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Macclesfield Express & Advertiser

"Oliver returns after 15 years"

....and look what it did for the stars of'71

WHAT price fame for the juvenile stars of the Majestic Theatre Group's "Oliver" which opens at the Macclesfield cinema on Monday?

No one could blame this year's Oliver, David Monk, for hoping that his career may follow a similar path to the M.T.G. 's Oliver of 1971, Jonathan Morris, who is currently appearing at the London Palladium.

And Malcolm Glen, Artful Dodger in the new production, could well be looking for inspiration to that other Dodger, Robert Hopkins, who appeared in the 1971 show.

Proving that amateur theatre really does provide the right sort of background for success on stage and screen Jonathan and Robert are both well on the way to the top. Fans of Carla Lane's recent hit T. V. series, "Bread" may have recognised Johnathan, in the part of Adrian. He is currently appearing on stage at the London Palladium with Denis Quilley in "La Cage Aux Folies. " And the training Robert Hopkins received in Macclesfield helped to' start him on a career which has included appearances in "Brideshead Revisited", "Barnum" and "Fidler on the Roof." Currently playing the lead in "Me and My Girl" on board the cruise liner "Canberra" which docks at Southampton this weekend Robert will travel to Macclesfield on Tuesday for a seat in the audience of the Majestic show.

Oliver returns

THE Majestic Theatre Group are bringing back the hit musical, 'Oliver,' to Macclesfield. And it is certain to be as popular with the Macclesfield public as it was back in 1971. Producer J. Hedley Palin and choreographer Jean Patterson and the cast, numbering over 60, are busy putting the final touches to the production, backed by the Majestic Orchestra conducted by Keith Yearsley.

Making his debut in the starring role of Oliver is David Monk, 11, of St. Austell Avenue, Macclesfield. And he will be doing all he can to stay out of the unplea'Sant clutches of Fagin, played by Chris Donnelly.

Playing his first principal role as the evil Bill Sykes is Maccslesfield Estate Agent, Tony Slater. And providing his comic foil as the cunning Artful Dodger is Malcolm Glen already well known for hsi appearances in the Bollington Festival Players.

Diane Mcintyre, who plays Nancy, is making her second appearance in the show. Fifteen years ago she appeared as one of the workhouse boys in the M.T.G.'s first production of the show.