Autumn 2003: Oliver

Lionel Bart: Oliver! Directed by Angela Robinson, in conjunction with the International School of Basel. In January's Newletter, Angela wrote:

"The committee have been planning towards this musical for seemingly ages, but here we are in 2003 already and it happens this year!

Charles Dickens created Oliver Twist - the poor orphan who had the nerve to ask for more. Dickens, the great 19th Century social novelist, wrote the book Oliver Twist as his protest against the workhouse system and the existence of poverty as it was known in his day.

Lionel Bart, from this world famous story, created a musical full of memorable songs and brought to life on the stage Dickensian characters that are household names - Fagin, the Artful Dodger, Nancy, Bill Sykes, Mr Bumble. The spirit of the book is largely there, but Bart did not write a socially meaningful stage show for the simple reason that there were no longer the same ills and wrongs to expose as there were in Victorian England. Most of the characters remain basically the same as those Dickens created - Nancy, Oliver and Mr Brownlow are all good, while Bill Sykes is all bad. But we do not hate or despise Bart’s Fagin as Dickens wanted us to. The Bart Fagin is a loveable rogue, giving the show much of its humour. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens may have stirred many Victorian consciences, but Oliver! by Lionel Bart can only give enormous enjoyment. In an atmosphere of colour, music and laughter, Lionel Bart takes us through a Cinderella-like story with memorable songs like the rousing Food,Glorious Food, the haunting Boy for Sale, the touching Where is Love?, the heart-rending As Long AsHe Needs Me. Anyone who knows the show has their own favourite among the many musical numbers: Consider Yourself, Pick a Pocket or Two, It's a Fine Life, I'd do Anything, Be Back Soon, Oom-Pah-Pah, Who Will Buy and Reviewing the Situation. My personal favourites, however, are the three songs not included in the film version: I Shall Scream, It’s Your Funeral and Bill Sykes’ threatening My Name.

Because of the number of children needed for this show we approached the International School of Basel, who agreed to a joint production. This means we will only use children from ISB for the children’s chorus and we will most likely perform in the hall of their new school in Reinach sometime in autumn of this year. For the rest of the cast we need at least a dozen adults, of various ages, who should be reasonably tuneful! One of the joys of this musical show is that it can be sung by competent rather than trained voices. There is also room for a few non-singers.

It is a wonderful show, which will take a lot of effort and I know exactly how much work is involved, having directed the show twice before. We may only be in January now, but I wouldlike to start recruiting already. At this stage I would like to hear from anyone who would like to take part in the production in any way, on or off stage, but especially anyone keen to help with stage design or music. Please contact me on <telephone number removed> or <email address removed> It will be enormous fun."