An excellent Oliver!

SIMADS have been to work again and their latest production of Oliver! was brilliant. The superb casting and power of the leads was just the right mixture. Oliver as the vulnerable young boy (we went to the Saturday matinee when Oliver was played by Grac

SIMADS have been to work again and their latest production of Oliver! was brilliant. The superb casting and power of the leads was just the right mixture. Oliver as the vulnerable young 'boy' (we went to the Saturday matinee when Oliver was played by Grace Mead), Nancy striking just the right balance between maternalism and villainy, Fagin fading into old age but remorseless, Bill Sykes (and his dog) portraying the heartless criminal and, of course, the Artful Dodger, full of charisma and rascally charm.

As ever, they were very well supported by street vendors; policemen; schoolgirls; workhouse children and Fagin's gang. It took some doing to choreograph the cast of nearly 70, but it worked successfully, fully using the available stage to great effect. Powerful and memorable music and seamless scene changes made sure the pace was maintained right into the last set, which was enhanced by a superb backdrop of the Houses of Parliament.

We took our nine-year-old grandson, Matthew, and here is what he had to say "The dog was well trained and not put off by the noise of the crowd. Everyone knew their parts very well. All the cast really stood out as the characters they were playing. Everyone knew their lines and cues. Oliver had such a good voice and the Artful Dodger was a likeable rogue."

Oliver! was the first SIMADS production I had been to, but it certainly won't be my last"

PETER BAKER

Redwell Close

St Ives