There was a time when the mention of “Amateur Dramatics” conjoured up images of wobbly sets and even wobblier vocals, accompanied by out of tune music and lacklustre dancing but, thankfully, those days are far behind us and now we have companies like the White Rock Theatre Summer Youth Project offering us a superb set, amazing vocal performances, a vibrant band and choreography that could rival many professional productions.
What makes this show even more spectacular in that the cast of 91 – yes, 91 – only started rehearsals nine days ago, at the start of this summer’s school holiday youth theatre project. With Director Ben Watson, the Hastings panto legend, and Choreographer Kirstie Wilde leading the way, the cast of 8 to 19 year olds have worked tirelessly to create this stunning production.
The show opens with the “Workhouse” scene, where dozens of children march to the stage from all parts of the auditorium, food bowls in hand, to collect their daily helping of gruel, while belting out the first number, Food, Glorious Food. Overseeing the “feast” are Mr Bumble (Oliver Whitehead) and the fearsome Widow Corney (Ellie Fry) who waste no time in showing us their loathing for these “paupers” and, in the privacy of the parlour, their affection for each other.
After making the mistake of asking for “More” and getting evicted from the Workhouse, the action transfers to the workplace of Mr Sowerberry the Undertaker (Tom Golby), his wife (Eva Pomery) and his daughter Charlotte (Jade Wilson) where Oliver becomes a coffin follower until an altercation forces him to flee and head for London – where he meets Jack Dawkins, also known as The Artful Dodger, played with bundles of Cockney charm by Harry Seymour – in his first principal role.
Nathan McDonald works really hard to mix the perfect blend of old Jewish miser and camp affectation to give us a supremely entertaining Fagin, delivering a brilliantly over the top version of Reviewing The Situation, and he is matched with showstopping ability by Elleana Brookes-Doolan as the irrepressible Nancy, who almost lifts the roof off the theatre with As Long As He Needs Me.
The menacing figure of Bill Sykes, and the nasty piece of work that is Mr Sowerberry’s assistant Noah Claypole, in the very capable hands of Rowan Ringrose and Tom Weller, add a dark edge to the piece with Leo Gasson and Isabelle Cunningham as Charley Bates and Bet doing their very best to lighten the mood.
The star of the show, appearing in his first ever Summer Youth Project is ten year old Toby Mocrei as Oliver. With his small frame, he looks more lost and vulnerable than ever but, as he tries to fall asleep under the counter in Sowerberry’s Undertakers, he opens his mouth and his huge voice comes out to offer up a breathtakingly wonderful version of Where is Love? His first number, on the opening night, of his first Theatre Project show – and he just nails it!
Oliver! is the 15th production by the White Rock Theatre Summer Youth Project and, judging by the high quality of the show, and the enthusiastic reaction from the capacity audience, the project is set to run for many more years to come.
***** Five Stars