Food Glorious Food, Oom-pah-pah, Reviewing the Situation, Consider Yourself and Where is Love… all well-known songs that form part of one of the most well-loved musicals ever – Oliver!
This musical is to be put on by Stagecoach Theatre Arts School at the Mediterranean Conference Centre on Saturday 27 October at 7.30pm. The cast includes Jean-Paul Aquilina as Oliver, Andrea Grech as Fagin, Damian Buhagiar as Dodger, Isaac Cutajar as Bill Sykes and Bettina Paris as Nancy, as well as Nicole Cassar, Katrina Gauci, Albert Camilleri, Diana Clark, Justin Mamo, Olenka Martino, James Vella, David Chircop, Ian Muscat, Francesca Fenech, Annelise Aquilina, Nicole Briffa, Luke Mercieca and many more talented youngsters.
Oliver Twist, one of Dickens's best-known novels, is a grimly comic indictment of the effects of industrialisation upon 19th century England. Oliver, an innocent child, is trapped in an unforgiving society where his only practical alternatives seem to be the workhouse, Fagin's den of thieves, a prison sentence or an early grave. From this grim setting, however, a fairy tale also emerges: in the midst of corruption and degradation, Oliver remains pure-hearted; he refrains from evil when those around him succumb; and, in proper fairy-tale fashion, he eventually receives his reward – just as his chief tormenters receive theirs. On the way to this happy ending, Dickens takes the opportunity to explore the kind of life an orphan, outcast boy could expect to lead in the London of the 1830s.
The book, lyrics and music are by Lionel Bart, while the orchestral arrangements are by William David Brohn. With set and costume designs inspired by the 19th century London artist, Hogarth; musical direction by Rosetta DeBattista; choreography by Emma Loftus and direction by Denise Mulholland this show promises to deliver something unexpected – maybe even “Oliver with a Twist”.
“The biggest challenge facing us in staging Lionel Bart’s much-loved version of the Dickens’ classic is staying true to those fundamental themes and issues, while retaining the exuberance and joy of the musical. We are helped enormously in this task by the overwhelming enthusiasm and energy of our cast. An ensemble of 72 performers, including some of the best young talent in Malta at the moment, will take to the stage at the MCC to bring you their version of Oliver,” says Ms Mulholland.
Tickets may be purchased from the Mediterranean Conference Centre Booking Office in Valletta on: 2559 5750/1 or by email on: [email protected]. More information 2141 9306 or email: [email protected].