​Glorious production is a triumph

In reviewing the situation, sixth former EMILIA SAMPLE declares RGS’s production of Oliver! a glorious triumph

A HUGE cast and crew of students across all age groups wowed audiences in a glorious production of the celebrated musical, Oliver!

During this spectacular sold-out four-night run, the streets of Victorian London came to life on Ripon Grammar School’s stage, where magnificent songs and powerful characters made it a 5-star show to remember.

Based on Charles Dickens’s novel Oliver Twist, Oliver! follows the journey of a young orphan who escapes a grim workhouse in search of a better life.

Along the way, he encounters a colourful cast of characters, from the mischievous Artful Dodger to the villainous Bill Sikes.

Featuring well known songs such as Food, Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, and As Long As He Needs Me, the musical balanced humour with emotional depth.

With fast-paced ensemble numbers, intricate harmonies, and scenes that shift quickly between humour and heartbreak, the show presented a considerable challenge – and one which the whole team embraced wholeheartedly.

Two casts alternated the principal roles, with Oliver, a character whose innocence and quiet resilience anchor the entire story, beautifully portrayed by James Hallam and Xander Galloway-Gee.

In contrast, Bill Sikes, played by Drayton Pitt, loomed as a dark, intimidating figure, an appropriately unsettling presence on stage, demonstrating just the correct amount of control and restraint to convey a constant sense of threat.

Bobbi Todd and Emilia Sample took on the challenge of balancing moments of tenderness with devastating emotional intensity as Nancy, both displaying the vocal strength and dramatic maturity necessary for the role.

William Parkes and William Keens brought their own personal touch to the role of Fagin, one of the musical’s most complex and morally ambiguous figures, a charismatic thief whose humour masks a deeply cynical world view.

While the talented 40-strong cast shone on stage, our backstage crew and technical team of 12 kept everything - from lighting, make-up, props and sound - running smoothly from the wings.

From the grime of the workhouse to the treasure trove of Fagin’s Lair and the the majesty of the city skyline, the stunning set successfully transported us to the world of Dickens’s novel.

The overall effect of the music is spellbinding, it’s the pulsing backbone of the show which ties everything together, with our marvellous orchestra, consisting of 20 student musicians, rising to the challenge of mastering professional orchestral parts, ensuring the sound soared night after night.

In addition to Holly Craven as choreographer, Year 12 student Rosie Menzer also assisted with direction and choreography.

Musical director Michael Barker said: “We decided to undertake Oliver! this year as a contrast to the darker musicals we have done over the past years such as Sweeney Todd, Beauty and the Beast and Little Shop of Horrors.

“The music appeals to us as we can pull together our strong orchestral instrumentalists for the orchestra, and we wanted to open it up to younger members who will be our stars of the future and give them a taste of how a full production works.

“This amazing student orchestra is 20-strong and consists of students from Years 8 to 13. There are no easier versions of these shows, so students are presented with professional orchestral parts, and they always rise to the challenge.

“We were delighted at the number of students who came to audition and although we couldn’t give everyone a place, we were able to double the cast and give students a real chance to shine in a variety of roles.”

A triumph!