Preparations have been under way over the last few weeks in St Joseph’s Secondary School Castlebar for this years transition year musical production, Lionel Bart’s musical, Oliver. This show has had a recent West End revival, thanks to last years BBC talent show, I’d do anything and the girls at St Jo’s, already familiar with the songs from the TV show and the film, are delighted to be putting on their own Oliver performance
The story is loosely based on the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist and follows the story of an orphan boy, Oliver in his quest to find his family. It is set in the colourful and atmospheric world of Dickensian London, and takes us from the dank and dirty workhouse where we first meet Oliver to the criminal underworld of Fagin, the Artful Dodger, Bill Sykes and Nancy and all the other vagabonds, ruffians and scoundrels. Along the way the story of Oliver takes many a twist and turn and keeps the audience in suspense until the last moment. The show has humour, pathos, great dance routines and a score of unforgettable scores and tunes, such as “I’d do Anything”, “Food, Glorious Food”, “Where is Love”, and “You’ve got to Pick a Pocket or Two”.
The show is produced by Ms Marianne Jordan and the musical director is Ms Deirdre Lee, ably assisted by the school orchestra and Tom Lyons (guitar ), Mick Buckton (bass guitar ) and Séan Burke (drums ). Choreography: Ms Hazel McGlynn, art and set design: Ms Ruth Flannelly and Ms Alfreeda Courtney, costumes: Ms Mairiam McDermot and Ms Lorraine Carey. Main cast: Oliver (Rebecca Timlin ), Fagin (Aoife Lally ), Artful Dodger (Deirdre Noonan ), Nancy (Maeve Lavelle ), Bill Sykes (Emma Walshe ), Mr. Bumble(Sophie Barnes ), Widow Corney (Laura Mahon ), Norah Claypole (Martina Garvey ), Charlotte (Maria Fahey ), Mr Sowerberry (Emma Jane McHale ). The production is a result of a huge team effort both by the teaching staff and the very able and talented transition year students who are putting everything into the show to ensure its success and to provide a great night’s entertainment for the school, parents and the local community. So please come along and support the show and we can guarantee a great nights entertainment for all.
St Joseph’s Secondary School transition year production of Oliver: Tuesday and Wednesday December 2 and 3 in the Royal Theatre Castlebar. Tickets €20 for adults and €15 students and senior citizens. Tickets available from the school or the Royal Theatre box office.
