Oliver!
2008
Lionel Bart
Derngate Theatre
NODA Awards:
- NODA East Midlands Award Winning: Highly Commended: Best Souvenir Deluxe Programme
- NODA East Midlands Award Nominee: Best Musical
- NODA East Midlands Award Winner: Best Poster

Cast List
Oliver – Michael Kempster / Will Miles
Mr Bumble – John Simpson
Widow Comey – Joy Wilson
Mr Sowerberry – Mark Woodham
Mrs Sowerberry – Amanda Howson
Charlotte – Jay Snedker
Noah Claypool – Daniel Hodson
The Artful Dodger – Gary Amos
Fagin – Richard Walker
Charlie – Tom Laker
Nancy – Lisa Simpson
Bet – Lotti Minter
Mr Brownlow – Bryan Hall
Bill Sikes – Roy Taylor
Mrs. Bedwin Jayne Minter Maryan
Dr. Grimmwig – Kevin Jones
Old Sally – Jenny Starnes
Street Criers
Helen Kennedy, Hannah Timlin, Kathryn Farrar, Matthew Berrill, Ken Starnes
Workhouse Inmates and Londoners
Elizabeth Allan, Rebecca Allan, Steffan C. Attrill, Matthew Berrill, Stawomir Bejm. Rachel Bond. Hannah Timlin, Shaun Cooper, Barry Cox. Eleanor Cox, Kathryn Farrar, Ady Holmes. Helen Kennedy, Nannette Lovell, Andrew Percival, Mindy Robinson. Ken Starnes. Louise Swann, Becky Woodham, Emily Barlow. Emily Berrill, Emily Burnham and Megan Percival
Conducted by Paul Truman
Old Favourite is a Success
Oliver, glorious Oliver! With one of the finest musical scores and some of the most colourful stage characters, Oliver is one of those musicals that I can’t help but enjoy.
The familiar story of the orphaned workhouse boy has been brought to the stage this week by the Northampton Amateur Operatic Company. And if the busy theatre was anything to go by it is still one of those musicals that people just want to see. Although most of us in the audience probably knew it, the story is told well by the Company. From the opening Food Glorious Food, the story of Oliver comes to life and delivers great song after song that I could sing along to in my head.
Oliver, played on Tuesday night by eight-year-old Will Miles, was everything the character should be and really tugs at the heart strings. There are also some strong performances from Nancy (Lisa Simpson) and Bill Sikes (Roy Taylor). But the real star was Fagin, played by Richard Walker, who truly captured the miserly crook. The cast was also backed up by a great live orchestra which really added to the atmosphere. With the well-delivered songs, strong scenes and those big characters, I couldn’t help but smile along to this old favourite.
There’s not much to smile about at the moment. At least until the curtain raises on the Northampton Amateur Operatic Company’s joyous production of Lionel Bart’s adaptation of Oliver Twist and you’re treated to two and a half hours of wonderful escapism. My smile was as wide as the Thames.
I’ve long thought Bart’s musical is three songs too long, but that takes nothing away from a joyous production by a local company we should all feel proud of.
I’ve just arrived home from your performance of Oliver this evening (Wednesday 8th October). I felt compelled to congratulate you all on a wonderful performance.
I genuinely had a tear in my eye as the cast took their bows at the end of the performance. The young lad who played Oliver was fabulous – what a future he has if he continues in musical theatre. Nancy, Fagin, Dodger & Bet all produced fantastic performances. The whole cast appeared as one great and united team – an absolute joy to watch.
Good luck for the rest of your performances,
All the best.