Theatre Review: Oliver! - Edinburgh Playhouse ✭✭✭✭✭
No matter how old you are or whether
you go by yourself or take the whole family along, Oliver!, directed by
Laurence Connor, is a fantastic show which wows the audience.
The impressive set dominates the whole
stage and seamlessly transforms into every location, such as the dingy
workhouse, Fagin’s den and the bustling market streets, which often include
iconic London landmarks including St Paul’s Cathedral and London Bridge. Each individual piece of set pays close attention to detail and
perfectly captures Victorian London.
Brian Conley’s comical portrayal of
Fagin received a warm welcome from the audience and he instantly became the
‘loveable rogue’. With his exaggerated
facial expressions, gruff voice, and costume, Conley was both engaging and brilliant
to watch.
Cat Simmons’ Nancy was feisty and
quite at home in the pub singing ‘Oom-pah-pah’, yet her vulnerability was
revealed in her outstanding performances of ‘As long as he needs me’. Iain Fletcher as Bill Sikes was dark, creepy
and threatening drawing plenty of boos from the audience.
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| Photograph by Alistair Muir |
Although, on occasion, the dialogue was
not free flowing, every song was performed flawlessly with fast-paced and
contemporary choreography created by Matthew Bourne. In particular, ‘Consider Yourself’
was an exciting and eye catching performance that maintains its place as a
theatre audience favourite.
Both Oliver (Harry Polden) and the
Artful Dodger (Max Griesbach) fitted their roles perfectly. Polden captured the innocence and sweetness of
Oliver with his angelic vocals. In
contrast to Oliver, Griesbach’s Artful Dodger was cheeky and comical, allowing
him to gel with Conley superbly.
The comical and quirky relationships
between Jack Edwards as Mr Bumble and Suzie Chard as Mrs Bumble, along with
David Langham as Mr Sowerberry and CJ Johnson as Mrs Sowerberry were brilliant
to watch too.
This wonderful production of the much loved musical is not to be missed so go consider
yourself at home at the Edinburgh Playhouse this June and we guarantee you'll leave asking for more.
Review by Mhairi Greer
PERFORMANCES
Until Sat 23rd June
