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10 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, November 15, 1988 'Oliver' cast makes a spectacular debut treated to a marvellous spectacle The Scugog Choral Society's production of "Oliver" opened at Town Hall 1873 last Thursday evening, and the packed house was of music, singing, dancing and acting. In fact, at the conclusion of Terry Paul gives a truly masterful performance as the wily Fagin, the leader of a band of youthful pick- pockets that roams the streets of London. a 4, di Vivian Lee and Don Taylor as the Widow Corney and Mr. Bumble In a humourous moment from the mu- sical "Oliver." the musical, most 1n the audience were on their feet clapping their hands in time with the music and in appreciation for a wonderful show. The musical is based of course on the famous Dickens novel Oliver Twist, the tale of a work- house orphan in Victorian Eng- land who falls in among the thieves and pick-pockets coached by the mischievous Fagin. The Choral Society's produc- tion is produced by Richard Drew and directed by Nina Foxall. Musical direction is by Dr. Tom Millar with musicians Kim Dick, Steve Smith and Peter Young. The acting by the lead charac- ters is first rate. Oliver is played by 11-year old Brad Goreski who brings together the combination of toughness, vulnerability and in- nocence. . Another 11-year old Kathleen Patillo, plays the Artful Dodger, a pick-pocket "extraodinaire" who befriends Oliver and introduces him to Fagin and his band of a Ly 3 te thieves. Kathleen as the Dodger looks and sounds like she just stepped out of slums of London. As for Fagin, Terry Paul gives a memorable performance skulking around the Stage in his rag-tag clothes, eyes shifting and peering over the specs that perch on the end of his prominent nose. Fagin is a blend of sly hu- mour, pathos and mischief and Terry plays the character to a tee. Rick De Jong as the evil Bill Sykes sends shivers up and down your spine. At times he is down- right scarey as he threatens and bullies in a booming voice; just the kind of nasty character one would hate to meet on a dark street comer in Dickens" London. Sheila Rogerson plays the bold, brassy and vulnerable Nancy who's in love with Bill Sykes. And in the end, she gives up her life trying to re-unite Oliver with his family. Sheila has worked with Oshawa Little Theatre for several years in such productions as West Side Story and Annie. Her singing voice is strong and clear for her several solos. Don Taylor as Mr. Bumble and Vivian Lee as the Widow Cor- ncy add some well timed humour to their scenes together. This is a large production with a cast of close to 50, includ- ing the street vendors in colourful costume, and the young children of Fagin's gang, dressed in their rags with faces streaked with grime. Full of energy and motion, the children are constantly scram- bling around the multi-level set with its painted back-drop of a grim-looking London. The Show was a sell-out opening night. In all, there are nine performances. The show will be staged this coming Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and the same nights the following week. Cur- tain is 8:00 PM. Tickets for the remaining per- formances have been selling brisk- ly, but there are a few left. For ticket info, call 985-7183. ca The opening scene In the workhouse where the kids are singing for thelr supper, gruel, of course. All they ever get is gruel. Oliver in a scene with Bet, played by Sarah Morris.