The Raglan Town Hall transformed into the foggy, cobblestoned streets of Victorian London for Raglan Theatre Academy’s world-class adaptation of Oliver Twist. Directed by Ruth Hare, creator and tutor, the production carried the same charm and attention to detail that audiences have come to expect from the Academy’s yearly shows.
Read more: Raglan Theatre Academy brings Victorian London to life in a captivating Oliver TwistOrphaned from birth, young Oliver Twist (Anatipa Tepania) enters the world, only to be sent immediately to the local workhouse. Here, soot-covered and starving, the workhouse children toil under the iron rule of Mrs Corney (Brooklyn Bayliss) and the menacing Mr Bumble (Zaira O’Donnell). Their threatening presence is softened only by their hilariously flirtatious exchanges, a running gag that drew laughs from the audience throughout the night.
When the children decide someone must bravely ask for more food, Oliver is chosen. His request leads to his swift sale to the Sowerberrys (Orion Saunders and Maya Finlay), who run a gloomy funeral parlour. There, Oliver has an altercation with the cocky Noah Claypole (Niamh Morgan-Haugh) and Charlotte (Lucia Quilter), the Sowerberrys’ maid, then escaping into the streets of London.
Here he meets the Artful Dodger (Katie Parkes), who welcomes him into the lively world of Fagin’s Gang. Fagin, played by Vida Bradbury, is a standout: a crafty, eccentric leader with a striped coat, scruffy demeanour and a missing tooth for added flair. Despite his questionable methods, Fagin is a father figure to his gang of orphan pickpockets, including Charley Bates (Matilda Hassell), and Bet (Sylvie Duggan-Haughey), whose excellent cockney accents delighted the crowd. Katie’s performance as the Artful Dodger is sharp, energetic and full of confidence.
During a pickpocketing demonstration gone wrong, Oliver is mistakenly blamed for stealing a wealthy gentleman’s handkerchief and is brought before the magistrate (Kaya Le Gouais). Oliver is eventually cleared of the accusation and taken in by Mr Brownlow (Rudy Welsh), who eventually realises Oliver is his grandson.
One of the evening’s highlight performances came from Giorgia Hope in the role of Nancy. Fierce, sassy and deeply emotional, she delivered a powerful portrayal of the beloved character. Her turbulent relationship with the fearsome Bill Sikes (Elliot Wilson) culminated in a heartbreaking murder scene that left many in the audience teary-eyed.
The costumes blew the audience away thanks to Miriam Hare. The set design and props transported the audience to gloomy London with incredible effort from Ruth Hare. Makeup and hair was immaculate, with thanks to Angela Fisher, Maddie Alexander, and Amy Hanna. This was certainly Raglan Theatre Academy’s best work yet!
