BOOK MUSIC AND LYRICS – LIONEL BART
BASED ON CHARLES DICKENS’ OLIVER TWIST

SHOWING AUGUST 9-26 2006 at Stirling Festival Theatre

Directed and Choreographed by Caroline Smith
Music Director – Michael Lerner (Victor/Victoria)

STIRLING, ON - The story is internationally known as well as it’s fabulous musical score and lyrics continuously sampled though out time by not only advertisements but individuals can only give us a glimpse of how this adapted musical has enlightened so many lives within it’s existence. I’m positively sure there are not many people worldwide today who can say they don’t know who Oliver is. Whether or not they’ve read the classic novel written by Charles Dickens or have seen the movie/musical adaptation this century.
Oliver Twist has been adapted ever since it’s first publication in 1838, even by Charles Dickens himself who is known for traveling across America and England performing excerpts from his book bringing his glorious characters to life.

The most popular on stage version and first musical can be credited to Lionel Bart. Who not only enhances the well loved story by adding unforgettable lyrics and a forever moving score but creates and era giving the public yet another chance to experience a treasured and memorable masterpiece. Songs such as “Food, Glorious Food”, “Consider Yourself”, “I’d Do Anything” and “You’ve Got to Pick-a-Pocket” can and will stay in our hearts for a lifetime.

As Oliver goes from orphanage to the London streets we can not do we empathize with his innocent and impressionable character but we also grow to love even the villainous characters in this script. What other musical can you actually say your favorite character is the evil and ill headed Bill Sykes who is the result of injury and death or the witty and cunning Fagin who depends on thieving acts of vulnerable and desperate children? Though he does shortly decide he may want to change his ways but then starts,” Reviewing the Situation”.

And that’s why this story and musical is such a classic. These characters, Oliver, Fagin, the Artful Dodger and Nancy have become, overtime, infamous. Each audience member connecting with one or all of them.

The first time I saw Oliver! The Musical was at the McPherson Theatre in Victoria, BC 10 years ago. And both in British Columbia and Ontario I am extremely amazed at the talent within young performers. As a previous British Stagecoach Acting teacher I can honestly say that there is an excessive amount of talent in Stirling Festival Theatre’s Senior and Junior Young Company. I do remember that afternoon while watching the show, trying to find the actor portraying the Artful Dodger listed with the members of the Canadian Actors Equity Association.

All of the performers deserve credit for their character interpretations. I can now say I feel a sense of relief when I see Michael Lerner in the program as Musical Director after his amazing work in Victor/Victoria and the extremely brilliant Caroline Smith is and always will be an icon in Eastern Ontario Theatre.

From the entrance I felt a sense of community. The theatre was packed and the audience consisted of young children, young adults, older adults and even disabled members, but when the house lights went down and show started, the focus was on the extremely talented individuals telling us the classic tale of Oliver.

Geri Cummings