The Sunday Times Mirror - Humming to the tunes of Oliver!

Oliver has got to be one of the most exploited, abused, and generally mistreated little orphans in the whole history of literature… and that, you will agree is saying a lot. (In fact, if it weren’t for the happy ending, Oliver would have me wringing out my handkerchief and fervently vowing to dedicate my life to serving the poor.) However, fortunately, or unfortunately as the case may be, the Oliver in Oliver! while inspiring my tear ducts to produce unnatural quantities of salty water, it is also likely to have me humming along in the back row.

It helps considerably that Director Jerome de Silva knows what he’s doing.

This quality, I will have you know, is a rare and vastly underrated trait. You see, Jerome believes not in razzle dazzle, but in solid performances that are supported by excellent lighting, stages and costumes.

Naturally, this would not be possible without a talented, dedicated cast, which we are happy to say that Oliver! does indeed have. The likes of the superb Manoj Singanayagam and flamboyant Shanuki De Alwis slip easily into the roles of Fagin and Nancy respectively, while other well known performers such Mario De Soyza, Samantha and Sanith D.S Wijeratne, Anushka Pereira, Dominic Keller, Ashan Dias and Prasad Periera among others give very creditable performances. Impossible to omit, of course are the group of 50-odd children in the cast. Accompanied by spoons, bowls, fruit baskets and freshly picked wallets, this noisy lot seem set to have the time of their lives singing, dancing and acting their hearts out.

That having been said, there is the little matter of great music, lighting, costumes and of course, the revolving stage! This is not the first time they will be using the latter, but nevertheless an innovative stage setup promises to give the audience a spectacle worth watching.

If the name Oliver! doesn’t ring any musical bells in your head, have no worries. Surein De Silva Wijeratne, assistant director for Oliver! points out that not only are you bound to have heard the music somewhere, someplace, but also that the 20 songs are wonderfully direct and simple... tunes that you’re going to catch yourself humming in the bathroom, in other words.

All the singers are backed by beautiful tracks which accompanied the rights to stage Oliver! says Surein.

Not only is the acting worth appreciating, so is the singing. Strong voices, soaring and dipping as they express a range of emotions from despair to joy, are one of the best parts of the production.

The children in particular make for a robust and melodic chorus, belting out classics such as “Food, Glorious Food,” and coming in strongly on others such as “Consider Yourself.”

For Shanuki who plays the vibrant, streetwise Nancy, the music of Oliver! is rich with emotion. She explains how songs such as the favourite “As Long As He Needs Me,” give the audience real insight into Nancy’s character, whom Shanuki describes as the ‘tart with a heart.’ Manoj who does a delightful portrayal of Fagin, makes his mark on songs such “Gotta Pick a Pocket Or Two”; he also has a Jewish accent down pat. It’s all in the ‘th’s and the ‘dh’s he assures me; and oh yes, you have to roll the ‘r’s. As in Nancy’s case, Fagin’s songs too provide many an unexpected insight into his character. His doubts about his life and where he’s heading for instance are made clear on the song “Reviewing The Situation.”

Interestingly, this is not the first time Jerome is directing a production of Oliver! It was his directorial debut in ‘79 and he staged it again in ’84. He’s been in the business for nearly 37 years now. Over time he says he has learnt discipline and honed his skills as a director. Jerome explains that he has learnt never to overwhelm his cast (or his audience), or to lose himself in the grandeur of some personal, unattainable vision.

The result? A world class production. You might not realise it, but a musical, even more than a play, is a work of high art. Consider the fine balancing act required so that each element complements the other instead of sticking out like a metal-head at a Britney Spears concert.

The truth is that I haven’t gone near the book since they forced me to read it sometime in the mercifully hazy years of my past. But I already know the musical is going to be an entirely different kettle of fish. Entertainment value aside, Jerome points out that Oliver! still has a very beautiful and relevant social message. It seems that this is a musical with real soul – one that will leave you with a song in your heart, a smile on your lips and a deeper appreciation for what it is like to be alone and helpless in a rather cruel world.

Oliver! by Lionel Bart will be performed at the Lionel Wendt Theatre from October 13 – 22. Tickets are available at the Lionel Wendt from the October 2.Cargills Food city are the main sponsors of the event, while Dialogue GSM comes in as a co-sponsor.