 Unless
you had been hiding or avoiding the box from March to July you are
probably aware of the Reality TV show “I’d Do Anything!” the live
UK wide search for the new West-End Nancy and Oliver.
Over the same period of time Limelight Productions had been
rehearsing their own version now showing at The Carnegie Hall Theatre
Dunfermline, at 7-15pm, 16th to 20th September
2008.
Action
packed from start to finish the main difference between this show and
the London production of “Oliver” is probably that Bullseye
– Bill Sikes' faithful canine companion is missing from the Fife
stage. Otherwise there are scenes which would certainly not be out of
place in the West-End. As
the characters of Oliver, the Artful Dodger, Nancy, Bet and Charlie are
all double cast, it is therefore dependant on which night you go to the
show, who you actually see.
 It
is really unfair to single out any particular performers but Michael
McFarlane’s Mr Bumble, David Mutch, Jacquline Hannan, Hollie Hastings
and Joseph Hannan as the Sowerberry funeral directorial party all add
extra comedy to the piece. George Hutchinson as Fagin is definitely more
of the lovable rogue rather than the manipulating vagabond. Gary Gibb
however is definitely the evil Bill Sykes I for one would not want to
meet him in a bad mood let alone on a dark night, his vocals and acting
are superb.
The
scenes that steal the show however are those including all the children
‘Food Glorious food’, ‘Consider Yourself’, ‘Who Will Buy’,
oh and ‘I’d do anything’ Nancy, Dodger, Oliver, Bet and Fagin’s
gang.
The
rehearsal period has not run particularly smoothly and despite many cast
changes some very last minute the show still goes on.
Not to mention the logistics of getting 40+ children plus the
adult cast to rehearsals, costuming, singing, the choreography and
direction of such numbers. My admiration goes out to Directors: Bobby
Mitchell and Claire Bloomfield, Directing assistant: Graeme Sharpe.
Musical Director: Margaret Moffat, Assistant to the Musical Director:
Alistair Moore. Choreographer: Clare Stewart,
 assistant choreographer
Laura McFadden.
Show
photographs by stagepics many thanks to Alan Potter for permitting us to use
them.
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