Oliver play hits the mark

Protea Stage Productions opening night of the play, “The Musical Adventures of Oliver Twist”, on Friday, at Tom Newby School welcomed a full house attendance.

Director Michael Shane Brownhill applauds his cast for the wonderful production.

Guests were welcomed at the entrance with snacks and drinks which they were allowed to take into the hall to enjoy at a table seating while watching the play.

The cast was not afraid to “break-a-leg” by going all out to entertain the audience with dance, music and acting.

The changes of scenes were expeditious which made it difficult to remember that this was a stage production, not a movie.

With a cast of more than 60 people (80 per cent being children), director Michael Shane Brownhill did not fail to keep everyone in tune with their lines and acting.

Although the actors, actresses, director and music director, Camilla Kinman, must have had shot nerves, it was not portrayed in the acting or production of the show.

“The show is a musical take of the classic story of the Charles Dickens novel, ‘Oliver Twist’,” said Brownhill.

“It is set in 1800s England, and follows Oliver Twist, an orphan who resides in a workhouse after his mother died, along with the other workhouse children; he longs to go to London to seek his fortune.”

One day Oliver, played by Jamie Truby, gathers the courage to ask for more food at dinner time which result in him being chased by workhouse staff, and he escapes.

He then travels to London to seek the fortune he dreams of, but instead, encounters two pickpockets who introduce him to their master.

In his first encounter as a pickpocket, Oliver is caught by Mr Brownlow, whose pockets were picked.

He is then taken pity on by the wealthy man and moves in with him.

But the master of the pickpockets wants Oliver back because he knows too much about their business, the workhouse staff wants him back and a mystery woman also tracks Oliver’s whereabouts to destroy proof of his heritage, which he is yet to discover.

This story dramatises the life of a young boy who is wanted by none and then wanted by everyone, a young boy who needs to decide whether to follow the path of honesty or live the life of a thief.

The production kept all, young and old, enthralled until the end.

If you have not yet watched the production, it is not too late.

The play will run every Friday and Saturday night at 7.30pm, and on Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2.30pm, until June 26.

Ticket prices are R60 for adults and R40 for children under the age of 12 and pensioners.

For tickets, email to admin@proteastage.org.za, or contact Brownhill on 082 877 5832.