MEDIA INFORMATIONMEDIA INFORMATION10 November 2003
Oxford Operatic Society brings the streets of 19th-Century London to the Oxford Playhouse stage in its musical adaptation of Oliver Twist in the week commencing 24 November.
Oxford audiences will have the chance to experience the journey of Oliver, an orphan boy, who escapes from the cheerless life of the workhouse. Oliver is taken in by a group of street urchins, headed by the lovable villain Fagin, his loyal apprentice The Artful Dodger and the ruthless Bill Sykes. As he is educated in the finer points of pick-pocketing Oliver leads us on a journey in search of love, belonging and honour among thieves. The show features a 43-strong cast made up of Oxford Operatic Society members and includes guest performances from 12 talented local Oxfordshire boys who form Fagin's gang of pick pockets.
Joseph Harrison, aged 10, who attends Botley County Primary School, plays Oliver. He started performing at an early age and has appeared in a number of shows at the Oxford Playhouse and the New Theatre. Sebastian Heffer, aged 13, and a pupil at Gosford Hill School, Kidlington, plays The Artful Dodger. This is his second performance with the Oxford Operatic Society; in 1999 he formed a member of the children’s chorus in Carmen. Auditions for Oliver, The Artful Dodger and Fagin’s gang of pick-pockets were advertised in local schools and drama clubs and over 60 boys responded. Other principal roles include Nancy, played by Isobel McCall, Fagin, played by Edward Simpson and Bill Sykes, played by Charlie Ross.
Oliver is an uplifting family show set to a heartfelt score that include favourites such as "Consider Yourself", "Where Is Love?", "It’s a Fine Life" and "As Long As He Needs Me". Oxford Operatic’s production is directed by Stephanie Williams, with musical direction from Michael Evans.
Commenting on the show, Stephanie Williams, director, said: "We’re thrilled to be presenting one of the best loved British musicals of all time. Working with a cast of both children and adults has been very exciting. We’ve had a fantastic response from the public to the show and it’s going to be wonderful to have such a large audience for this, our annual autumn production.”
Performances start at 7.30pm, Monday to Saturday, and on Saturday the matinee performance starts at 2.30pm. For further information about ticket prices and to make bookings please contact the Oxford Playhouse on 01865 305305.
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The Oxford Operatic Society is a friendly amateur society with over 70 members. It has been in existence since 1946. For much of that time the Society performed in the Oxford Playhouse, putting on two productions a year, one in the spring and one in the autumn.
The society aims to cater for a variety of tastes and its repertoire extends from Gilbert & Sullivan, operetta and occasionally even opera, to modern American and British musicals.
For further information please contact pressoffice@oxfordoperatic.co.uk