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Macclesfield Express

OLIVER (1971)

"This production of 'Oliver' can have no rivals."

Anyone who saw the filmed version of Lionel Bart's "Oliver" and then visited Macclesfield's Majestic Theatre this week for the first staged production of the new Majestic Theatre Group, could not help but mentally compare the two. For its sheer professionalism' the filmed version must be ranked the higher, but as a display of local talent vocal, instrumental and choreographic this week's production of Oliver by the Majestic Theatre Group must surely have few rivals.

The group was founded just over a year ago, and when Oliver was chosen for its first production, over 120 people auditioned for less than half that number of parts. Rehearsals took place in the Baptist School room, St. George's Street three times each week over the past three months. and the backstage staff have also been extremely busy decorating the Majestic's dressing rooms and backstage areas. The old stables at the side of the building have been converted into workshops where sets have been constructed.

Ample evidence of the hard work taking place behind the scenes was present in the excellence of the scenery and costumes - the former by Peter Nixon, and the latter by Doris Patterson and Annie Nixon. The sets always provided sufficient background, yet they never cluttered the stage and allowed the performers complete freedom of movement, which, when as many as sixty people are on stage at the same time, is essential. The costumes were contemporaneous with the London of the 1850's. Deliberately shabby though they sometimes were, they looked as though they had been made for the wearer, not like hand me-downs from other productions.

In the title role was John C. Morris, aged 11, who with his angelic features and sweet treble was admirably cast.

Glyn Taylor's Mr. Bumble was a well-defined character with a fine baritone voice and Pat Penney, who played his Wife, Widow Corney, was a convincing dragon. Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry, the undertaker and his wife, played by Brian Stewart and Sheila McDiarmid, dueted amusingly in "It’s Your Funeral" and were supported in their comedy duet, by Deirdre Crooks, as Charlotte, and Paul Connor, as Noah Claypole. Robert Hopkins' Artful Dodger was lively and cheeky, and Colin Read's Fagin, complete with Cockney-Jewish-German accent, was a creditable imitation of Ron Moody.

The undoubted heroine of the piece, and a great favourite with the audience, was Susan Lancaster, as Nancy, ably assisted by Carol Payne, as Bet. They quickened the pace at each appearance on stage and put verve and vitality into each dance routine. An original interpretation of the villainous Bill Sykes as given by Andrew Verdeille, who managed to instil comedy as well as villainy into the piece. Mr. Brownlow, Mrs. Bedwin, Dr. Grimwig and Old Sally were played. respectively by Brian Stewart, Rosa Lee, Grant Turner and Carol Taylor.

The workhouse boys and Fagin's gang were played by: M. Barratt, J. Cotterill, W. Francis, M. Hannah, M. Lawrence, H. Marland, D. McIntyre, J. McIntyre, B. Smith, L. Stewart. R. Stoneley, K. 'Taylor, J. Walker and L. Sandoval.

Londoners were played by: Pauline Baxendale, Deirdre Crooks, Mary Cunningham, Joy Farmer, Rosa Lee, Jenifer Mar Lord, Brenda Mackintosh, Vilma Mellor, Anne Moores, Sheila McDiarmid. Dorothy Pomfret, Sheila Rose, Lyn Shuker, Carol Taylor. Julia Tomkinson, Lynne Walton, George Brown, Paul Connor, Tom Farmer. Stanley Jones, Lew Pritchard, Tony Rose, George Stoneley, Wilfred Swann, Bill Thompson Grant Turnel, and Stanley Wild.
Among the Londoners in the scene outside Mr. Brownlow's home, the nameless soprano who sang "Who Will Buy My Sweet Red Roses?" was outstanding.

Dancers were-Elizabeth Baxendale, Kathryn Baxendale, Carole Barber, Ellaine Bellerby, Julie Davidson, Elizabeth O'Donovan and Laura and Jane Oldfield.

Lighting controller was Ron Knight, sound controller was John Merriman. stage staff were Bert Goddard, Derick Massey, Martin Smith, Fred Amos, Mike Brettal, Bob Morris, Bernard Lancaster and Leo Donnelly. Rehearsal accompanists were Gladys Read, Shirley Morris and John Moss. In charge of publicity were Gina and Pete Nixon and the Majestic Cinema, and in charge of make up were Anne Ryder, Frank ,Johnson, Stanley Wilde and John H. Palin.

For the Majestic Cinema, director/secretary was Peter W. Higginbotham, house manager was Derrick Thorley and electricians were Arthur Woolrich and Derek Farr.

The show was produced by John H. Palin. - JEAN ELLIS.