Oliver Twist: To 15 May.
Brighton
OLIVER TWIST
by Charles Dickens: adapted by Neil Bartlett
Lyric Hammersmith on tour at Brighton Theatre Royal 11-15 May 2004
Runs 2hr 15min One interval
Review: Jan Pick 7 May at Warwick Arts Centre
Bones provide rich nourishment.What a good story Oliver Twist is. Neil Bartlett's version presents the language of Dickens, stripping it of the accumulated layers of 20th century syrup. The text emerges as a rich, seamy drama placed firmly within the heart of Victorian darkness, where the rays of goodness are allowed to shine through the character of Oliver and his fate.
The macabre humour and melodramatic aspects of the story work well in this ingenious staging, setting the claustrophobic, grim backdrop of the workhouse and the back streets of London against the haven of safety in the home of Mr Brownlow with a few swift changes of props.
The excellence of the ensemble company, most playing several parts, make it difficult to pick out individuals, but Michael Feast played a sinuously complex, almost piratical, Fagin, whose bitter experience as a Jew - and therefore an outsider - informs his attitudes and villainy. His degeneration into a foul old man, muttering Hebrew and panic stricken at the thought of the gallows, is chillingly conveyed.
Jordan Metcalfe as Oliver managed to negotiate the fine line between sincerity and mawkishness with dexterity and Owen Sharpe as the engaging Artful Dodger, who also narrates parts of the story, charms Oliver and audience alike, while not shirking the venal side of the character.
Taking the bones of the novel, Bartlett's play successfully creates the rich and diverse world of London's underside and the memorable characters that people it. Here Bill Sikes, Nancy, Dodger and the Bumbles all meet their proper Dickensian fate and the happy ending for Oliver unashamedly demonstrates the Victorian moral of good triumphing over evil. A truly satisfying theatrical experience.
Mrs Sowerberry/Bill Sikes/Workhouse Inmate No. Seven/A Policeman/ A Member of the Workhouse Board/A Workhouse Boy: Nicholas Asbury
Charley Bates/A Doctor/A Member of the Workhouse Board/ A Mourner/A Smartly Dressed Servant: Ryan Early
Fagin: Michael Feast
Toby Crackit/Workhouse Inmate No. Five/A Member of the Workhouse Board/A Mourner/The Last Minute Witness/The Second Policeman: Nicholas Goode
Noah Claypole/Tom Chitling/Workhouse Inmate No. Four/A Workhouse Boy/A Member of the Workhouse Board: Gregor Henderson-Begg
Mr Bumble/Bystander No. Three: Paul Hunter
Mr Sowerberry/Mr Fang/Mr Grimwig/a Boy in Fagin's Gang/Workhouse Inmate No. Two/A Member of the Workhouse Board/Bystander No. Four/Workhouse Boy: Derek Hutchinson
Oliver Twist: Jordan Metcalfe
John Dawkins The Artful Dodger': Owen Sharpe
Nancy/The Corpse of Oliver's Mother/A Mourner/Bystander No. Five/A Workhouse Boy/A Member of the Board: Kellie Shirley
Mr Brownlow/Workhouse Inmate No. Six/A Workhouse Boy/A Mourner/The Chairman of the Workhouse Board: Thomas Wheatley
Rose Brownlow/Workhouse Inmate No. One/Charlotte/A Boy in Fagin's Gang/A Member of the Workhouse Board/A Workhouse Boy/Bystander No. One: Louise Yates
Mrs Corney later married to Mr Bumble/Bystander No. Two: Brigid Zengeni
Director: Neil Bartlett
Designer: Rae Smith
Lighting: Paule Constable
Sound: Nick Manning
Music: Gerard McBurney
Musical Director: Simon Deacon
Movement: Struan Leslie
2004-05-10 13:23:53