In an impressive and taut production by Bob Petersen, the Pentyrch Village Hall was transformed to the bleakness of a workhouse and Dickensian London for the sombre tale of the orphan Oliver Twist, Fagin and his pick-pocketing gang. The grimness of the orphanage was soon filled with bright-eyed characters as the youngsters pleaded 'Food, Glorious Food' and later with their enthusiasm and enjoyment as trainee villains, well-rehearsed and precise in all they did. Young Leon Stawicky, touched hearts with a beautifully sung 'Where is Love' as the lad who wanted more, the fragile orphan Oliver, whose future was soon to be changed by the cheeky cockney sparrer Artful Dodger, played with bags of charm by Matthew Brettle. The romantic intrigue of the apoplectic Mr Bumble, the Beadle and the coy harridan orphanage matron, the Widow Corney, was a nice mix of naughtiness and fun, played by Phil Davies and Amanda Campbell. Funeral parlours are not usually a place of humour unless it is the establishment of the subservient Mr Sowerberry (Martyn Lench), and the gothic vitriolic Mrs Sowerberry (Karen Thomas), with their unpleasant daughter Charlotte (Jenna Claridge), and obnoxious assistant Noah Claypole, played by Richard Jones. A colourful performance by Liam Daley, as a cheery scheming villain Fagin, working well with his young thieving gang to robust and humorous effect. The tragic Nancy was a strongly sung and acted performance by Laura Oliver, and Simon Jones was chillingly evil and sinister as Bill Sykes. Supporting roles were ably covered by George Atkins (Mr Brownlow), Sue O'Halloran (Mrs Bedwin), Iain Campbell (Doctor Grimwig) and Ellie Campbell, delightful as Nancy's young friend, Bet. Within the limited facilities of the venue and with clever, atmospheric lighting, the basic set worked well and costumes were generally good with the right feel for the period and location. Congratulations to the production team of Bob Petersen (Director), Robert Edmunds (Musical Director) and Victoria Graham (Choreographer) on achieving a fine presentation of Lionel Bart's 'family favourite' adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic.

Cast

Oliver Twist - Leon Stawicky

Mr Bumble - Phil Davies

Widow Corney - Amanda Campbell

Paupers Assistants - Gail Alford, Mark Gerry

Mr Sowerberry - Martyn Lench

Mrs Sowerberry - Karen Thomas

Charlotte Sowerberry - Jenna Claridge

Noah Claypole - Richard Jones

Artful Dodger - Matthew Brettle

Fagin - Liam Daly

Charley Bates - Conor Brewer

Nancy - Laura Oliver

Bet - Ellie Campbell

Mr Brownlow - George Atkins

1st Bow Street Runner - Martyn Lench

2nd Bow Street Runner - Iain Campbell

Bill Sykes - Simon Jones

Ms Bedwin - Sue O'Halloran

Rose Seller - Helen Jones

Milk Maid - Helen Page

Strawberry Seller - Gail Alford

Knife Grinder - Martyn Lench

Long Song Seller - Hilary Evans

Dr Grimwig - Iain Campbell

Boy from Booksellers - Conor Brewer

Old Sally - Heather Major

Old Annie - Brenda Slaughter

Nightwatchmen - Mark Gerry, Steve Williams

Chairman - Mark Gerry

Workhouse Children and Fagin's Gang - Ella Powell, Alice Liney, Megan Dodson, Eleanor Brewer, Bethan Thomas, Bethany Petersen, Lottie Wigg, Dafydd Dodson, Rhys Degnan, Lloyd Degnan, Sean Edwards, Conor Brewer, Manon Griffith, Ffion Cox, Tomas Brettle, Leon Stawicky, Matthew Brettle

Chorus of Londoners - Martyn Lench, Gail Alford, Helen Page, Heather Major, Steve Williams, Sara Pickard, Richard Jones, Karen Thomas, Sue O'Halloran, Iain Camp bell, Conor Brewer, Helen Jones, Ellie Campbell, Heather Major, Karen Claridge, Hilary Evans, Abigail Dawson, Ceri Rawlings, Jenna Claridge, Fleur Greening, Brenda Slaughter, Laura Hallas, Mark Gerry

Production Team

Producer / Director – Bob Petersen

Assistant Director – Anne Morris

Musical Director – Robert Edmunds

Choreographer – Victoria Graham

Stage Manager – Wayne Brewer

Assistant Stage Manager / Properties – Raynor Phinnemore, Nathan Brown

Set Design and Construction – Wayne Brewer, Raynor Phinnemore, Josh Cripp, Rhys Stapleton, Nathan Brown

Lighting – Wayne Brewer

Sound – Nathan Brown

Wardrobe Mistresses – Jan Stapleton, Ros Jones

Business Manager – Richard Jones

House Manager – Bob Petersen

Bar Manager - Ray Claridge

House Staff – Members and Friends of Hilltop

Box Office – Brenda Slaughter