Lucas Gregary as the Artful Dodger
Photo: David Cooper

 

Gateway Theatre
Lionel Bart’s OLIVER!
A musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist

Where & When December 12, 2024 - January 4, 2025, 7:30pm evenings + 1pm matinees | Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond

Director Josh Epstein Music Director Sean Bayntun Choreography Nicol Spinola Set Design Ryan Cormack Lighting Design Sophie Tang Costume Design Donnie Tejani Manager Mandy Huang

Reviewer John Anthony Jane


Oliver! based on the Charles Dickens classic novel Oliver Twist, is the magnum opus of Lionel Bart, a working class Jewish kid from London's East End, who alas, died destitute in 1999. It was a massive stage success almost as soon as it opened in London's theatre district over sixty years ago. It became the first British musical to be successfully exported to the ‘Great White Way’ despite (or maybe because of) the authentic Cockney accents.

This Gateway Theatre production of Oliver! is very much a romantic portrayal of the human conditions that prevailed among the pauper class in Victorian London. In this musical adaptation, Oliver Twist, though delightfully portrayed by twelve-year-old Rickie Wang, really becomes more of an adjuvant character - he doesn’t even get to sing the best songs – though his solo rendition of “Where is Love” is incredibly affecting.

There were some praiseworthy performances by theatre veterans as well as energetic performances by promising newcomers. Indeed, Oliver! is very much an ensemble piece – one of the reasons why it has been a popular project for high schools and dramatic arts colleges.

Anthony Santiago is outstanding as that grisly old reprobate Fagin, whose self-serving dogma negates any redeeming features he may have as a guardian or benefactor. Santiago's reading of Fagin is primarily comic – but definitely stops short of being cartoonish. Nonetheless, he manages to bring to the character a certain camp that has a perverse edge. Santiago turns the mischievous dial up a couple of notches with his renditions of "You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two" and is disarmingly wicked with “Reviewing the Situation." The Children who make up the spirited members of Fagin’s gang are well rehearsed and perform to the same high standard as the senior cast members.

The scene-stealer of the company is surely Lucas Gregory in the role of the street-wise pickpocket Artful Dodger. He is at his best when leading a preposterously well choreographed sing-along version of “Consider Yourself (one of us),” Victor Hunter and Cecilly Day play off each other to provide some knee-slapping humour as the blustery Bumble and the coy Widow Corney. There is a hilarious scene in the first act, where Bumble begins to make amorous advances after the orphans have been sent to bed; the coquettish widow feigns resistance, but ends up on Bumble's lap, when he eventually proposes.

Donnie Tejani’s authentic looking Victorian clothing is appropriate for the period and location of nineteenth century London. Ryan Cormack’s multi-purpose rotating set and Sophie Tang’s sublime lighting set up the distinction of social levels. The unseen orchestra led by Sean Bayntun does justice to Lionel Bart’s beautifully crafted melodies without ever overpowering the singers.

Josh Epstein has presented the faithful Gateway Theatre audiences with an outstanding seasonal entertainment that is (generally) suitable for the whole family. There are a couple of scenes that depict partner abuse, but fight coordinators Mike Kovac and Sylvie La Riviere handle it well. Parents escorting children (over ten) may need to explain why it’s essential to the story.

Oliver! is excellent musical theatre, yet like the novel that serves as its inspiration, it is at its core, a morality tale.

© 2024 John Anthony Jane