CURTAIN CALL REVIEW

‘OLIVER’

Portsmouth Players

Kings Theatre, Southsea

ANY Charles Dickens novel performed, as this was, a short distance from his birthplace forms a unique connection and the wonderfully atmospheric old theatre provided the perfect backdrop for the dark, brooding, tone of the story. The young boy playing Oliver (either Casper Horn or Marley Young) acquitted himself well alongside a strong adult cast, in particular Kayleigh Pendry who acted dramatically and sang emotionally as Nancy, Nigel James as Fagin and Chris Murray as Bill Sykes. The supporting cast all did well and the ensemble was of a high quality, featuring strongly on composer Lionel Bart’s numbers such as Oom-Pah-Pah and Who Will Buy. The bought-in set looked good and was well-lit, the sound was crystal-clear throughout and the costumes were impressive. Sarah Louise Day directed and choreographed and, together with Musical Director Darren Alderton, the rapturous audience reaction will have been affirmation of their great expectations for the show.

Alan Johns