Review: Oliver (launch)
Pictured: The pickpocket gang, led by the Artful Dodger (second left, Oliver Dobrenov), at the Savoyards Oliver launch event (picture credit: Creative Futures Photography).
The special May ‘Group Bookers Launch’ offered a wonderful sample of the work by the talented creatives and cast of the Savoyards 2022 production of Oliver. I am not surprised that the queue to place ticket orders snaked across the room. I’d suggest booking early if you want to enjoy Lionel Bart's classic musical.
Based on Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, the musical includes many very well-known numbers—from Consider Yourself, through to Food! Glorious Food!, You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two, and Who Will Buy? The popularity of the show (and film) can mean that audience expectations will be high. So it is just as well that Savoyards have a creative team led by David Harrison (Director), Jacqueline Atherton (Musical Director) and Carlie McEachern (Choreographer). With a mere 45 days to go, the early-May extracts demonstrate that the full show will deliver an entertaining night (or afternoon) out, with strong musical performances, and great choreography.
Picture (L to R): Mrs Corney (Phillipa Bowe) and Mr Bumble (Rod Jones), welcoming guests to the Savoyards launch event (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture: Fagin (Warryn James) keeping the pickpocket gang on their toes (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
At the launch event, Priya Shah’s performance of Nancy’s ‘torch song’, As Long as He Needs Me, held the audience spell-bound. The younger members of the cast were confident in their on-stage work, and it is easy to see why the two Oliver’s were selected for the title role (Jeremiah Rees and Fraser Goodreid each take the title role in four shows). And I loved the clever ways in which the cast spent time ‘in character’ with their customers—from the bumbling greetings through to the return of the pickpocketed coins (chocolate, on this occasion!). A special mention here to Warryn James, who is clearly very well-cast as Fagin—compelling on-stage, as well as entertaining the audience when ‘working the waiting crowd’ (and even taking a turn at the piano!).
Verdict: Put the dates in your diary now: tickets on sale from 10th May, and the Savoyards Oliver has only eight performances (18 June-2 July).
Audience Information: Oliver (only six performances, from 18 June-2 July, 2022), at the Iona Performing Arts Centre, Iona College, 85 North Road, Lindum, QLD4178. Tickets $30-52 (plus transaction fees, Group Discounts available now). 2 hours 30 minutes (including 20 minute interval).
The reviewer attended the Wednesday 4 May ‘Group Bookers Launch.’
Book, Music & Lyrics by Lionel Bart. Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia). All performance materials supplied by Hal Leonard Australia.