REVIEW: Oliver – at the Forum Theatre, Malvern, on Tuesday, August 18 and Wednesday, August 19, 2015.

THERE’S just no holding the Malvern Young Theatre Company whose musical productions appear to get better year on year no matter what challenge they face.

A couple of years back Les Miserables could easily have been a test too far but they passed with flying colours. Jesus Christ Superstar was a hugely enjoyable show too last year and now 2015’s Oliver has notched up another splendid success.

Full of vitality the cast of over 60 - with ages ranging from eight to 21 - provided further logistical challenges but what a polished and professional performance from all.

Director Andy Reiss had clearly drilled his young charges well and they responded in style, all of which was enriched by the efforts of choreographer Katie Leeming and musical director David Lane as the musical arrangements of Lionel Bart were done full justice.

As Oliver rises from rags to riches there were a number of stand-out performances in a cast where there didn’t appear to be any weak links.

Nicholas Wilson offered innocence and hope in equal measure in the title role while Max Morgan’s Dodger was a rascally buy loveable street-wise urchin. Two commendable voices here.

There were powerful voices elsewhere with quality performances from Grace Harris (Nancy) and Lewis Allan (Bill Sikes), but if a hat - unlike his own - has to be taken off it would be to tilt it towards Jacob Buckley’s brilliant Fagin.

Confident, magnificently comedic and this young man can also sing.

Impressive offerings too from Jake Kipping as Mr Bumble and Aimee Pitt’s Widow Corney - especially there teasing and provocative duet on I Shall Scream!

There was quality in abundance from the main company through to the gang and the orphans, and a few little gems here and there such as Emily Chambers (Mrs Bedwin). Perhaps worthy of more than just one number.

The expertise of Malvern Theatre’s technical team splendidly re-created the dubious delights of Dickensian London and, with speedy changes and a scenic back-drop portraying the capital’s skyline, it superbly served as the hideaway for Fagin’s gang, a market place, the workhouse, funeral parlour and the home of Oliver’s eventual saviour Mr Brownlow.

The opening number - Food Glorious Food - usually sets the tone for the show. Carry that off well and show is set to soar - so well done to the bowl-bashing Workhouse orphans for their verve in getting the audience instantly on-side .

Food can be glorious and this show - which had all the necessary oomph, certainly was!

Please, can we have some more?