This festive season Leeds Playhouse reimagines Lionel Bart’s adaptation of Oliver! in the Quarry Theatre where Leo Owen caught the show

Bravely shying away from the obvious Dickens’ Christmas tale, Playhouse Director James Brining stages Bart’s take on Oliver Twist. Remaining very true to the award-winning 1968 film version, Brining opens with “Food, Glorious Food”, immediately showcasing the large number of child actors who make up the cast and introducing tonight’s Oliver, Nicholas Teixeira. At only nine years-old, Teixeira is extraordinary, bringing a tenderness and vulnerability to the role. His sensitive rendition of “Where is Love?” is one of the standout performances of the show. Other notable numbers include the full company with “Consider Yourself” that utilises the full performance space and Jenny Fitzpatrick as Nancy singing “As Long as He Needs Me”. Fitzpatrick commingles loyalty and defiance in a breath-taking emotionally raw solo.

As Mr Bumble and Widow Corney, Minal Patel and Rosie Ede are a superb comedy duo, from flirtatious singletons to bickering newlyweds. Alongside, Chris Bennett as an exceedingly menacing Bill Sikes, Harry Waller and Laura Cairns are fabulous antagonists playing Mr and Mrs Sowerberry.

Colin Richmond (Set and Costume Designer) transforming the Quarry into a Shakespearean theatre-in-the-round is a bold decision and immediately striking, seeking to create an immersive experience for the audience. Despite there being no space for the ensemble to hide, scene changes are impressively seamless, heavily relying on props and employing a series of connected jutting upper walkways. Richmond’s one constant being a plethora of gas lamps hanging above the stage, reminding us of its Victorian timeframe and paradoxically giving the show both a warmth and gloominess in keeping with its subject-matter.

A comforting familiar favourite for over half a century, Oliver! tempts audiences to singalong and Richmond’s colourful costumes coupled with Lucy Hind’s choreography make this all the more alluring. Brining’s decision to omit Nancy’s murder and perhaps Bill’s slightly cartoonish demise, appropriately meet the needs of the show’s family audience.

Celebrating community and resilience, it’s a fitting Christmas production, taking us into the resolutions of a new year. The standing ovation honouring the ensemble is testimony to its resounding success.

Oliver! shows at The Leeds Playhouse, November 24 2023 - January 27, 2024: https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/event/oliver/