for them, which they will hold onto for years to come.
I have to say that the set is incredible, designed by Rosemary Bianchi and Michael Merry, but of course a large team of people bring it to life as well.
It really supports all of the talent on stage and provides a purposeful backdrop for the audience to be immersed into the story.
I loved the skyline of London, which provides a constant visual reminder of where the story takes place.
With a total cast of 41, alongside a very talented live band and stage crew, this production undoubtedly involved much time, passion and energy.
Well done to co-directors, Mandy Sayers and Hannah Humbles, and choreographer, Tammy Wall, who have clearly worked incredibly hard.
But we all know that a production is a team effort, so congratulations all round for Oliver!; the Barn Theatre has produced another brilliant show.
The show is running until this Saturday, April 27.
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