BLOOD BROTHERS
20th – 25th October 2014 By Willy Russell Directed by Sharon Laws & Rick Thompsett
Drama This is the fast-moving, perceptive and entertaining play on which the musical and its 10,000 performances in London’s West End was based. We watch the diverging lives of twin boys as they are separated at birth, then cross in adulthood. One brought up in poverty, one with all the advantages of a middle-class family – what leads them to clash so brutally? Nature, or nurture? Could their mothers have diverted them from their tragic path? Or is it just fate that deals them such a cruel hand?
Cast   Crew Narrator Mike Strong   Stage Manager Colin Edgerton Mrs. Johnston Jo Cullen   Set Design Janet Bennett Milkman/Doctor/   Set Construction Alan Croft & The   Policeman Geoff Thorn   Chipstead Players Mrs. Lyons Siobhan (Shiv)   Construction Crew   Ames   Lighting Jonathan Laverock & Mikey Toby James   James Willis Eddie Oliver Robinson   Sound Jon Laws Linda Katherine Sparshatt   Wardrobe Lorraine Bygraves   Props Pauline Beckley &   Margaret Alexander   Furniture &     Set Dressing Clare Sparshatt   Prompt Lynn Webb   Production Manager Jon Laws   Pram kindly loaned by Fanny from the farm shop in Markedge Lane, Merstham.
Review: By Theo Spring of The Croydon Advertiser
Absolutely everything came together in this first class production for which the directors, Sharon Laws and Rick Thompsett deserve high praise. "A talented cast" is a phrase often used in my reviews but for this production for "talented" read "brilliant" – for that is what they were. Their scouse accents were realistic and reliable throughout and the acting of the highest standard. Being amdram, getting the twins of the tale to actually resemble each other is nigh on impossible but Toby James as Mickey and Oliver Robinson as Eddie, although bodily chalk and cheese, made us believe. Growing up on stage, from a 7 (almost 8) year old to an adult is a tall order but both as rough and tumble boys, through puberty to grown ups with responsibilities the roles were realistically portrayed. As the careworn Mrs Johnston, Jo Cullen also grew her character from a romantic young girl to the mother of a growing brood. With a feckless husband who scarpered, the tough decision to give up one of the twins she carried was heartbreakingly delivered. Siobhan Ames as the wealthy, childless Mrs Lyons who inveigled Mrs Johnston to give her one of the twins, brought a growing desperation to the role, but even those who knew how the tragic ending would unfurl were still shocked by the final scene, so charged was it with emotion. Linda – young friend and later love interest for both the twins – was brought to life in a happy, lively manner by Katherine Sparshatt who gave Linda fun as a little girl, romantic teenage wiles and intelligence beyond her years as an adult. Mike Strong as the Narrator wove himself in and out of the plot with agility – setting the scenes both literally with furniture and props and metaphorically with the script, and Geoff Thorn transformed himself into three different character cameos with great skill. Janet Bennett’s street scene set was both imaginative and practical with its low cost housing, closely crammed doors and perspective layout. Full marks to Alan Croft and his construction crew for actually creating it. To Lorraine Bygraves go congratulations for all her wardrobe changes, all done in keeping with the 1950s-1980s time frame. Each of the short film sequences which opened the acts helped set the scene, and incidental music was apt, with the exception of the closing choice which had the right sentiments but, although released in 1974, seemed a little modern. A reprise of the orchestral version of "Tell Me It’s Not True" might have suited better. The programme, although containing a few errors, was informative and excellently produced, but to leave this review on these minor niggles would be unjust to the production which must go down as one of Chipstead’s finest and a great credit to everyone involved.
A NIGHT AT THE MUSICALS
10th – 13th September 2014 Selected & arranged by Youth Theatre members Directed by Fran Loosley & Benita Murphy
Musical Review Let our enthusiastic and multi-talented Youth Theatre members conduct you through decades of song, dance and enjoyment as they bring favourites from the West End and Broadway to Chipstead. Spot tomorrow’s stars in this night of spectacle and surprise as you sing and clap along to hits from your youth right through to numbers that are bang up to date.
Cast   Crew Presenter Ben Jeffreys   Stage Manager Paul Le Fevre   Sound Matt Kennedy & Choreographers Gemma Bottomley   Fergus Walling Emily Foster   Lighting Ben Gilbert Elodie Guyon-   Properties Clair Jeffreys   Pelfrene   Wardrobe Janet Bennett &   Rosie Bottomley Performers Madeleine Anstee   Production Manager Sue Loosley Molly Atkinson     (with thanks to Liz Bignell) Max Barnard   Rachel Barnard   Katie Bignell   Gemma Bottomley   Monty Camisa-     Bundy   Connor Cecil   Aurora Chandler-     Honor   Kate Clancy   Izzii Crocker   Emily Foster   Maria Gallagher   Elodie Guyon-     Pelfrene   Kayleye Herbert   Sam Holland   Isobel Hubner   Ben Jeffreys   Zoe Kirk   Fran Loosley   Benita Murphy   Ewan Murphy   Callum Murray   Sofia Nicodemo   Isabelle Palmer   Georgina Perry   Simon Perry
Review: By Theo Spring of The Croydon Advertiser
Directed by two youth members for Chipstead’s youth theatre. the show was much enjoyed by all ages in the audience. Fran Loosley and Benita Murphy with, they acknowledge, help from many sources, brought together an eclectic mix of songs from stage and screen, both those often and less often chosen for shows such as this. Their own beautifully harmonised numbers - What Is This Feeling (Loathing) and its antidote For Good, both from Wicked, were highly polished numbers. Many of the songs chosen were those sung by children in these shows. Thus Do-Re-Mi made an expected appearance whilst Connor Cecil as Gavroche singing Little People and Isabelle Palmer with Cosette’s plaintive song Castle on a Cloud, both from Les Mis, were charmingly cocky and sadly sweet respectively. Still on the child theme, Zoe Kirk mastered the tricky Naughty and joined many of the cast for the lively When I Grow Up from Matilda. Of course, an aspiring lion made his appearance with Ewan Murphy in Just Can’t Wait to be King from the Lion King and, rising in age, four voices brought us right up to date with Let It Go from Frozen. Indubitably, Annie (Sofia Nicodemo) and her fellow orphans sang lustily in Hard Knock Life, but no wig for Annie, rather than the frizzy ginger caricature Sophia wore, would have been preferable. Callum Murray was a believable Billy Elliot in the rather sad number The Letter taken from the musical of that name. Kicking off the show with the solo voice of Isobel Hubner as Belle, most of the cast joined her to enact Little Town from Beauty and the Beast and the show’s finale, with an enthusiastic full cast, completed the Lion King numbers with Circle of Life. Good choreography brought panache to some of the numbers - Footloose from the film of that name, choreographed by Emily Foster, was both upbeat and sassy. Going back in time, choreographer Gemma Bottomley joined her dancers with their umbrellas for Singing in the Rain, with special congratulations to the stagecraft and aplomb of the young dancer whose umbrella turned inside out, twice, on Wednesday night. Whitney Houston’s award-winning song I Wanna Dance with Somebody was slotted in, sung by Kate Clancy with Sam Holland as her ‘somebody’, and Katie Bignell was tuneful in Paper Moon from Funny Girl. Izzi Crocker commenced a lively medley from Hairspray with Good Morning Baltimore, followed by Elodie Guyon-Pelfrene’s choreography for Nicest Kids in Town and culminating with eight energetic dancers in Welcome to the Sixties. Sometimes joining in (a good Lefou complete with French accent) but mostly as Master of Ceremonies, Ben Jeffreys showed good theatrical skills as he stitched the different numbers in the show together; managed audience reposts and introduced the various numbers, whilst looking very dapper in his top hat and tails - a performer who has shown much talent during his shows over the past three years. Performed to drapes to make life simple, there were few first night glitches - the most noticeable being with the sound which sometimes failed soloists as they commenced their song, but good voices, good choices and an immense joie de vivre brought deserved applause for everyone involved.
QUARTET
6th – 12th July 2014 By Ronald Harwood Directed by Kate Thurlow
Poignant, humorous drama The original from which the 2013 film starring Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon and Tom Courtenay was loosely drawn. Join us for an unashamed celebration of life as four feisty old operatic troupers make us laugh, sigh and sympathise as they battle to pull together for the benefit of their retirement home.
Cast   Crew Jean Horton Jan Robinson   Set Designer Mel Morgan Cecily Robson   Set Construction The Chipstead   (Cissy) Lynn Webb   Construction Crew Wilfred Bond Mel Morgan   Stage Managers Michael Rahman & Reginald Paget Colin Edgerton   Nick Jones   Lighting Stephen Thurlow &   David Boyd   Sound Design Don Hindle   Sound Operation Andy Mills   Furniture Clare Sparshatt   Props Pauline Beckley,   Anne Thorn &   Ginetta McMorrow   Wardrobe Roz Hayes &   Anne Franks   Production Manager/     Prompt Louise Delaney
Review: By Theo Spring of The Croydon Advertiser
As the name implies, this is a four-hander requiring four very different characterisations of those who were ‘stars in the firmament’ of opera in their heyday. This was certainly achieved in Kate Thurlow’s production, even encouraging Mel Morgan as randy Wilfred to use cheeky gestures to emphasise his desires, albeit he knew that the spirit being willing, the flesh was weak. As a complete opposite, Colin Edgerton’s Reggie was quiet, thoughtful and calm – a calm surprisingly disrupted in his bellowed insults at the nurse who refused to give him his longed-for marmalade for breakfast. More emotion was required from Reggie on finding that Jean Horton, his ex-wife (married for nine hours), was to become an inmate at the home, which was commendably delivered. Cissy is the dotty delightful companion to Wilfred and Reggie. She is forgetful, cheerful, enthusiastic and the main recipient of Wilfred’s lustful yearnings. Lynn Webb made her a homely and slightly mothering figure, consoling Reggie when his ex arrived to upset their tranquil trio. Elegant, haughty, heartless, egocentric and resentful of her aging, Jan Robinson created a Jean used to having her way, who vociferously affirmed her operatic stardom above the achievements of the others. The opening of Act 1 and the clever working of the four’s delivery of their performance of the Quartet from Verdi’s Rigoletto, at the home’s annual concert, are excellent. The costumes for this concert triumph enrich the production, with wardrobe by Roz Hayes and Anne Franks. As well as delivering Wilfred, Mel Morgan also designed the set which, sadly, I did not like and couldn’t work out the reason for the rather churchy misty mountain backdrop and the contrasting garishness of the terrace room in which the play is set. Cissy, she says, had leave to decorate this room but the musical notes on the walls were a little bit of a cliché. The play, which has been made into a most successful film, deals admirably with the tedium of living in a home, however good, and the characters relayed, so well, the difficulties of the aging process and the hankering after the lives they once led.
THE WEEKEND
19th – 24th May 2014 By Michael Palin Directed by Colin Edgeerton
Comedy Returning from his travelogues but still imbued with the spirit of Monty Python, Palin’s first West End presentation puts world-weary Stephen and his sarcastic wit under the microscope of a family weekend. How will he cope with his wife’s dinner-party list, the dog and the chiropodist? How come he’s invited?
Cast   Crew Virginia Febble Jan Robinson   Set Designer Alan Croft Stephen Febble Will Harris   Set Construction Alan Croft & The Mrs. Finlay Susie Timms   Chipstead Players Duff Gardner Don Hindle   Construction Crew Diana Sandie Kirk   Stage Managers David Franks & Alan Charles Taylor   Andy Mills Charlotte Fran Loosley   Lighting Alan Magrath & Pippa the dog Madge/Toast   John Leventhall Bridget Gardner Jane Foster   Sound Mike Dyson Hugh Bedales Nick Foster   Furniture & The Voice of The     Set Dressing Anne Franks   Lord Colin Edgerton   Props Anne Hopkins,   Lynn Webb &   Ginetta McMorrow   Wardrobe Margaret Ramsdale   & Sarah Boucher   Prompt Irene Amos   Production Manager Linda Hall
Review: By Theo Spring of The Croydon Advertiser
Written by Michael Palin, the comic element of a family weekend which goes disastrously wrong on many levels, is expected. The unexpected is the reveal in the final scenes. Living in an elegant but spacious cottage (a set so well designed by Alan Croft), Stephen Febble is the most curmudgeonly human being you hopefully won’t have the misfortune to meet. Will Harris took on his personae, making him irascible and grumpy, ably delivering Palin’s amusing one-liners and observations on life. With the lion’s share of the script, he conjured up a man at odds with his wife, his daughter, his granddaughter and, particularly and understandably, their incontinent dog. Jan Robinson as his wife, Virginia, brought out her character’s unease at being trapped in what was obviously an unhappy marriage, but one where she was committed to her original marriage vows – making the best of things. A highlight for Virginia is the visit of daughter Diana and her family – such a lowlight for her husband. As Diana, Sandie Kirk portrays a daughter trying hard to make the visit right for her mother whilst fending off her father’s constant criticisms. Charles Taylor as her husband Alan, did a great job with the nerdy detailed explanation of their journey – road number by road number. Their daughter, Charlotte, given loads of attitude by Fran Loosley, is the butt of severe rudeness from her grandfather, seeking comfort from his stinging remarks in championing Pippa the dog, played by Madge or Toast depending on the night, the source of puddles and worse in the house. Into this fractious visit, come longstanding friend and neighbour Duff ’ Don Hindle combining affability with a steely undertone. He and his wife Bridget are dinner guests on the Saturday night, throwing a further spanner in the simmering works by bringing Hugh, Bridget’s society foot specialist with concerning libido. Jane Foster’s Bridget swung admirably between being too charming and too uptight whilst Nick Foster put on high class smarm as Hugh. Susie Timms made a brief appearance as Mrs Finlay the Marxist cleaning lady and director Colin Edgerton appropriately added resonance as the recorded Voice of the Lord – whose commands had obviously been obeyed to create a thought-provoking production delivered by a talented cast.
THE AMAZING MAURICE AND HIS EDUCATED RODENTS
9th – 13th April 2014 By Terry Pratchett © Adapted by Stephen Briggs Directed by Debra Elsdon Assistant directors: Geoff Thorn, Hope Elsdon
Comedy A band of roving rats as heroes, under the streetwise command of Maurice the talking cat. This can only be taking place on Pratchett’s Discworld ®. As they pull their Pied Piper scam for one last time, the little con goes down the drain and the rats must learn a new word: EVIL. It’s not a game any more. It’s a rat-eat-rat world down there.
Cast   Crew Delicious Max Barnard   Set Designer David Boyd Bitesize Gemma Bottomley   Set Construction Stephen Thurlow & Keith Monty Camisa-   The Chipstead   Bundy   Players Ron/Rat Piper Jevon Clark   Construction Crew Kidney Ruby Easton   Stage Manager Nick Gane Darktan Ethan Elsdon     assisted by Ewan Murphy Inbrine Anna Fallon   Deputy Stage Manager Hope Elsdon Feedsfour Edison Fallon   Lighting John Leventhall & Bill/Agent Louis Forsyth   James Willis Sally/   Sound Fergus Walling,   Sgt Doppelpunkt Lili Herbert   Matt Kennedy & Sardines Ben Jeffreys   Michael Wilkinson Malicia Zoe Kirk   Props, furniture & Nourishing Toby Maynard     set dressing Anne Thorn, Specialoffer Mia Meggiolaro   Paige Bull & Rat King Jonathan Neary   Georgia Thornton Dangerous Beans Edie Nelson   Costumes Lorraine Bygraves & Hamnpork Sofia Nicodemo   Jayne Forsyth Peaches Isabelle Palmer   Music arrangement & Gary/Mayor Simon Perry     composition John Chandler- Maurice Laurence Read     Honnor Death Geoff Thorn   Choreography Janet Bennett   Production Manager Liz Bignell   Head Chaperones Jacqui Nelson &   Sandie Kirk   Hair & Make-up Hope Elsdon,   Kate Batchelor,   Katie Bignell,   Emily Foster,   Kayley Herbert,   Maria Gallagher &   Jessie Read   Set Painting Janet Bennett,   Mark Neary,   Paige Bull,   Georgia Thornton,   Sharon Bull &   Sarit Barnard   Shadow puppets made by Matt Kirk
THE SNOWS OF KILIMANJARO
24th February – 1st March 2014 By Ernest Hemingway Adapted by Brian Harnetiaux Directed by Maggie May
Drama A UK premiere for the Courtyard! We follow the travels of a writer from Paris to Cuba, USA and Africa’s Serengeti plains in what is regarded as a self-portrait of Hemingway and a compelling sharing of his inner thoughts. Presented with multi-role playing, beautifully-lit images and stunning music, this is a complete theatrical experience.
Cast   Crew Molo Arnold Lumu   Set Designer Linda Hornzee-Jones Julian McDonald /   Set Construction David Croft &   Compton David Kay   The Chipstead Tish McDonald Krissi Perry   Players Sidney Julie Cumbo   Construction Crew Jack / Priest Paul Valleau   Stage Manager Colin Edgerton Helen Markem Julie Silverman   Lighting Design Jonathan Laverock & Harry St. James Jeremy Taylor   Graham House The Hyena /   Lighting Operation James Willis   Waiter Nick Gane   Sound Mel Morgan Kate Caroline Donald   Props Jill Kiss & Sylvia Beach /   Debbie Marsh   Mourner Kate Thurlow   Furniture Clare Sparshatt   Wardrobe Anne Franks, Recorded voices David Kay &   Edwina Marrow & Charlie Crowther-   Liz Lockhart-Mure   Smith   Projection Design Stephen Thurlow   Hyena mask made by Matt Kirk   Prompt Margaret Ramsdale   Production Manager Mary Morgan
Review: By Theo Spring of The Croydon Advertiser
Designing a set with its required mercurial needs was intriguingly resolved by Linda Hornzee-Jones who created a stepped platform which offered the versatility of transforming into Paris, New York and Tanganyika, with simple additions of furniture and props. Enhancing this, Stephen Thurlow’s slide projection design set more of the scene, with the whole of Act II dominated superbly by the mountain of the title. Lighting design by Jonathan Laverock and Graham House and subtle operation by James Willis all enhanced each scene, but again, in particular, the changing aspects of the mountain. With its demanding changes of location it is understandable that this was the UK premier of this play, and quite a coup for Chipstead. Based on the original Ernest Hemingway story and adapted for stage by Bryan Harnetiaux, the play is highly autobiographical of Hemingway’s own life and many loves. Arnold Lumu excelled in his delivery of long speeches in Swahili as Molo in the opening scene. From here we moved to Paris and a champagne gathering to celebrate Harry St James’ birthday, with Jeremy Taylor in the demanding lead role as the writer fearing he cannot fulfil his desire to write everything he wishes to during his lifetime. A strong and believable portrayal here, setting the bar for the rest of the cast. David Kay created Harry’s good friend Julian, destined to lead a life shortened by drink and establishing his character very well in that first Paris scene. Egged on to buy yet more champagne by Julie Cumbo as the good time girl Sydney, it is Kristianne Perry as Julian’s more abstaining wife Tish who tries to keep the party sober. Kate is Harry’s wife at this party with Caroline Donald making her caring, encouraging and sensible but it is Helen, with Julie Silverman playing Harry’s second wife, who journeys with him to the foothills of Kilimanjaro – loving and supporting the man who treats her ill. The presence of death, materialised by a Hyena who weaves his way through all the scenes of the play had Nick Gane under a most lifelike mask created by Matt Kirk. Kate Thurlow as efficient PR lady Sylvia and Paul Valleau as the imbibing Jack and later a priest add more to the tale. Period costumes for the 1925-1930 era brought glamour from Anne Franks and her wardrobe team. Director Maggie May, her cast and crew worked hard to make this rewarding achievement a real feather in Chipstead’s collective cap.
OLIVER!
5th – 12th January 2014 15th – 18th January 2014 Music & lyrics by Lionel Bart Directed by Ian Brown Musical Director: Paul Govier-Simpson Choreographer: Claire Ali
Delightful family entertainment Joy, glorious joy as a host of toe-tapping numbers ring out: "You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two", "Who Will Buy?", "Consider Yourself", "I’d Do Anything", "As Long As He Needs Me" and so many more. You’ll be reviewing the situation if you don’t book early for this guaranteed sell-out show.
Cast   Crew Oliver Twist Callum Murray/   Set Designer Janet Bennett   Ewan Murphy   Set Construction Alan Croft & The Artful Dodger Sofia Nicodemo/   The Chipstead   Connor Cecil   Players Fagin Chris Evans   Construction Crew Nancy Lauren Milsom   Stage Manager Mel Morgan Bet Benita Murphy/   Deputy Stage   Katie Bignell     Manager Sharon Laws Bill Sykes Noel Harris   Lighting Design John Leventhall Mrs. Bedwin Sarah-Jane   Lighting Operation John Leventhall,   Raynsford   Alan McGrath & Widow Corney Elayne Teague   James Willis Mr. Bumble Roy Pearson   Sound Design & Jon Laws & Mr. Sowerberry Nick Foster     Operation Matthew Kennedy Mrs. Sowerberry Sarah Pearson   Props Claire Jeffreys & Charlotte   Janet Bennett   Sowerberry Katie Milsom   Furniture & Set Noah Claypole Ryan Doherty     Dressing Janet Bennett Old Sally Vicky van Manen   Wardrobe Janett Bennett, Mr. Brownlow Colin Edgerton   Anne Hopkins, Dr. Grimwig Geoff Thorn   Lorraine Bygraves & Milk Seller Jo Hopkins   Sarah Boucher Strawberry Seller Katei Bignell/   Assistant   Benita Murphy     Choreographer Tracey Brammar Rose Seller Pippa Bell   Prompt Lynn Webb Long Song Seller Peter van Manen   Production Manager Simon Kennedy Charlie Bates Ben Jeffreys   Production Team Vicky van Manen, Policeman/   Edwina Marrow &   Knife Grinder Harry van Manen   Alice Chandler- Bullseye Inca     Honnor       ADULT CHORUS   BAND Molly Atkinson, Ethan Elsdon, Emily   Keyboard James Beal Foster, Kayley Herbert, Isobel Hubner,   Woodwind Erica Clarke Frances Loosley, Lynn Webb   Guitar John Chandler-     Honnor CHILD CHORUS   Percussion Stephen Matthews Kate Batchelor, Monty Camisa-Bundy,   Bass Simon Kennard Aurora Chandler-Honnor, Jevon Clark,   Louis Forsyth, Carlotta Foster, Rachel   Gallagher, Elodie Guyon-Pelfrene, Sam   Holland, Zoe Kirk, Toby Maynard,   Isabelle Palmer, Cianna Raynsford,   Andrew Trice
Review: By Theo Spring of The Croydon Advertiser
A combination of enthusiastic and well rehearsed youngsters joining with adult members of the Players gave this popular Lionel Bart musical energy and polish. Directed by Ian Brown who also played a creditable Mr Bumble, Janet Bennett’s "all in one" set design meant simple changes to create the many different scenes and no loss of pace – a big bonus. The strength of the youth section at Chipstead meant keen competition for the younger roles with Oliver, Dodger, Bet and the Strawberry Seller doubled for different days. Oliver on my night was Ewan Murphy – a splendid young actor who interacted well with the story, moved with agility and sang all his well-known songs with charm. Connor Cecil was his Dodger, carrying off "Consider Yourself" with ability and ease and, like Ewan, reacting very well to the tale. The programme shows a side by side photo of both Bets but without a "left to right" indication. My Bet is on the right of the picture and I hope that is Katie Bignell who did splendid work as Nancy’s friend, particularly in "I’d Do Anything". Lauren Milsom brought a lively, sincere Nancy to life, tackling the variety of vocals with gusto ("Oom Pah Pah") and feeling ("As Long As He Needs Me") and interacting well with Fagin’s boys. Chris Evans delivered a friendly, scheming Fagin, played, thankfully, in traditional style, in a huge swirling coat with the requisite pockets. Wardrobe (all four ladies) had done a great job on this but sent their workhouse boys out in shirts that were too clean, as was Nancy’s dress with its rather inappropriate cinch waspie belt. "Oliver!" gives Societies an opportunity for a plethora of character roles, many with their own vocal numbers. The Sowerberrys (Nick Foster, Penny Fisher and Katie Milsom) gloried in the macabre in "That’s Your Funeral", the London Cries (Jo Hopkins, Pippa Bell, Benita Murphy (I think?) and Peter and Harry van Manen all delivered this tuneful number well, and Elayne Teague as Widow Corney "Screamed" satisfactorily at Mr Bumble’s advances. Ryan Doherty changed from cheeky to serious as Noah Clapole and Dr Grimwig, and Colin Edgerton was the concerned, aptly dressed Mr Brownlow. Sarah-Jane Raynsford brought more compassion as his housekeeper, Mrs Bedwin, but again, her costume was wrong, although I did understand the requirement for her speedy transformation into the chorus. To Noel Harris fell the bold delivery of "My Name" as Bill Sykes, handling the four-legged star Inca playing his dog, Bullseye. With Ben Jeffreys as Charlie Bates, the Workhouse and Fagin’s den was populated by tuneful ragamuffins, and Vicky van Manen as Old Sally gave up her stolen locket to help resolve Oliver’s parentage. Playing off stage, full marks go to the band, with a particular accolade to Erica Clarke on beautifully played woodwind, but the whole company should take a well-deserved bow for a memorable production where their hard work sent the audience home humming.