Lionel Bart's Oliver! - 4 out of 5 stars
Marie Clark Musical Theatre
TICKETS: https://events.humanitix.com/oliver-mcmt-2026/tickets
MCMT’s Lionel Bart's Oliver brings together a company of more than 40 performers, including two youth casts. It’s a sizeable undertaking for the Arts Theatre stage, but one that signals their continued investment in Adelaide’s theatre scene.
Following the success of Bonnie & Clyde,
director Lucy Trewin returns with Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, joined by co-director
and choreographer Eloise Morris and musical director Jaxon Joy. Together, they
helm this ambitious production.
Each cast member gets an opportunity to have their moment in
the spotlight, but they also sound clean and crisp in their vocals, thanks to
Joy’s work, ensuring harmonies are tight, while Morriss’ choreography is
spit-spot and energetic throughout all the big numbers. The opening number,
“Food, Glorious Food” gives the audience an idea what they are in for, and many
of the big musical numbers follow through suitably.
Joy’s 15-piece orchestra are hidden away behind the set, yet
remain tight and in tune throughout, playing steadfastly through Lionel Bart’s
orchestration. Joy is additionally credited for the many sound effects heard
throughout the production, furthering to the soundscape experience.
The effective use of the Arts Theatre’s two curtains give
variety to the varying scenes played out in front of the proscenium, allowing
time for the backstage crew to set the next scene, furthering the pacing
comment.
Adam Goodburn as Fagin is as Fagin should be: the mismatched
paternal figure to the children of the London streets. Goodburn has a spritely
step in his movements that is suitable for his character consistently
throughout the production. Equally, he has decided upon some great character
choices that enable his story to be further told through his songs.
Sarah Hamilton as Nancy blows the socks off the audience in
her performances of As Long As He Needs Me, and its Reprise. Contrastingly,
Hamilton delivers just as a clever performance in the likes of I’d Do Anything
and Oom-Pah-Pah. Her abusive relationship with Sykes is gut-wrenching to watch
as it’s played out with full effect, proving she’s not just a one-trick pony.
While Brad Tucker’s Bill Sykes delivers some dark humour
with his interaction with Fagin in his first scene, it’s his “My Name” in Act
Two that elicits fear from those on stage and in the audience. Through his
interactions with Nancy, Fagin and eventually Oliver, we cement the anger and
disgust toward Sykes, and it becomes inevitable that Tucker has done a
marvellous job!
Aliyah Goodburn’s Bet gets the opportunity to showcase her
solo vocal ability twice in Act 1 - “It’s A Fine Life” and “I’d Do Anything”. She
puts meaning into her character choices opposite those she shares the stage
with and is someone who is confident in her actions and reactions.
Kim Clark and Jen Edwards as Mr Bumble and Widow Corney are
a comical duo that springs laughter and cringe to their characters. Clark’s
performance in the opening scene creates the strong atmosphere the show brings
for the next 2.5 hours.
Nic Equid and Ruby Pinkerton as Mr and Mrs Sowerberry are
the undertakers that purchase Oliver. Albeit a mistake soon realised, Equid and
Pinkerton work well together and bounce off each other naturally. Pinkerton’s
performance in That’s Your Funeral is brilliant to watched time and time again.
Felix Setchell’s and Olivia Tod’s Noah and Charlotte are minor
but remain effective ensemble members. As Noah and Charlotte, they pop up again
here and there – keep an eye out for them. Setchell and Tod play some fun
characters well and bounce off each other with ease.
Dickens Youth Cast: Saturday 20th 1:30pm
Patrick Green, as Oliver is well presented in character and
has a soft yet sincere voice. He plays amicably well and without fear opposite
his peers and the seasoned cast members.
Alix Davis as the Artful Dodger is delightfully mischievous
and plays the part superbly well. He commands the stage in his opening scene à
la Willy Wonka style, in character, vocals and movement. With a rich accent,
Davis remains clear in his diction and has a sense of belonging among the other
pickpockets.
Among the ever-talented pool of youth ensemble members, a
couple of shoutouts need to go to Nola Owen-Blazewicz for “Consider Yourself
(Reprise)”, and Evie Dew both as Charley Bates and the Youth Dance Captain delivering
consistent energy and agency in her performance. Other members of the Dickens
Youth Ensemble, equally deserving of being mentioned include Jacqueline and
Jonathan Siow, Leo Dew, Owen Wu, Penelope Natt and Sassika Bentley.
Bart Youth Cast: Saturday 20th 7:30pm
Sid Ion as Oliver delivers a magnetic performance, truly showing the breadth of his knowledge and understanding of the titular character. His opening number in the undertaker’s shop, “Where Is Love” melts hearts, and we know we’re in for a good show. Ion ensures his character choices are seen and heard throughout the production.
Jack Pipprell’s
Artful Dodger is sly, cunning, and consistently engaging to watch, brought to
life with a confident sense of character and stagecraft. He commands the space
around him with ease, demonstrating a strong awareness of both movement and
timing, ensuring his presence is felt, while maintaining the Dodger’s playful
authority within the group.
While the Dickens youth cast have an older clan, the Bart
youth cast looks younger, yet doesn’t lack in talent. Lucy Harry as Nipper does
a solid job with “Consider Yourself (Reprise)”, as does Georgie Stelzer
as Charlie. Other members of the Bart Youth Ensemble are Ava Clark, Estelle
Kouzapa, Lucas Mentha, Marlo Bellison, Sebastian Pidd and Zach McAllister.
Equally deserving a mention as the Youth Ensemble is the
Adult Ensemble, featuring Deborah Proeve and Kyle Wilhelm as Dance Captains,
alongside Andrew Winter, Cate Cromb, David Kilsby, Hannah Vandervlag, Leah
Broxton, Vic Tallis, and Zachary Baseby.
Oliver! remains a timeless classic, but MCMT’s 2026
production proves exactly why it continues to endure. With a stellar cast and creative
team at the helm, this iteration balances tradition with thoughtful theatrical
choices that connects to contemporary audiences.
- Andrew Broadbent
Comments
Post a Comment