Oliver Twist

It’s a brave choice to stage Oliver Twist when you have the
highly publicised Cameron Mackintosh production playing just down the
road. And if high kicks and good ol’ cockney spirit is what you’re
after then you’d best stick with the Drury Lane production as you won’t
find much of that down at Riverside Studios.

Love & Madness’ production is far more true to Dickens’
original, though that’s not to say that it’s without laughs, and
Abigail Anderson’s pacey and energetic direction is perfect for a
production which is ideally suited to a younger audience.

The cast of five are suitably OTT in their presentation of Dickens’
larger than life characters, yet their performances remain truthful and
do not patronise. A grotesque Mr Bumble (Simon Yadoo), a troubled Nancy
(Lucia McAnespie) with a heart of gold and a Dodger (Cary Crankson) who
sounds like he hangs out with the kids of today remind us why this
story remains enduringly popular. Although be warned – the brutal
murder of Nancy is not for the faint-hearted.

The problem lies in the fact that this production is essentially
geared towards children and yet is playing to an adult audience (in an
evening slot and in rep with La Ronde). Whilst an older audience will still gain enjoyment the production lacks a requisite level of sophistication.

Children and teenagers will delight in the re-telling of this
classic and it could be especially popular with those studying the text
at school. However if Riverside Studios want its audience asking for
“more” they’ll need to reconsider their scheduling of such a production
as most adult audiences will need something a little more filling.

– Rachel Sheridan