Students are hoping the audience will be left asking for more after the curtain comes down on their forthcoming performance of Oliver.
Fresh from becoming a centre of excellence by gaining the Arts Council’s ‘Artsmark Gold’ status, Ormiston Sudbury Academy is set to show off the talents of more than 100 students who will form the cast of the popular musical production.
In addition to the two-legged performers, a local dog has been cast in the role of ‘Bulls Eye’ the bull terrier. This follows the popularity of the academy’s sell out performance of ‘The Wiz’ last year, which featured a cute canine as Dorothy’s pet, Toto.
Oliver is a dramatic musical featuring the familiar songs of Lionel Bart and the characters of Dickens’ classic novel, Oliver Twist.
It tells the story of a young runaway orphan, Oliver, who escapes the workhouse to seek his fortune in London.
He meets and is recruited by the Artful Dodger, leader of a gang of young pickpockets, who takes him to the lair of his elderly trainer Fagin. Oliver’s life is further changed when he encounters career criminal Bill Sikes and his loyal companion, Nancy.
This year’s production sees many newcomers including Cory Willings, 13, as Oliver, Adam Wicks, 17, as the Artful Dodger, Jody Brown, 17, as Mr Bumble, Emilie Witt, 17, as Widow Corney and Sadie Napier, 17, as Nancy.
As part of their musical theatre course, some of the students were tasked with planning a marketing exercise to sell the show. Their efforts, including press releases, have been a big success with all three performances, on February 4, 5 and 6, already sold out.
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