I was very excited to receive an invitation to see this year’s offering for the festive season from Hull Truck Theatre on Ferensway. Truck’s festive productions are always excellent and great entertainment, so I went along last night to see how Oliver Twist would be.
I was treated to a fantastic, atmospheric, lyrical and emotional production. Based on the book by Charles Dickens, adapted by Deborah McAndrew and directed by Mark Babych (who directs some great shows).
The scene as the audience filed into the auditorium was a huge brick and concrete set, imposing and as cold as you imagine Dickens’ time would be. Clouds of smoke/steam escaped from vent holes in the street, and the sounds of a street scene were played in the background. It was all to set us in the right mood for the story.
The audience were treated to fantastic performances from all of the adult cast and the wonderful upcoming junior cast. Everyone played at least three parts and the costume changes were very effective. Can I give a special shout out to Alison Fitzjohn, who had the audience in stitches with her diction and over-exaggerated tongue movements. She speedily swapped from Mrs Sowerberry to Widow Corney to Mrs Bedwin with ease and lit up the stage every time she came on with her cheeky expressions.
Mr Bumble (Andrew Whitehead) was the Mr Bumble you imagine from the old movies of Oliver Twist. It was not just his costume; his frame and deportment made him the epitome of Bumble. He also played Grimwig and Mr Fang.
Each scene in the first half took us through the heartbreaking story of Oliver’s birth in the workhouse, the death of his sweet mother, and the cruelty the fellow orphans suffered under Mr Bumble. The selling of Oliver off to the coffin maker, and his escape to London to fall into the clutches of Dodger (Zak Robinson) and Fagin (Lisa Howard) and their gang of child pickpockets. Here the junior cast members excellently showed their skills in picking pockets and bringing the rewards back to Fagin.
The second act took us, via the very versatile scenery, to the street scene, the Magistrates’, Mr Brownlow’s residence and back to Fagin’s place, all with subtle additions to the fixed set – benches here and there, a carpet and bed, crates and tankards. It was all very realistic, and sat at the front I really felt immersed in the story.
Bill Sikes (Christopher D Hunt) was a menacing figure in stature and really imposed on the second act. The interactions with him and Nancy (Alyce Liburd), and Fagin and the boys and girls who worked for Fagin, were suitably frightening.
Thank goodness for a happy ending, with Oliver getting back to the care of Mr Brownlow (William Relton) and his niece Rose (Jessica Jolleys) after all that drama and swift character and scene changes.
Can I shout out Oliver from last night. It was either Sophia Pike or Vivienne Rowland, and they were excellent as the vulnerable youngster. They looked the part, they acted brilliantly and were a very believable Oliver. They tied all of their scenes together smoothly and fitted right in with the experienced adult cast members.
All in all, this was another hit for Hull Truck. Every year I don’t think they can top their productions, then they pull the cat out of the bag and surprise us with another festive production, which is great for those of us who are not ‘panto’ people. Don’t miss this production. It is fast-moving, with a very talented cast, and makes for a great evening out.
It is running until 4th January. Check dates, times and grab your tickets here.
