Fresh from the press...

Preview: Oliver

[Taken from The Press website]

All the gang is here.

The York Stage Musicals cast is complete for its September production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! at the Grand Opera House, York. The role of gang boss Fagin goes to James Fackrell, who played Galileo in the company’s 2007 production of We Will Rock You and Uncle Ernie in The Who’s Tommy last year.

James has starred professionally in shows such as West Side Story since training at the Northern Ballet School. Already he is preparing for September’s show by growing his beard into a Fagin-like point.

“It’s not the most attractive look but will certainly add authenticity to the role,” says James, whose next tonsorial twist will be to shave the top of his head to complete his miser look.

Emily Ramsden will star as Nancy. Emily only learned of the auditions for Oliver! after joining director Robert Readman’s company for next week’s northern premiere of Hairspray.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be debuting for York Stage Musicals playing Nancy”, says 16-year old Emily, who is described by Readman as being more “Jessie than Jodie”, for those familiar with the runner-up and winner of BBC1’s search for Nancy, I’d Do Anything.

“As Andrew Lloyd-Webber identified, the role of Nancy can easily be played by anyone aged 16 to 40,” says Robert.

“Emily has a maturity as a performer and a stage look that far exceeds her years. She also has an incredible singing voice, making her perfect for the role”. David Jarman, from Easingwold, can draw on his day job as an actor at York Dungeon to master the dark character of Bill Sikes. David, 24, was spotted by Robert first playing Sikes for the Easingwold Players last year. “He’s absolutely terrifying,” says the director.

Readman has cast John Hall and Juliet Waters as Mr Bumble and Widow Corney; Peter Marshall and Jessica Hardcastle as Mr and Mrs Sowerberry; Sophie Thompson as Bet; Sandy Nicholson as Mrs Bedwin; and Graeme Bilton as Dr Grimwig.

“The talent doesn’t end there. Oliver! is such a popular show to take part in that many ex-principals from previous shows have come forward to occupy roles in the ensemble,” says Robert.

Martin Lettin, Alex Papachristou, Stuart Rae, Liz Nicholson, Verity Carr and Vicki Lightfoot will be among those to make an appearance in Consider Yourself, Who Will Buy? and Oom-Pah-Pah.

Lewis Danby and Ashley Matthews will share the roles of Oliver and the Artful Dodger with Rhys Evans and Josh Benson on different nights.

Jolley Gosnold and Matthew Batten will share the part of Noah Claypole; Harriet Forgan will play Charlotte; and Reece McMahon will be Charlie Bates.

Looking forward to mounting Bart’s musical, Robert says: “It’s not always feasible to watch the West End versions of popular shows like Oliver!, so we want to offer York a night of familiar show tunes, loveable characters and a huge cast of 80 performers featuring the best of the city’s talent.”

• Oliver! will run from September 7 to 12 at the Grand Opera House, York, at 7.30pm nightly plus a 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Tickets cost £12 to £18 on 0870 606 3595 or via email to yorkboxoffice@LiveNation.co.uk  

03-08-2009 by Dan