Oliver Theatre & Performing Arts

Swanage Musical Theatre Company (amateur) present 'Oliver', Lionel Bart's hit adaptation of the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

The original cast featured Ron Moody as Fagin, Georgia Brown as Nancy, and Barry Humphries in the supporting role of Mr. Sowerberry, the undertaker.
In 1968, the film version was nominated for eleven Academy Awards and won six, including Best Picture. Ron Moody was joined by Shani Wallis as Nancy, Oliver Reed as Bill Sikes, Harry Secombe as Mr Bumble, Leonard Rossiter as Mr. Sowerberry Mark Lester as Oliver and Jack Wild, who appeared at the Mowlem one summer, as the Artful Dodger.
The musical starts in the workhouse where the orphan boys are eating their gruel but one brave boy asks for more. His name is Oliver and he is told to leave by the greedy caretakers, Mr Bumble and the widow Corney. Mr. Bumble actually sells Oliver to the undertakers Mr and Mrs Sowerberry.
Oliver manages to escape and goes on the run and so begins his new life in the city of London. There he meets the Artful Dodger, friends and Fagin, a criminal who teaches the boys to pick pockets. Oliver is befriended by Nancy, an older member of the gang and live-in wife of Bill Sykes, a brutal house-burglar.
Come and see what happens to Oliver and the interesting twist to the story! Enjoy the memorable songs of which the best known are 'Food Glorious Food', "Consider Yourself", "You've Got To Pick A Pocket or Two", "Where Is Love?" and the hit "As long As He Needs Me" Other songs include "I Shall Scream", "Boy for Sale", "That's Your Funeral", "It's a Fine Life", "I'd Do Anything", "Be Back Soon", "Who Will Buy?” "Oom-Pah-Pah" and "Reviewing the Situation".
Every song beautifully crafted by Lionel Bart at his peak.

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